Deuteronomy: One God, One People, One Sanctuary, One Land I

Deuteronomy is unique among the 5 books of the Torah. We will begin with its historical context and the ways it rewrites earlier episodes in the history of Biblical Israel. Some of the topics we will explore include the Ten Commandments, the meaning of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, and the changing role of Moses as national leader. What is the significance of some of the approximately 200 new laws introduced by Deuteronomy? How does Deuteronomy understand Israelite history? How does it prepare the Israelites to live as a sovereign people in their own land after their experience of slavery in Egypt and wandering in the wilderness?

All texts will be provided in English and Hebrew. No previous knowledge of either Hebrew language or Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is required.

The classes will be held over Zoom.

The winter-spring semester will continue our study of topics in Deuteronomy.

Classes will be held on October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16, 23.

Dr. Regina Stein is the Morris Kaplan Scholar-in-Residence at the Museum at Eldridge Street. She has taught for Temple Emanu-El’s Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning, the Wexner Heritage Foundation, CLAL, the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel, the Academy for Jewish Religion, and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Dr. Stein is formerly the National Director of the Hadassah Leadership Academy.