Jews and Christians Study Together

When:
February 10, 2023 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
2023-02-10T09:30:00-05:00
2023-02-10T11:30:00-05:00
Where:
Zoom
Cost:
good-will donation

Jews and Christians Study Together

A Missing Link?

Wisdom for Living in between

the Hebrew Bible & the New Testament

Five Fridays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Zoom

Feb. 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10

The Wisdom of Shimeon ben Yeshua ben Sirach, written between 180-175 BCE provides a window in to the kind of personal and social, ethical and spiritual Jewish wisdom that forms the background of both Rabbinical Judaism, the ministry of Jesus and the rise of early Christianity. Sirach advises “Do not reject an afflicted suppliant, not delay your gift to a beggar” for example, and Jesus teaches “Give to those who ask, and turn not away from one who begs.”  Jesus says, “Do not lay up treasures” echoing Sirach’s “Do not set your heart on your wealth.”

Full of pithy proverbs, moral maxims, advice on manners and observations about society, the “Wisdom” of the “inter-testamental” period, reveal the application of Torah and Prophets to everyday life, “street smart” practicality that can inspire and instruct today.

Ben Sirach is part of the “inter-testamental” canon of Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Bibles, and was an important wisdom source for the early church writers. Because of its importance St. Jerome titled it  “Ecclesiasticus,” the “Church Book” in his Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible. Narrowly missing inclusion in the books of Hebrew Bible, it was known and used by the rabbis of the Talmudic period and later, some advocated its inclusion in the final version of the Hebrew Bible itself. Join us on Zoom for this five-week discussion of ancient wisdom for today’s living. Rabbi Avi Friedman & The Rev. Robert Corin Morris are our teachers and guides.

Co-Sponsored by Congregation Ohr Shalom and Interweave. 

Good will donation.  Zoom link will be sent to registrants.