A major component of Jewish practice is the study of Torah and Jewish texts. Our tradition says that every word of Torah has seventy faces – seventy different ways of being interpreted and understood – for each individual. A famous saying goes, "turn it over and over again, because everything is contained in it."
The Jewish tradition stresses the importance of questioning over that of finding specific answers. The name given to our people, "Israel", literally means "one-who-wrestles-with-God". Throughout our history, that has meant struggling with difficulties we find in our world and our text, and especially with God. Continually questioning is what keeps our learning and dialogue alive and moving. Questioning, striving for new answers, new understandings, makes us who we are.
Every week, we’ll study traditional Jewish texts on a different topic relevant to our identity as Jews in our tradition and in the modern world. The texts come from Torah, Talmud (the Oral Law), and various later sources reaching all the way into modernity.
No previous knowledge is required to start studying with us. Every text is presented in English and, often, its original language. We usually start with an overview and background discussion of the topic, and then delve into the texts. Group discussion and debate is the goal – please bring your respectful opinions with you! The goal is informed and considerate dialogue on each of these topics.
Ask the Rabbi
One of the most important offshoots of this legacy is the tradition that no question is too simple, silly, and insignificant. If there is ANYTHING you have a (respectful) question about, please feel free to ask!
Another important offshoot of our questioning legacy is that no one will ever know all the answers. If I don’t know an answer to your question, I promise to find at least one, and hopefully more.
If you feel comfortable sharing your question and answer with everyone, let me know and we’ll put it on the OSU Hillel website to expand the circle of learning even further.
Email your questions to hillel@osu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!
