In honor of Shavuot, join Rabbi Bodner on Zoom in examining Talmudic attitudes towards accepting converts to Judaism.

“Where you go, I will go, wherever you lodge, I will lodge, your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” -The Book of Ruth

Shavuot marks the anniversary of the People of Israel accepting God’s commandments at Mt. Sinai. But what about those who weren’t born into the Jewish community and want to join? The Book of Ruth is traditionally read in synagogues on Shavuot, in part, because Ruth was understood to be the model convert to Judaism. In this class we will explore the Talmudic sages’ positions regarding the acceptance of converts to Judaism, specifically in relation to the Torah and the Covenant between God and the People of Israel.

Rabbi Aviad Bodner serves as Rabbi of Congregation Ramath Orah on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He earned an LLB in Law from Bar Ilan University and received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Before Ramath Orah, he served as Rabbi at Stanton Street Synagogue on the Lower East Side for five years (2014-2019). He also teaches at the Ramaz Upper school in the Tanach, Talmud and JLT departments.

This is a Zoom program. Please see the Zoom link in your order confirmation.

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