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This February, Rabbi Mordy Nemtzov of Chabad of Ojai and the Ojai Jewish Academy Inc. will offer “Decoding the Talmud,” a new six-session course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI).
Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at 311 Park Road, students will meet its main characters, explore its dynamic history, and engage in authentic Talmudic study. They will learn the key terms, logical principles, and historical context required to decipher the text of this 1,500-year-old work and discover how it has survived and thrived, continuing to fill Jewish study halls to this day. Interested students may call 805-613-7181 or visit myJLI.com/Learn/Ojai for registration and other course-related information.
Despite being one of the most essential texts in Judaism, many Jews struggle to explain what the Talmud really is. When asked about the Talmud, they find themselves at a loss for a clear answer. For a new learner, the Talmud can be intimidating and inaccessible, remaining a closed book for the masses. Decoding the Talmud aims to change that by demystifying the intricate world of the Talmud, the monumental classic that has shaped Jewish learning for centuries.
As Leib Moscovitz, professor of Talmud at Bar Ilan University, explained, the course addresses a critical need: “The Talmud is a difficult work, one which is extremely different from modern works of the law, yet at the same time, it has exerted a decisive influence on Jewish life and practice throughout the generations.”
Moscovitz further highlighted the courses’ importance: “Decoding the Talmud seeks to open the door to this remarkable work for students of all ages and backgrounds. As such, it makes an educational contribution of the highest importance for anyone who is and who should be interested in understanding and appreciating the Talmud.” The Talmud is the beating heart of Jewish scholarship.
Like all JLI programs, the course is designed to appeal to people at all levels of knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.