Why do we hear 100 blasts of the shofar? What’s the story behind the “new fruit” on the second night of Rosh Hashanah—and why is there even a second night in Israel?
In this two-part in-depth halakhah class, we will explore two distinctive customs of Rosh Hashanah that raise important questions about how halakhic practice develops over time and in difference places. Beginning with the Talmudic sources, we will trace the evolution of each custom through the Rishonim and Aharonim, examining how practices not explicitly mandated in the Gemara became standard parts of our holiday observance.
The first session will focus on the shofar: why we sound it so many times and how the number 100 emerged as the norm. The second session will delve into the custom of eating a new fruit on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, including an exploration of the two-day Yom Tov practice even in Eretz Yisrael.
All are welcome. While no formal prerequisites are required, previous experience with Talmudic texts will enhance the learning. There will be some time dedicated to chavruta, or partnered study.
Two Mondays, 12:30-2PM Eastern
September 8th & 15th
Dr. Shana Strauch Schick is a lecturer in Talmud at Bar Ilan University. She has a PhD in talmud from Bernard Revel Graduate School, Yeshiva University and is a graduate of Stern College’s Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies.
