Judaism's Top Talks

Join us on a journey through the rich history of Talmudic manuscripts and print editions. You will learn that although we don’t have manuscripts that can be definitively dated to before the twelfth century, a discerning eye can use extant manuscripts to hear distinct echoes of much older ones. Delve into the fascinating stories linked to the little-known Spanish and Portuguese printings that coincided with the end of Jewish life on the Iberian Peninsula and to Soncino’s controversial decision to place Tosafos on the page of the Gemara. Discover the introduction of folio numbers by Daniel Bomberg, and join us in the search for the first rabbi to utilize this revolutionary system. Finally, we’ll delve into the heartbreaking story of the burning of the Talmud in 1553 and the draconian censorship that followed, culminating in the notorious Basel edition.   This session took place at the 17th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Unlock the history and development of Jewish law from Mount Sinai to modern times in this overview of 3,000 years of Jewish legal thinking. This session took place at the 17th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Dreams can feel real and significant but they can also be products of our imagination. How can we distinguish between meaningful dreams and those to be disregarded? How can we interpret our enigmatic dreams and address the unsettling ones? It’s time to explore this topic through the lens of the Talmud and kabbalah.   This session took place at the 17th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Discover the fascinating Jewish debates on questions of medical morality throughout history, from the ethics of reproduction to the question of when life ends. This session took place at the 17th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Gain insights and tools for boosting your sense of happiness and connection through gratitude, kindness, and social interaction. This session took place at the 17th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.