Shylock: A Torah Consideration

Service Description

Shylock: A Halachic and Hashkafic Consideration Is there any positive hashkafic reason or justification to devote any time, thought, or energy to reading classical world literature? The answer seems obvious. And, yet, no less a Torah giant than R’ Zevin, zt”l – author of the extraordinary Moadim BaHalachah and founding editor of the monumental multi-volume Encyclopedia Talmudit – wrote a halachic analysis of Shakespeare’s story “The Merchant of Venice,” in which he reveals more than a passing familiarity with the Shakespearean canon. Apparently, he could justify allocating some time and thought to reading Shakespeare. Another Torah giant, R’ Shlomo Wolbe, zt”l, discusses how we, as Torah Jews, are expected to relate to the beauty of Shakespeare’s work. In this course, we will consider the larger question of the permissibility of, and potential value in, reading classical world literature, and we will focus on Shakespeare’s work. Along the way we will encounter some surprising facts, and perhaps conclude the course with a shocking revelation. Recordings will be available for this course. Dates (10 sessions): Oct 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15, 22