Dr. Christine Hayes, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Yale University, will be the scholar-in-residence at Temple Beth-El on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8. All are welcome to attend.
This year, participants in Rabbi A. Brian Stoller’s course on Jewish Classics read an excerpt from Hayes’s award-winning book What’s Divine About Divine Law.
As Temple Beth-El’s scholar-in-residence, the renowned expert in Talmud and rabbinic literature will speak about how the ancient sages believed that God invites our moral critique of the Torah and works with temple members hand-in-hand to bring new moral truths into the world.
“Christine Hayes is a brilliant and compelling scholar,” said Rabbi Stoller. “I find her ideas provocative and engaging, particularly for a Reform community like ours that struggles with the morally problematic aspects of our tradition.”
Hayes will present the Erev Shabbat sermon, Marriage and Other Metaphors, on Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m. After the service, the community is invited to enjoy sweet treats at the Oneg Shabbat.
Her sermon will explore how the talmudic rabbis describe God in shockingly human terms and how these metaphors express the distinctive character of Israel’s God.
“Dr. Hayes invites us to think about what it means to be in an ongoing, creative partnership with God to discover new moral and religious truths in the unique context of our own times,” explained Rabbi Stoller.
She will also lead Shabbat morning Torah Study on Saturday, June 8, at 9:15 a.m., which will focus on The Truth(s) About Torah.
Attendees will examine the talmudic rabbis’ countercultural approach to the debate regarding whether the Torah’s truth is eternal and unchanging, or if it unfolds over time.
Torah Study will be followed by a Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. and a delicious bagel brunch. The meal is complimentary, but please register at https://tinyurl.com/ChristineHayesBrunch to ensure that we have enough for everyone.
Founded in 1928, the peninsula’s first synagogue is located at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck. To learn more, call 516-487-0900, visit www.tbegreatneck.org or email info@tbegreatneck.org.
