November 14th - Ruth: Wherever You Go ...

Greetings Boomers +/-,

In November we will explore the Book of Ruth.  Please use these resources as a preparation for our class or for follow-up from our discussion.

R.Mo

Resources on Ruth:

1. Basics from My Jewish Learning
2. Why Ruth is read on Shavuot
3. Jewish Encyclopedia entry on the Book of Ruth
4. Introduction to the Book of Ruth in the Interpreters' Bible
5. From Telushkin's: Biblical Literacy

October 10th - Job: Why Me? (Why Anybody?)

Here are some resources to learn more about the Book of Job:

1. Basics from My Jewish Learning
2. Some of the Introduction from Rabbi Solomon Freehof's translation
3. From Telushkin's: Biblical Literacy
4. From Ginzberg's: Legends of the Jews

September 19th - Ecclesiastes: Existential Musings

Greetings Boomers,

This month we will be exploring the musings/rantings of Ecclesiastes or Kohelet.  Enjoy these resources on the book and its history, tone and tenor in preparation for our time together or as a reflection from our time together.

Shana Tova!

R.Mo

Ecclesiastes Resources:

1. A primer on Jewish Wisdom Literature
2. Encyclopedic entry from the Jewish Encyclopedia
3. The book and its Sukkot connection
4. An overview of the contents of the book
5. Brief intro to authorship and content of the book

July 25 - Micah: The Vision

Greetings Boomers +/-!!

We are delving into our namesake this month as we study the prophet Micah. Here are some background resources should you like to read more about Micah before our session on July 26th.

R.Mo

Micah Resources:

1. Short Intro from Haftarah Commentary (1 page)
2. Basic Intro to Micah from Bible.org
3. Summary article on Micah from My Jewish Learning
4. Summary article on Micah from Chabad
5. Essay on Micah's 'Do Justly ... ' from Telushkin's Biblical Literacy

June 13: Ezekiel - Getting Back Up

Greetings Boomers +/-!

I am looking forward to our study of Ezekiel on July 13th.  I think that you will find Ezekiel a bit more engaging than we found Jeremiah.  Below are some resources about Ezekiel if you would like to do some reading before our session.

See you then!

R.Mo

Links:

1. Short essay on Ezekiel from The Haftarah Commentary
2. General background essay on Ezekiel from My Jewish Learning
3. Encyclopedic entry on Ezekiel from The Jewish Encyclopedia
4. Ezekiel and the Mystical Chariot(Merkava) from My Jewish Learning
5. Essay on Valley of Dry Bones text from Biblical Literacy
6. Ezekiel - Texts we will study together at our next session: Ch.1:1-28 & Ch. 37:1-14

May 9, 2013 - Jeremiah: There Is A Storm Coming

Greetings Boomers!

Here are some resources about Jeremiah in looking towards our next session.

R.Mo

• Brief background essay on Jeremiah from www.myjewishlearning.com
• Brief background essay on Jeremiah from the Haftarah Commentary
• Brief background essay on Jeremiah from Chabad
• Summaries of parts of the book of Jeremiah from Telushkin's Biblical Literacy
• Reflection on Jeremiah from Tikkun

April 11: Samuel - So, You Wanted A King?

Greetings Boomers +/-,

Here are some resources that you might find helpful and interesting in relation to our April session studying the Second Book of Samuel. These are meant as supplemental resources, to be read before or after the session. You will NOT need to read any of these to enjoy the session on 4-11.

General Background on the Book of Samuel:

• Timeline of Jewish Texts - Want to fit this Biblical book to its right place on the timeline, here is a source that does so using scholarly estimates. 
• The Book of Samuel - Article from www.myjewishlearning.com - short article summarizing the subject and themes of the book 
• Book of Samuel - Overview/Summary of Plot - from the Jewish Encyclopedia - a longer article that includes a summary of the plots points in the text. 
• A summary of Samuel from the Reform movement's Haftorah Commentary 

Important Figures in the Book of Samuel:

• An article on the namesake for this Biblical book (from www.jewishhistory.org)
• An article on the first king that Samuel chooses, Saul. (from www.jewishhistory.org)
• An article on the most important figure in the book of Samuel, David (from www.jewishhistory.org)
• An entry from Ginsberg's Legends of the Jews on Samuel and Saul
• An entry from Ginsberg's Legends of the Jews on David

Focusing on Texts We Will Study:

• The Jews ask for a king and Samuel's appointed to find him: I Samuel, Ch. 8 - We Want A King
• Summary on this text from Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's Biblical Literacy: Telushkin - King
• The encounter between David and Goliath: David and Goliath, I Samuel, Ch.17
• Summary on this text from Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's Biblical Literacy: Telushkin - Goliath
• The first king's (Saul) demise: Saul's Death - I Samuel, Ch. 31
• Summary on this text from Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's Biblical Literacy:Telushkin - Saul's Death
• King David's most ignominious moment: II Samuel, Ch. 11 - Batsheba and Uriah
• Summary on this text from Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's Biblical Literacy: Telushkin - Uriah