Celebrating Shabbat - Holy Blossom Temple

8
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Like the scroll itself, Holy Blossom’s Torah class, at
9 am in the Board Room before Shabbat services,
has neither an end nor a beginning. It unrolls year
after year and that is one of its delights, of which
there are many, including coffee and honey cake
beforehand, where there is always a good schmooze.
Most of the 30-40 participants have a cup in hand
– or their own personal Starbucks – when Senior
Rabbi John Moscowitz strides in promptly, articles
or books in hand for the class that day.
The prayer for learning Torah is said and class
begins. Participants take their spot around the
board table that has become by custom ‘theirs.’
It’s a comfortable, young-at-heart group, which
welcomes all participants; no distinction is drawn
between veterans and newcomers. There are family
groupings, single members, couples, visitors, friends
and guests.
“ It’s a comfortable,
young-at-heart group, which
welcomes all participants”
On any given day, one might see distinguished
visitors such as Rabbi Steven Leder, visiting scholar
from Los Angeles’ Wilshire temple, who wowed the
class with his witty erudition. It was a lucky break
to have personal time with this outstanding speaker.
Rabbi Ed Goldfarb teaches the group occasionally
and Rabbi Karen Thomashow was also warmly
welcomed as she took her turn at the lectern this
year.
Rabbi Moscowitz’s method is to be gentle but
thought provoking. It’s not about the parsha (or
portion) particularly; it’s more about the issues,
ideas and background that help us understand all
portions and Jewish learning itself. Most of these
ideas come from our Senior Rabbi’s vast knowledge
of Jewish scholarship and he has introduced us to
Richard Rotman
the greats—Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik especially,
and many others, including Maimonedes, and
recently Jacob Neusner’s Understanding Rabbinic
Judaism. Currently we are learning to understand
the Talmud and over the fall season, the class looked
at the importance of language in understanding
Jewish thought during the High Holidays.
After Rabbi Moscowitz prepares the ground, a
lively discussion almost always ensues. Participants
ask questions and offer comment and that starts a
debate, with disputation, humour and insight. Best
of all, there’s no preparation necessary—and no
homework, though the articles the Rabbi hands out
are often taken home to be read and savoured.
“I encourage anyone who has thought of joining
the class to not be shy give it a chance,” Rabbi
Moscowitz said. “There’s a place for you. It’s a
great step toward fulfilling a mitzvah and joining
a passionate learning community. Call my office
and we will arrange a proper welcome for your first
day—which we hope will be the first of many.”
Holy Blossom Temple