Reading the Whole Bible, One Chapter a Day

This year, we are challenging ourselves as a congregation to read the entire Tanach (Jewish Bible), one chapter a day, beginning with Genesis, chapter one, all the way through Chronicles and circling back to read the Five Books of Moses last (since that’s the part most people know the best). At that rate, we will complete the Bible in a mere two and a half years! 

 

Why do this?  The Bible is the foundational story of the Jewish people. Everything we do and think about as Jews is ultimately Biblically based. Most of us are familiar with a lot of the Bible. But, most of us have also not had the chance to read the whole book cover to cover.

To be sure, there are obstacles. It’s a long book. And, there are sections that are either boring or hard to understand, even in the English. But, with guidance and commentary, you would be absolutely amazed at how much more deeply you will appreciate everything about Jewish by reading the whole book.

See my article on "Unreading the Bible" in the Summer HaKol.

Here is how it’s going to work:

1.      I will be teaching a weekly Sunday morning class, 10am to 11:30 called The Bible’s Big Ideas. Even if you don’t do a single page of outside reading, you will still enjoy and benefit from this class.

 

2.      A great way to do make this project maximally fun and enjoyable is to do it with a study partner or as part of a group of friends or chavurah.

3.      Beginning on October 13, the day after Yom Kippur, we will begin reading a chapter a day, beginning with Genesis, chapter one. On our website, there will be a calendar for the next 12 months, reminding us of what chapter we’re on. Don’t hesitate to get a head start.

 

4.      I will post on the website on line resources. For example, the United Synagogue version of the program, Perek Yomi (‘a chapter a day’) has a daily study guide for each chapter of the Bible. I’ll tell you how to access that.

 

5.      I will be regularly posting insights, questions and things to think about regarding the books of the Bible we are reading. Even if you don’t intend to read the Bible, you can still tune in and enjoy much of what is posted.

 

6.      There is an Israeli version of Perek Yomi called ‘929’, based on the ideas that there are 929 chapters in the Bible. 929 has great online resources. Of course, they are all in Hebrew! So, for fluent Hebrew speakers, that’s great. For everyone else, I will make available in translation selected insights and ideas.

 

7.      Sign up today:

a.      To be part of the HNT group that will take on the amazing challenge of reading the whole Bible, click here: https://hnt.wufoo.com/forms/reading-the-whole-bible/

b.      To be part of the class, The Bible’s Big Ideas, click here: (coming soon)

 

 

The Bible’s Big Ideas

The Bible is the basis of everything Jewish. There is so much in it: melodramatic stories that would make the writers of Game of Thrones blush, law, poetry, parables, prayers. How do we make sense of it all?  Join us as we study the Bible at a level of depth and intensity that will enlighten and enchant you. Among the many questions we will consider:

 

·         Who wrote the Bible? What did our ancestors think? Why do modern scholars differ?

·         How do Jews study the Bible? What are the kinds of questions Jews ask when we study the Bible? How can an in depth study of the Bible give us an understanding of the evolution of Jewish thought and belief over 3000 years?

·         How do Christians and Muslims understand the Bible differently than we do?

·         What does the Bible have to say to us? What does the Bible have to teach us about God, human psychology and the meaning of it all?

Sundays, 10-11:30am in the Board Room starting in September (signup coming soon to h-nt.org/adult-lifelong-learning)

 

This class is open to everyone in the congregation, whether or not you are participating in the Read the Whole Bible project.