Rabbi Berger will be teaching 3 Classes at Siegel College of Jewish Studies. The Topics are as follows:

TALMUD , TRACTATE BAVA BATRA :

NEIGHBORS AND PARTNERS

Moshe Berger

Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 am/EST

13-week course begins Sept. 10

Course #RAB343/543 Cost: $285 (senior rate $243)

This course will examine selections from the first two chapters of Tractate Bava Batra of the Babylonian Talmud. These chapters address specific issues in human relations such as: the right to privacy, the need to limit one’s own activities out of consideration for neighbors, ethical and emotional factors in dividing an estate among siblings, and social welfare (taxation and distribution). In addition, they describe how the rabbis decided which books to include in the biblical canon, how and why Herod rebuilt the Second Temple, and insights into the Book of Job. Texts are available in original and in an excellent English translation with commentary. No knowledge of Hebrew is required. Note: Although this course is a continuation of the

course presented in spring 2008, it is self-contained and open to all. We plan to study material from these chapters which we did not study in the

previous course.

BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD

Moshe Berger

Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:30 pm/EST

13-week course begins Sept. 10

Course #RAB405 Cost: $285 (senior rate $243)

In seven folio pages, Tractate Kiddushin presents numerous

discussions, analyses, and anecdotes regarding parental and

filial responsibilities. These pages also address teacher-student

relationships.

SOLOVEITCHIK ON JEWISH-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS

Moshe Berger

Mondays, 7:30 – 9:30 pm/EST

13-week course begins Sept. 14

Course #THO309/509 Cost: $285 (senior rate $243)

Forty-five years ago, as a result of a policy decision rendered by the Second Vatican Council, representatives of the Catholic Church approached Jewish leaders worldwide requesting that the two faith communities enter into “respectful theological dialogue” regarding the differences and the similarities between two

religions. Historically, the church had used theological “dialogues”as attempts to convert Jews. This course will critically examine

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s eloquent and multifaceted response to this initiative, in light of his own world view, and especially in light of the fact that in his own writings he often quoted Christian theologians with great respect. We shall also consider alternative Jewish responses to the Vatican’s request. The course will serve as a general introduction to the life and thought of one of the mostinfluential modern Orthodox thinkers of the twentieth century.