About the Bet Midrash

Dates & Time: Tuesday, June 14–July 19 | 8:00-10:00 PM ET | 7:00-9:00 PM CT | 5:00-7:00 PM PT

Teacher: Elaina Marshalek

Zoom Link: Access shiur here! (Meeting ID: 860 7843 1673)

About the text: What are the limits of consent in a world of coercion? In this sugya, the Rabbis explore notions of individual autonomy and rabbinic authority through case studies of selling personal property and marriage. In this shiur, we’ll look at how the Rabbis use (and create!) various interpretive tools to grapple with unjust transactions, and explore the implications of their approach for us today. This is a juicy mix of Hebrew and Aramaic–perfect for anyone who is eager to deepen their Aramaic and add new frameworks to their lexicon of radical rabbinic “moves.”

Content note: This text contains some explicitly misogynist themes about women being coerced into marriage in the time of the Rabbis.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Bet Midrash! We’re so thrilled to be learning with you in the coming weeks. We’ve designed this Bet Midrash as an opportunity for learners of all levels & experiences to explore Talmud or develop their learning skills in a rigorous and joyful queer-normative community as we learn to become players in, with, and through the tradition. 

If you’re new to learning with SVARA, please plan to attend the following:

• New SVARA-nik Orientation: This conversation will introduce you to SVARA and Rabbi Benay Lappe’s CRASH Talk as a framework for the Talmud study we engage in at SVARA. Join us Thursday, June 9th @ 8:00–10:00 PM ET | 7:00–9:00 PM CT | 5:00–7:00 PM PT. Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 833 7550 7327)

• How to Learn Talmud SVARA-Style: This introduction will be held 45 minutes before the first shiur of this bet midrash to explore how we learn Talmud in the SVARA method. Join us Tuesday, June 14 @ 7:15 PM ET | 6:15 PM CT | 4:15 PM PT at the same Zoom Link as shiur (Meeting ID: 860 7843 1673)

If at any point you’re feeling lost or could use an extra boost, reach out to Elaina or a fairy. You can also grab time in Fairy Hours where our team is available to connect one-on-one & offer support for your learning or whatever’s on your mind.

Using this Portal

This portal should have all of the goodies you need as we navigate our online learning together! Use the menu on the left to help you find what you’re looking for: our weekly text breakdown, important links, etc! We’ll add more content as we get closer to our start date.