How do we read and understand our sacred texts, some of them written more than three thousand years ago? We do this through midrashim, both legal and narrative – the word midrash coming from a Hebrew root that means “to interpret.” For example, Adam’s first wife Lilith doesn’t appear in the Torah – but she comes to life in midrashim, as do the tales of Elijah the Prophet, who visits our homes on Passover.  

In the first class we’ll be exploring what midrashim are, why they are, and, with a focus on narrative midrashim, you’ll be hearing a few old stories and a few new ones, chosen to illuminate the ways that we and our ancestors sought and seek to make sense of puzzling, contradictory, or fragmentary texts. We’ll be doing this with some attention to the collective journey we’ll soon be taking in celebrating Passover, the primary story-telling holiday of the year.  

In the second class you’ll be hearing a few more stories, and then you’ll have the opportunity to write a midrash of your own – which may be grounded in Torah, Tanach, or any other Jewish text including novels, poems, and even films. Note-taking is always welcome, and please bring something to write on and with to the second class. The first class is required to participate in the second class. Please join us even if you’ve never written a story before in your life – and please bring a photograph of one of your ancestors with you.  

Click HERE to register for both part 1 and part 2.