Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud #1 - Collected Talks of David Solomon #94
In this Zoom lecture series, David explores several fascinating episodes described in the Talmud.
This first talk in the series discusses an unusual Talmudic incident involving disloyalty, self-righteousness, contempt, justice, death, restitution, escape, and consequences.
As with many stories from the Talmud, this incident is set during a time in Jewish history known as the Amoraic period - between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE - when the centre of Jewish life was in Babylonia. It concerns an investigation of a concept in halacha, Jewish law, known as mesirah - an action in which a Jewish person hands over another Jewish person or their property to a non-Jewish authority.
In the story, a rabbinical court (beth din) summons a man poised to inform on his neighbour to the Babylonian government. This man's disdain for the authority of the beth din results in unexpected and grave consequences.
David examines the details and text of this remarkable event as well as the context and significance of the Talmudic figures involved. He also:
- explains the relevance of the legal issue in its historical context
- draws parallels between these historical incidents and recent issues of Jewish law
- explores variations in definitions of right and wrong, justice and injustice
- describes and contextualises the figures described in the passage
- reminds us of the details and relevance of the historical setting in which the incident is set.
The Talmudic passage discussed in this lecture can be found towards the end of Tractate Bava Kamma, page 117a.
This lecture is the first in a four-part series presented via Zoom for Caulfield Shule in 2020 as part of its scholar-in-residence program. Other talks in the series can be found here:
Part 2: https://youtu.be/_esEYmeM1VQ
Part 3: https://youtu.be/KPSgrWhmWgw
Part 4: https://youtu.be/0qKQY3zN3ko
David is also renowned for his Jewish history lecture, The Whole of Jewish History in One Hour https://youtu.be/GUlM2a2tsOM
A video recording of David's lecture The Whole of the Bible in One Hour can be found here https://youtu.be/qIu_iZzuTfM
Find more of David Solomon's podcast, with dozens of lectures on Jewish history, the Bible, Jewish philosophy, and Kabbalah at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPZc8ZC7r568Er1pwL8ZiLbU1tV6PFf4L
Learn more at davidsolomon.online
Images used in this video
Youtube cover – comprising images below and a picture of David by Stephan Rohl under CC licensing http://www.stephan-roehl.de
Large image: Jewish Scene I by Carl Schleicher. Public domain.
This first talk in the series discusses an unusual Talmudic incident involving disloyalty, self-righteousness, contempt, justice, death, restitution, escape, and consequences.
As with many stories from the Talmud, this incident is set during a time in Jewish history known as the Amoraic period - between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE - when the centre of Jewish life was in Babylonia. It concerns an investigation of a concept in halacha, Jewish law, known as mesirah - an action in which a Jewish person hands over another Jewish person or their property to a non-Jewish authority.
In the story, a rabbinical court (beth din) summons a man poised to inform on his neighbour to the Babylonian government. This man's disdain for the authority of the beth din results in unexpected and grave consequences.
David examines the details and text of this remarkable event as well as the context and significance of the Talmudic figures involved. He also:
- explains the relevance of the legal issue in its historical context
- draws parallels between these historical incidents and recent issues of Jewish law
- explores variations in definitions of right and wrong, justice and injustice
- describes and contextualises the figures described in the passage
- reminds us of the details and relevance of the historical setting in which the incident is set.
The Talmudic passage discussed in this lecture can be found towards the end of Tractate Bava Kamma, page 117a.
This lecture is the first in a four-part series presented via Zoom for Caulfield Shule in 2020 as part of its scholar-in-residence program. Other talks in the series can be found here:
Part 2: https://youtu.be/_esEYmeM1VQ
Part 3: https://youtu.be/KPSgrWhmWgw
Part 4: https://youtu.be/0qKQY3zN3ko
David is also renowned for his Jewish history lecture, The Whole of Jewish History in One Hour https://youtu.be/GUlM2a2tsOM
A video recording of David's lecture The Whole of the Bible in One Hour can be found here https://youtu.be/qIu_iZzuTfM
Find more of David Solomon's podcast, with dozens of lectures on Jewish history, the Bible, Jewish philosophy, and Kabbalah at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPZc8ZC7r568Er1pwL8ZiLbU1tV6PFf4L
Learn more at davidsolomon.online
Images used in this video
Youtube cover – comprising images below and a picture of David by Stephan Rohl under CC licensing http://www.stephan-roehl.de
Large image: Jewish Scene I by Carl Schleicher. Public domain.
David Solomon
Published on Thu, July 22nd 2021