Gems of the Talmud with Rabbi Avi Strausberg Part 1- Where Does True Power Reside?

The Talmud is full of rich aggadic stories that offer not only a window into the lives and times of the rabbis but narratives meant to teach us about our own lives. In this 4-part series, Rabbi Avi Strausberg touches on some of the lesser known Talmudic stories and mines them for their literary richness. From spurned dinner guests to miraculous ovens, from powerful leaders and the women who outsmart them, these stories delight, surprise, and even challenge our expectations. In our first session, we explore our own understandings of power, by turning to a rich agadda (story) from Massekhet Tamid. We see one of the most well-known conquerors in the world, Alexander the Great, in debate with the Sages as well as a city of women. Through these encounters, we uncover where true power really lies. Rabbi Avi Strausberg is the Senior Director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar and is based in Washington, DC. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College in Boston and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. Energized by engaging creatively with Jewish text, she maintains a Daf Yomi haiku blog as well as an Eish Kodesh poetry blog. Avi is most grateful for her wife, Chana, and three children, Ori, Niv, and Amit.