Shavuot is a captivating holiday with dual significance. On one hand, it holds a legal aspect, emphasizing the giving of the Torah through the reading of the Ten Commandments. On the other hand, it embraces a human dimension through the Book of Ruth, a narrative centered around the harvest and the acts of kindness within the community. This course will emphasize the complementary nature of both aspects. First, we’ll examine various models of revelation and the different aspects of the Ten Commandments. Then, we will shift our focus to realization, delving into the practical challenges when living a Torah-guided life in society, as seen in the Book of Ruth.
Through these texts, the course will address questions such as: What does it look like practically for a society to live accordingly to Torah law? What needs to shift and what accommodations need to be made? What messages do we get from both the law and narrative sections of Torah?
Sarah Gordon is the Senior Director of Israel Education – AMER for Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media. Previously, Sarah served as the Director of Israel Guidance and Experiential Education at Ma’ayanot High School, where she taught Talmud, chaired a course on Contemporary Israel, and brought her vision and creativity to a wide range of school programs. Sarah holds dual masters degrees in Jewish Education and Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University, where she spent two years studying in the GPATS program, and where she is currently pursuing her Ed.D as a Wexner Fellow. Sarah lives in Teaneck, NJ, with her husband, Nafi Schwarzenberger, and their two children.
