Venue: Young Israel of Oceanside Young Israel of Oceanside

Machshava:

Mesorah,  Torah She-Ba'al Peh 

Description

This shiur explores the secret of Jewish survival through the lens of our sacred texts. Drawing on Moshe Halbertal’s framework in People of the Book, it argues that the canonization of the Tanach, Mishnah, and Talmud created a powerful combination of stability and flexibility—establishing a normative legal core while inviting continuous interpretation and engagement. Unlike other traditions, Judaism formed a text-centered community where study was a daily obligation for all, not just clergy, making the texts both the source of halacha and a vehicle for spiritual connection. Even as modern movements sought alternative foundations for Jewish identity, the enduring power of shared sacred texts remains a central force in preserving Jewish belonging, continuity, and vitality across generations.