These are the (different) words: Parashat Devarim (July 23, 2020)

Ruach HaYam teaching presented by Penina Weinberg
July 23, 2020
At 6:45pm ET, meeting will be open for logging in, schmoozing and solving any technical issues. [see below for details]
Study begins at 7:15 ET.

——>>>>>> Zoom login can be found in the Ruach HaYam study room
https://www.studywithpenina.com/ruach_hayam
——>>>>>> Only recognized names will be admitted to Zoom meeting. Please be sure to RSVP

Image is Deuteronomy, decorated initial-word panel from BL Harley 7621, f. 254v. Date 1450-1474 c British Library

Devarim is partly a restatement of the history to date of the Israelites, but told in a new way. Why does it change? How does the text (or Moses?) rewrite history and memory? What can we learn about modern day re-writing of history? Join us for a lively deep dive into the first portion of Devarim, quite logically called Parashat Devarim.

Devarim 1:16—18: [Moses speaking to the Israelites]
“I commanded your judges at that time saying, hear out the cases of your brethren and adjudicate righteously between a man and his fellow and the immigrant residing with him (גר). Do not be partial in judgment: hear out the small as well as the large. Fear no man, for judgment is God’s. And any case that is too difficult for you, you shall bring it to me and I will hear it.

Penina Weinberg is an independent Hebrew bible scholar whose study and teaching focus on the intersection of power, politics and gender in the Hebrew Bible. She has run workshops for Nehirim and Keshet and has been teaching Hebrew bible for 10 years. She has written in Tikkun and HBI blog, and is the leader and founder of Ruach HaYam.

*** Ruach HaYam https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ruach.HaYam/ study sessions provide a queer Jewish look at text, and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ and allies, to any learning or faith background, to all bodies, and friendly to beginners***