Hamilton Beit Midrash

Illustration: Cee Bea Lavery

 

New! Summer Session 2021: August 22 - 26

Elul 14 - 18 5781

 

Theme of the Year: Accumulation/Dispersal

Registration Now Open

 

Program outline:

 

In the mornings, our Talmud program will run from 9 - 11:15. That's one hour of havruta (partnered learning), a wee break, and shiur (lecture/work-checking) together. Attendees of previous summer intensives will agree that this will be hard work, but fully supported and incredibly rewarding. Expect juicy texts from Masekhet Yoma, a tractate which deals largely with Yom Kipur.

In the afternoons, we will have a number of classes interlocking with this year's general theme of accumulation/dispersal (as in merit, wrongdoing, justice, resources). Afternoon classes usually require less translation work, but are just as delightfully intense. This year, a number of very special teachers are lined up to talk, though the final schedule is still awaiting confirmation, including some dear mentors of my own.

It is strongly encouraged to attend the full program, so that you can reap all the benefits of being in an immersive environment. However, you can also just attend the morning Gemara seder, or afternoon classes if that's your preference.

Write to reserve your spot (hamiltonbeitmidrash at gmail) and register, if you have not already done so. Get your friends to come so they can have a great time! Get your enemies to come so they can evolve as human beings! Get your neutrals to come so they can reveal their personal strengths and become great friends to you, too!

Full schedule coming soon. See below for additional information.

Tumah/tahorah-themed study art by Cesario Lavery

Learn Talmud deeply and well at the Hamilton Beit Midrash, a volunteer-run program hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue (375 Aberdeen Ave, Hamilton, Ontario). The style of learning we offer is your chance to immerse yourself in rabbinic literature, sharpen your skills, and see the world with new eyes. You can master a text, rather than have a translator filter it for you. You can reforge your relationship with Judaism with depth and joyous authenticity.

A beit midrash is a place where people come together to get to the bottom of texts, both in havruta (with study partners) and in shiur (lesson with the whole group). You are invited to join ours! Write to us for an application form today.

 

Overview

Hamilton Beit Midrash operates on two levels: a weekly year-long program on Sunday nights, and a summer intensive from a Sunday to a Thursday in August.

The general format of the summer intensive is this: we work on Talmud in the morning, and in the afternoon we will work with texts that relate to some of the questions we have been raising. On Thursday night we have historically finished up with a festive get-together, where participants will be able to share the ideas they have been developing during their time in the Beit Midrash.  


For a good idea of what to expect, please check out:

HBM 2020
HBM 2019 Schedule
HBM 2018 Schedule

You can also peruse this astonishing poem about the 2018 Hamilton Beit Midrash summer intensive.

Eligibility

Any Jewish adult can apply. It is important that whatever your observance level, your orientation toward "tradition" be seen by you as basically non-adversarial.

Knowing how to sound out Hebrew letters is good. Knowing basic grammar (recognising plurals, common verb patterns, etc) is even better. You do not need to be fluent nor experienced in Talmud study.

Beth Jacob is a barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible space.

Fees

This year, since it is online, no food will be provided. Therefore there is no fee, as it is forbidden to teach oral Torah for money.