WEDNESDAY – The Hopes of Destiny & Failures of History: Sefer Melachim Bet – Second Book of Kings

Program: Hebrew College Me’ah Select
Instructor: Rabbi Benjamin Samuels (Read Bio)
Dates: 10 Wednesdays, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6 & 12/13
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $450, financial aid is available
Location: In person at Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley
Hosted by: Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley

We are living during a time of hyper-polarized politics; a loss of unifying shared history, values, and vision; and global events beyond our control that imperil our world order as we know it. Sefer Melachim Bet – the Second Book of Kings thus makes for a timely Torah study as we explore its resonant narratives and relevant themes. Second Kings tells of the ongoing division of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, ultimately leading to political dissolution and national exile. It reintroduces us to considerations of power and its perils, the challenges of wise leadership, the tensions between the spiritual and moral vision of the prophets and the compromised real-politik of kings, and the larger imperial webs of neighboring “super-powers” that overlay and overpower the destiny of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. More specifically, we will study the internecine fights for succession, including the bloody mutiny of Jehu. We will learn about the Assyrian destruction of Samaria, the exile of the Ten “Lost” Tribes, and the Siege of Jerusalem. We will carefully read the prophetic saga of Elisha the miracle worker, the idolatry of King Manasseh, and the religious revivals of Hezikiah and Josiah. Our interactive study will surely generate spiritual, moral, and political wisdom as a lens through which to view our biblical past and perhaps our present.

In our studies together, we will focus on a close reading of the biblical text and its medieval and modern commentary. We will aspire to understand events in their Ancient Near Eastern context, as well as their enduring depiction in Midrash. We will also study parallel treatments of our period of study by other biblical books, such as the prophecies of Isaiah and the alternate histories of Chronicles. Our discussions are interactive and exciting. We look forward to exploring the fascinating history of our people as we study Torah together.

For further information, contact Stuart Kleeman stuartkleeman@gmail.com