An open-ended textual exploration of the intrinsic connection between the epic Jewish leader (Moshe, Yaakov, etc.) and cultural complexity. While the main focus is on Torah texts, our study will lead into a discussion about the unique dichotomy between universalism and particularism so pronounced in Jewish identity and tradition.

Rabbi Francis Nataf is a veteran Tanakh Instructor at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya who has also written an acclaimed contemporary commentary on the Torah entitled Redeeming Relevance. He is Associate Editor of the Jewish Bible Quarterly and Translations and Research Specialist at Sefaria, where he has authored most of Sefaria's in-house translations, including such classics as Sefer HaChinukh, Shaarei Teshuva, Derekh Hashem, Chovat HaTalmidim and many others. He is a prolific writer; his articles on parsha, current events, and Jewish thought appear regularly in publications such as The Jewish Press, Tradition, Hakirah, The Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post, Jewish Action, and Haaretz.