for an Engaged Crowd of Adult Learners: 

Diverse interpretations of Bible Stories can empower us to engage more constructively in disagreements today!

Mahloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively uses the “chevruta" method (study pairs) who critically study together and discover that the divergent interpretations of the sages are expressed as a mahloket, conflicting opinions, on every page of classic Jewish texts. Both the content and the method of studying these texts can be used to increase the desire and ability to understand and engage more constructively with conflicting political opinions today, improving civil discourse.

Each unit examines a central question, presented through the lens of a biblical conflict story, with all of its textual ambiguities, and the classic commentaries on the story. We consider contradictory historical precedents  to support or refute opposing responses to the central question of the unit and then conclude by considering contradictory news from a recent event.

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·         11/11/20 – Meet or Refuse to Meet? From Korah and Moses to Political Adversaries Today

·         11/18/20 – Fear War or Trust Peace? From Jacob and Esau through Chamberlain and Menachem Begin to Today

·         12/2/20 – Xenophobia or National Security? From Pharaoh and the Israelites through Japanese Internment to Today

·         12/9/20 – Coexist or Separate? From Isaac and Ishmael to Israelis and Palestinians Today

·         12/16/20 – “Fake News” or Uncovering the Truth? From Joseph and his brothers through Jefferson and Hamilton to Today