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92NY’s Goldman Center for Children and Family provides an exceptional array of programs designed to support children at every stage of their development.
at The 92nd Street Y, New York. Supported by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
Nov 15, 1994
Why does the Torah begin with the second Hebrew letter, bet? Because the word bet in Hebrew means house. And thus the Book of Books is a shelter, a dwelling place, a refuge, in other words, it is a home. The lecture is a meditation by a Jewish man on the natural human longing for a home. It is also the fourth lecture of the 28th year, and therefore the lecture also reviews the lessons of the previous lectures: on Rashi, who teaches that it is given to us to discover or rediscover new interpretations of Torah; on Aaron, the high priest, who shows us that great men make mistakes but nevertheless remain great; and on the Binding of Isaac, which conveys that human beings are eternally tested by God. Per usual in a fourth lecture, there is also reading from a forthcoming book, the memoir, All Rivers Run to the Sea--in this case funny post-war episodes on being a journalist (as well as an informal tour guide) in Paris. Also, the return of survivors to their pre-war home with their children, so the children might see the home of their grandparents. This is always joined to the longing for the true spiritual home, Jerusalem—especially when one is not there. And finally, longing for the future Messianic redemption, when every human being everywhere will feel at home at last.
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