Rabbi Richard Hirsh teaching "Ancient Israel and Contemporary Parallels for Modern Jewish Life"

In this course we looked at three significant transitional moments in the life of ancient Israel and contemporary parallels.  We looked at these moments through three key personalities:

Moses (c. 1100 BCE), Jeremiah (c. 600 BCE), and Ezra (c. 450 BCE)

Through the life of Moses we looked at how the religion of ancient Israel differentiated itself from the dominant surrounding culture.  Through the life of Jeremiah we looked at how the Israelite people navigated reconstructing their collective identity during a period of turmoil, trauma and upheaval.  Through the life of Ezra we looked at how the Jewish people reorganized its collective life around sacred text and also struggled with communal boundaries in what today we would call an "open society."

Rabbi Richard Hirsh is the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and teaches at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.  

Here is are links to audio recordings of Rabbi Richard Hirsh teaching "Ancient Israel and Contemporary Parallels for Modern Jewish Life" at Beth Israel in May, 2014.
 

Teaching First Week 

Teaching Second Week, Part 1
Teaching Second Week, Part 2

Teaching Third Week