Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa
A Journey Through Jewish Law, History, and Human Experience
How does Jewish law respond to real-life dilemmas across time, place, and circumstance? In Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa, we explore thirty fascinating, real-world cases spanning centuries of Jewish history to uncover how halacha actually works.
Through gripping storiesâ€"from medieval Europe to the Holocaust, from ancient marketplaces to modern technologyâ€"we gain insight into the people behind the questions, the rabbis who answered them, and the enduring wisdom that keeps Torah relevant in every era.
Across six engaging sessions, participants will explore:
• The People Behind the Questions
Discover what the questions themselves reveal about Jewish life, values, fears, and hopes across history.
• The Quest for Facts
See how rabbis investigate reality–medical, social, and practical—before issuing a ruling.
• How Torah Stays Relevant
Learn the precise process through which ancient Talmudic principles guide modern life.
• When the Exception Becomes the Law
Uncover surprising rulings that reveal Judaism’s built-in safeguards for dignity, compassion, and family harmony.
• Answering the Whole Person
Explore how legal decisions account for emotional, social, and communal realities—not just abstract rules.
• Responsa from the Future
Examine contemporary and emerging questions, including artificial intelligence, lab-grown meat, and cutting-edge technology.
This course offers a rare window into Jewish law as a living, dynamic system—deeply rooted in tradition, yet fully engaged with the real world.
Course Details:
Tuesdays:
- January 20, 27
- February 3, 10, 17, 24
Time: 7:30–8:30 PM
Location: Mercer Island (address will be sent to you via email following submitting information)
Cost per person (includes 1 textbook): $50
Cost per couple (includes 2 texbooks): $80
Sponsor: $100
Register by January 10 to receive an early bird 10% discount!
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