What do the Sages of the Talmud say about the rights of workers and the responsibilities of those who hire them? How did they think about political activity in their time as subjects of Rome?

In his commentary on the Talmudic passage Bava Metzia 83a–b, Jewish-French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas explores these questions through his philosophical commitment to the ethical responsibility we have toward The Other. In this session, we will read and unpack the primary Talmudic text and Levinas’ reflections on it, using both to open up renewed questions about Jewish political activity. Together, we will sharpen our understanding of how responsibility to The Other might shape our own ethical and political commitments today.

No prior experience with Talmud or with Levinas’ philosophy is required—just a willingness to learn and think together.

Aaron Berc is a fourth year Rabbinical Student at Hebrew College where his studies seek to explore the question of "who are we to one another?" Prior to Rabbinical school, Aaron had stints in both Corporate America and in Jewish Non-Profits. Most recently, Aaron worked for five years as a Community Organizer at Jewish Community Action, where he organized the Twin Cities Jewish community around issues of affordable housing and economic justice. Aaron previously served as a Rabbinic Intern at Shir Tikvah Minneapolis, Temple Sinai of Brookline, and Temple Emanuel of Newton as a Rabbinic Intern. Aaron graduated from the University of Kansas, with a BS in Environmental Studies and a minor concentration in Physics. He also received a Certificate of Jewish Ethics and Social Justice from the Jewish Theological Seminary.