On Knowledge, Labor and Work in The Bible
Rabbi David Silber
David Silber is the founder and dean of Drisha Institute for Jewish Education in New York and Israel. Rabbi Silber received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a recipient of the Covenant Award, for excellence in innovative Jewish education, and is the author of A Passover Haggadah: Go Forth and Learn (Jewish Publication Society 2011), For Such a Time as This: Biblical Reflections in the Book of Esther (Koren Publishers 2017), and Malkhut Adam: Iyunim Bsefer Shmuel (Maggid 2021). He is also a nationally acclaimed lecturer on the Bible. Rabbi Silber is married to Dr. Devora Steinmetz. They have eight children and live in New York City.
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In these sessions, we will explore the Torah’s treatment of the notion of knowledge (da’at), and its evaluation of human engagement in various forms of labor and work. What do these terms mean in the Torah? Is work seen as an ideal engagement or a concession to realities? Would the Torah want to see a world without work?