Ongoing Shiurim
Look for Teshuvot from the 2024 SBM in the next few months!
27th Annual Summer Beit Midrash
July 2 - August 11, 2023
Young Israel of Sharon, Sharon, MA
Join us for the 27th annual Summer Beit Midrash, the Center for Modern Torah Leadership's flagship program!
Past Events
2017-2018
Men's Winter Break Beit Midrash
Monday, January 15 - Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 9AM-9PM
The Jewish Center, New York, NY
CMTL was pleased to host the 2018 Men's Winter Break Beit Midrash. Main Seder was Talmudic Sugyot on Tzivui, Afternoon Seder was Teshuvot related to Heter Me'ah Rabbanim, and Night Seder was various Aggadot.
Facebook event Flyer Blog post about event More information
Women's Winter Break Beit Midrash
Tuesday, January 2 - Thursday, January 4, 2018
The Jewish Center, New York, NY
CMTL was pleased to host the 2018 Women's Winter Break Beit Midrash. Main Seder was Talmudic Sugyot on Kavod, Afternoon Seder was Teshuvot related to Heter Me'ah Rabbanim, and Night Seder was various Aggadot.
Facebook event Flyer Blog post about event More information
Shabbat of Ethics at Stern College for Women
Friday, December 29 - Shabbat, December 30, 2017
Stern College for Women, New York NY
Rabbi Klapper joined the Shabbat Enhancement Committee at Stern College for Women for a Shabbaton about Ethical Challenges Facing the Modern Orthodox Community.
Rabbi Klapper's Shiurim:
Minchah/Maariv: "Akeidat Ploni: A Midrashic Counterhistory"
Leil Shabbat Oneg: Open Q&A about "Ethical Challenges Facing Modern Orthodoxy"
Drasha: "Human Dignity and the Economics of the Modern Orthodox Community:
Kiddush: "Seeing the Tears of the Halakhically Oppressed: Approaches to Agunah and Mamzerut Issues"
Pre-Minchah: "Lashon Hora and the Religious Necessity of Investigative Journalism"
Limmud UK
Sunday, December 24-Thursday, December 28, 2017
Pendigo Lake, near Birmingham, UK
Rabbi Klapper presented numerous talks at Limmud UK.
Monday 16:00 "How to Understand Talmud"
Tuesday 12:20 "Should Torah Scholars Have Authority?
Tuesday 17:30 "Daf Yomi - Shevuot 28"
Tuesday 18:50 "Seeing the Tears of the Halakhically Opressed"
Wednesday 09:20 "Intermarriage - The State of the Debate"
Why is Rabbinic Law Possible?
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at JLIC at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Rutgers Mesorah, New Brunswick, NJ
Rabbi Klapper gave a Shiur to college students across the country about "Why is Rabbinic Law Possible?"
Rutgers Facebook event Rutgers audio
What is the Nature of Halakhah in Halakhic Man?
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Bernard Revel Graduate School, Yeshiva University, New York, NY
According to Halakhic Man, Halakhic Men consider deciding practical Jewish law to be a small, insignificant responsibility which does not stand at the center of their concerns. If so, what aspect of Halakhah does stand at the center of their concerns? Rabbi Klapper gave a lecture at the Bernard Revel Graduate School which approached this question by integrating the descriptions and philosophic analyses of Torah study in Halakhic Man with the Rav's conceptual/halakhic treatment of relevant issues in his shiurim. This integration generated a compelling new reading of the book and opened new avenues for understanding the Rav and his thought.
Scholar in Residence at University of Pennsylvania
Friday, November 17 - Shabbat, November 18, 2017
Penn OCP, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Aryeh Klapper and Morah Deborah Klapper were Scholars in Residence at Penn. Shiurim by Rabbi Klapper included "Kant and a Chasid Walk Into a Bar" and "Halakhah and Ethics: A Case Study". Morah Klapper spoke about "Parents Playing Favorites? The Story of Esav and Yaakov" and "What Harry Potter Contributes to My Understanding of Torah". Lunch featured a conversation about "What is the Religious Value of a College Education".
BaMakom SheBaalei Teshuvah Omedim: Perek Chelek - An Analysis of the Aggadita and the Nature of Machloket
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Bet Shemesh Community Bet Midrash Program, Bet Shemesh, Israel
As part of his Israel trip, Rabbi Klapper gave a public Shiur at the Bet Shemesh Communiy Bet Midrash.
Rabbi Klapper in Israel
November 7-14, 2017
Israel
Rabbi Klapper visited numerous Yeshivot and Midrashot across Israel, including Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi, Yeshivat Orayta, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Yeshivat Har Etzion, Nishmat, Yeshivat Maale Gilboa, SKA Migdal Oz, and Midreshet Torah V'Avodah.
Does Physical Disability Mean Anything? A Model Discussion About Halakhah & Values
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Harvard Hillel, Cambridge, MA
Rabbi Klapper gave a lunch-and-learn at Harvard Hillel, touching on topics from the past summer's SBM.
Repentance and Character: An Evening of Torah Conversation
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Congregation Kadimah - Toras Moshe, Brighton, MA
Rabbi Klapper spoke at Kadimah's Rabbi Abraham Halbfinger Z"L Memorial Aseret Yemei Teshuva Program. Also on the panel were Rabbi Jason Strauss, Rabbi of Kadimah, and Rabbi Barry Hartman, Rabbi Emeritus of Ahavat Achim in New Bedford.
Summer 2017
Summer Beit Midrash 2017 - Main Shiur
July 2, 2017-August 11, 2017
Young Israel of Sharon, Sharon, MA
SBM spent its 21st summer learning about "Mental Disabilities in Jewish Law."
Meet the fellows
Follow along with the Shiurim
Summaries: Week One Week Two Week Three Week Four Week Five Shayla
More information
Case Studies in Jewish End-of-Life Ethics
Monday, July 10; Tuesday, July 18; Tuesday, July 25; Tuesday, August 8
Young Israel of Sharon, Sharon, MA
Rabbi Klapper will gave a four-part series to the Sharon community in conjunction with the Young Israel of Sharon's Tuesday Night Torah program.
Monday, July 10: "Tereifah, Goses, Zombie: Defining Key Halakhic Terms and Their Implications" Facebook event Sourcesheet Audio
Tuesday, July 18: "Autopsies: Halakhah on the Cutting-Edge of Medical History" Facebook event Sourcesheet Audio
Tuesday, July 25: "Of Woodchoppers & Flickering Flames: Challenging the 'Active-Passive' Distinction Facebook event Sourcesheet
Tuesday, August 8: "Brain Death & Organ Transplantation" Facebook event Sourcesheet Audio
SBM at Congregation Kadimah - Toras Moshe
Monday, July 17; Friday-Sunday, July 21-23; Monday, July 24; Tuesday, August 1; Wednesday, August 2
Congregation Kadimah - Toras Moshe, Brighton, MA
Throughout the summer, fellows gave Shiurim at Kadimah in Brighton. This was highlighted by a Shabbaton at Kadimah, which concluded with a Shiur by Rabbi Klapper on "Halakhic Morality and Mental Disability".
Facebook event Rabbi Klapper's Sourcesheet Rabbi Klapper's Audio
Mikvah, Accessibility, and Inclusion
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Young Israel of Sharon, Sharon, MA
Rabbi Dov Linzer, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, came to speak to the Sharon community about Mikvah, Accessibility, and Inclusion.
2016-2017
Yemei Iyun on Bible and Jewish Thought
Sunday, June 25 2017 - Monday, June 26, 2017
SAR High School, Riverdale, NY
Rabbi Klapper spoke at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah's Yemei Iyun on Bible and Jewish Thought. The Center for Modern Torah Leadership cosponsored the program.
Rabbi Klapper's Shiurim:
Monday, 2:15-3:15 PM "Why Did Moshe Send Yitro Away?"
Monday, 3:30-4:30 PM "Was the Six Day War a Miracle?: What If Anything Can Make History Meaningful"
Rabbi Klapper in Jerusalem
Friday, May 5, 2017
Kehilat Yedidya, Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Klapper gave a public shiur on "Can There Be a Halakhah Independent of Ethics?".
Rabbi Klapper at Nishmat
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Nishmat, Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Klapper spoke to the students of Nishmat about "Is it Forbidden to Use Physical Metaphors for G-d? A Case Study in the Relationship among Truth, Law, and Authority".
Rabbi Klapper at Yeshivat Har Etzion
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Yeshivat Har Etzion, Alon Shevut, Israel
Rabbi Klapper spoke to the students of the Gush about "What Sorts of Issues Can Be Paskened, and What Sorts Can't?"
Rabbi Klapper at Yeshivat Orayta
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Yeshivat Orayta, Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Klapper spoke to the students of Yeshivat Orayta about "The Rav's Understanding of Semikhah".
Rabbi Klapper at Midreshet Lindenbaum
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Midreshet Lindenbaum, Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Klapper spoke to the students of Midreshet Lindenbaum about "Is it Forbidden to Use Physical Metaphors for G-d? A Case Study in the Relationship among Truth, Law, and Authority".
Rabbi Klapper in Beit Shemesh
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Home of Miriam Friedman Zussman, Beit Shemesh, Israel
Rabbi Klapper gave a public shiur about "When Ethics Challenge Emunah".
Rabbi Klapper at Midreshet Ein HaNetziv
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Midreshet Ein HaNetziv, Kibbutz Ein HaNetziv, Israel
Rabbi Klapper spoke to the students of Midreshet Ein HaNetziv about "Is it Forbidden to Use Physical Metaphors for G-d? A Case Study in the Relationship among Truth, Law, and Authority".
Rabbi Klapper at Yeshivat Maale Gilboa
Shabbat, April 28-29, 2017
Yeshivat Maale Gilboa, Maale Gilboa, Israel
Rabbi Klapper gave a Shiur to the students at Yeshivat Maale Gilboa on "Is it Forbidden to Use Physical Metaphors for G-d? A Case Study in the Relationship among Truth, Law, and Authority".
Advanced Brisk for Beginners
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Congregation Or Torah, Skokie, IL
Rabbi Klapper spoke before Minchah on the second day of Pesach about Rav Chayim Soloveitchik on the Obligation to Eliminate Chametz.
Morality and the Memory of Mitzrayim
Shabbat, April 8, 2017
Kehilat Chovevei Tzion, Skokie, IL
Rabbi Klapper spoke at Shalosh Seudot, based on an article he wrote recently for the Jewish Press.
Rabbi Klapper at Stern College Mishmar
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Stern College for Women, New York, NY
Rabbi Klapper gave Mishmar at Stern College for Women on the topic of: "Is it Forbidden to Use Physical Metaphors for G-d? A Case Study in the Relationship among Truth, Law, and Authority"
Rabbi Klapper comes to YU
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Yeshiva University, New York, NY
Rabbi Klapper gave a Shiur at YU on the topic of "Lo Ra'inu Eino Ra'ayah: The Inference from 'Hasn't Been' to 'Ought Not Be' in Halakhah."
Jewish Law Association Regional Conference on Social Justice & Jewish Law
Monday, March 27, 2017
Yeshiva University, New York, NY
Rabbi Klapper gave a talk at the Jewish Law Association Regional Conference entitled "(Why) Does Jewish Tradition Recognize a Halakhah Independent of Ethics? Anti-Reductionism and Some of Its Discontents."
Why a Ger Can Receive Semikhah: A Brisker Reconstruction of the Rav's Position
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Yeshiva University, New York, NY
Rabbi Klapper gave a Chabura at YU on a topic relevant to the recent discussion of Serarah.
Does Halakhah Change When You Change?
Thursday, February 16, 2017
The Bronfman Center for Jewish Life at NYU, New York, NY
Shalhevet at NYU hosted Rabbi Klapper for Mishmar, at which he spoke about changing Halakhah.
When Great Poskim Make Mistakes: A Case Study in the Relationship among Truth, Law, and Authority
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Harvard Hillel, Cambridge, MA
Harvard Hillel hosted Rabbi Klapper for a lunch and learn about Poskim making mistakes.
Installation Brunch for Rabbi Jason Strauss
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Congregation Kadimah - Toras Moshe, Brighton, MA
Rabbi Klapper gave the introduction at the installation of SBM alum Rabbi Jason Strauss as Rabbi of Congregation Kadimah - Toras Moshe.
Does Halakhah Change When You change?
Shabbat, February 4, 2017
Skokie, IL
Dr. Malka Simkovich hosted Rabbi Klapper for a talk, at which he spoke about changing Halakhah.
Domestic Abuse and Jewish Law
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Rabbi Klapper, Rachel Light, Elizabeth Schoen Vaner, and Rabbi Jeremy Stern participated in a panel moderated by Lisa Fishbayn Joffe on the topic of Domestic Abuse & Jewish Law. The panelists discussed the interplay between social justice and the Jewish divorce process.
Forbidden Metaphors? A Case Study in the Relationship between Textual Truth and Psak
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
GPATS at Stern College for Women, New York, NY
GPATS hosted Rabbi Klapper for a lunch Shiur about a Teshuvah Rav Moshe about Safek Avodah Zarah.
Winter Yom Iyyun
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe, Brighton, MA
CMTL Dean Rabbi Aryeh Klapper led a Winter Yom Iyyun, an exciting, challenging, and intense experience of reading responsa literature. This year's topic was "Marriage and Intent - Heter Me'ah Rabbanim". The 6-hour Yom Iyyun was an opportunity for CMTL alumni, community members, and friends to learn together in a collaborative setting.
Facebook event
Sourcesheet
Audio: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Is Halakhah Law? Case Studies on the Role of Historical Truth and Ethics In Psak Halakhah
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Lindenbaum Center, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Klapper spoke at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah's Lindenbaum Center at their Yom Iyun. The Yom Iyun was on the subject of "Revitalizing Modern Orthodox Halakhic Discourse."
Event page (with audio)
Audio: Part 1 Part 2
Does Halakhah Change When You Change? Experience, Identity, Ideology, and Law
Thursday, December 8, 2016
JLIC at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
JLIC at Brandeis University hosted Rabbi Klapper for Mishmar, at which he spoke about changing Halakhah.
Challenges to Faith: Law and Morality
Monday, November 28, 2016
Yeshiva University, New York, NY
Rabbi Klapper and Dr. Daniel Rynhold were hosted by YU's RAFT club (Religious Approaches to Faith and Theology) to discuss the impact on faith when one perceives a specific halakhah or halakhot as immoral. How does one who believes in their reliable moral compass understand commandments to the contrary, and how does that affect our faith in a moral God?
Facebook event Audio Article about the event
Rav Hutner Theology and Modern Orthodoxy
Monday, November 28, 2016
The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life at Columbia University, New York, NY
Rabbi Klapper discussed Rav Hutner theology and Modern Orthodoxy at the Columbia University Hillel.
Limits and Orthodoxy with R' Francis Nataf
Motzaei Shabbat, November 12, 2016
Young Israel of Sharon, Sharon, MA
“Limits and Orthodoxy: A Conversation about Halakhic and Hashkafic Boundaries and Inclusiveness”
Rabbi Francis Nataf (http://www.francisnataf.com/) is a respected, Jerusalem-based educator, thinker and author of several books and many articles on contemporary Torah commentary, including the Redeeming Relevance series.
He writes, “We see fewer and few serious attempts to seek the Torah’s evaluation of new ideas and behavior… This is the way one treats antiquities: by protecting them in museums, they lose any relevance to the present. More important, this is not the way Jews have treated their Torah throughout history. From time immemorial, Jews have taken the risk of misinterpreting the Torah. They have done so in order to find guidance, inspiration and truth for themselves and their communities. This, perhaps more than anything else, has allowed our ancient Torah to be a living document for the Jewish people.”
Rabbi Nataf is currently working on a new book on Jewish political thought.
This program was co-hosted by the Young Israel of Sharon and the Center for Modern Torah Leadership.
Facebook event
Audio links: Part 1 Part 2
Three Views of Teshuvah: A Round Robin Discussion
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe, Brighton, MA
Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe and Center for Modern Torah Leadership presented an Aseret Yemei Teshuva Program with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper of Center for Modern Torah Leadership, Rabbi Noah Cheses of Young Israel of Sharon, and Rabbi Jason Strauss of Kadimah-Toras Moshe.
Topics included teshuva in the view of the Talmud, Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, and Rav Aharon Lichtenstein.
Facebook event
Audio links: Intro Rabbi Klapper Rabbi Strauss Rabbi Cheses
Money, Corporations, and Democracy: Moral and Religious Perspectives
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA
Rabbi Klapper participated in a panel which addressed the moral questions that underlie issues of money in politics, corporate power, wealth, and democracy. Panelists spoke about the ways their traditions help them to approach these questions with thoughtful consideration, moral insight, action, and hope. Other panelists included Soujourners founder Jim Wallis, Cambridge City Councillor Nadeem Mazen, President of American Promise Jeff Clements, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, and recent Harvard Divinity School alum Tajay Bongsa. The panel was moderated by Harvard Divinity School's Professor Dan McKanan.
Facebook event
Video here or here
Lashon Hara in the 21st Century: Navigating the Real World
Monday, September 12, 2016
Mount Sinai Jewish Center, New York, NY
MSJC hosted a conversation between Rabbi Aryeh Klapper and Rabbi Daniel Feldman, moderated by Davida Kollmar. They addressed the effects of lashon hara, the balance between the good of true knowledge and the bad of spreading negative information, in the realms of journalism, shidduchim, politics, and everyday life.
Check back for more events!
