"Anatomy of the Mitzvot" is a weekly class with Rabbi Norbert Weinberg, Rabbi of the Adams Street Shul.  It begins Wednesday, November 5th, and runs weekly thereafter.  Each class can stand independently from the others; and there are no prerequisites.

The discussions will be based on the famous Sefer HaChinuch (Book of Education). We are not sure who the author of this fascinating book is.  It was published anonymously in 13th Century Spain, and its author has retained a measure of anonymity.  He simply described himself as a "Jew from the tribe of Levi."  The first printed edition of this book appeared in 1523 in Venice. Most believe that the author's name was Aaron.

The author states that he wrote the book for his young son, so that the son and his friends would be able to discuss the weekly Torah portion on each Shabbat.  The book lists and discusses each commandment (mitzvah), in the order that it appears in the Torah. 

The book separately discusses each of the 613 commandments, both from a legal and a moral perspective.  For each, the discussion starts by linking the mitzvah to its Biblical source, and then addresses the philosophical underpinnings of the commandment.  Following this, the Sefer HaChinuch presents a brief overview of the practical Jewish law governing its observance - usually based on Maimonides's Mishneh Torah - and closes with a summary as to the commandment's applicability.

We will find great insights in the mitzvot with this book as a base and with Rabbi Weinberg as our guide.

The class will be each Wednesday, from 7:30 to 8:30pm, at 186 Linwood Avenue.  Tea and cake will be served.  Make an effort to spend an hour together in congenial Torah study.

Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)