Course Description
The Rabbinic understanding of prayer reflects the Rabbinic understanding of time – time, for the rabbis of the Talmud, was rooted in the seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, the activities of daily life, and priestly worship in the Jerusalem Temple. This Havrutah invites us to experience this early sense of time and prayer using texts from the Talmud.
This course is 1 credit towards smicha
What You Will Learn
Students will be engaging with passages of the Talmud that describe birchot hashachar (morning blessings), tefilah biTzibur (public prayer), shabbat, and ancient worship in the Jerusalem Temple. Our attention will be on ways to integrate rabbinic understandings of time and prayer into our own contemporary work as rabbis, in order to enrich and further support the communities we serve.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be comfortable reading brief passages of the Talmud – translations will be made available.
Materials
The instructor will provide the texts
Credits Earned
1 elective credit towards smicha
Meeting Time Availability & Course Price
Available Meeting Times
Wednesdays 1:30 pm–8:30 pm (Eastern)
Thursdays 7 pm–8:30 pm (Eastern)
Course Price
$450 for five 75-minute lessons
Payment Methods Accepted
Venmo, Zelle, or check
Getting Started
Reach out to Rabbi Alison Brody by email: rabbibrody@runbox.com
Meet Your Instructor
Rabbi Alison Brody studied at The Jewish Theological Seminary and Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk, and has taught Talmud and Midrash in high school and adult education programs. Rabbi Brody works as a community chaplain with people in nursing care facilities and prisons, providing religious advocacy and support.
Smicha, Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk
MSW, Yeshiva University
Learning Verification Method
- Students will prepare one teaching and one guided rabbinic conversation, each of which helps to bring the rabbinic understanding of time and prayer into contemporary life.
- When you complete the havrutah, have your educator fill out the form below and give it back to you. Please provide the form to them if they do not already have it. Then upload the filled-out Brit Limmud to the quiz associated with this havrutah course.
