We're planning next year's summer session. This year's session has already completed - stay tuned for some great recordings of the goings-on.

This Year's Session

The Chassidic Revolution: 

How to live as a spiritual Jew in the contemporary world

300 years ago, in the Carpathian Mountains, a spark burst into flame and set the soul of the Jewish World on fire. Chassidut spread as a revolution transforming Jewish spiritual life. Now, in a Jewish world struggling with strikingly similar problems and issues, the Chassidic teachings and practices have never been more desperately needed. Yet, many of those who walk these paths have turned away from the modern world, and the path set forth by the Chassidic Masters no longer seems to lead to the heart of life. How can a person be both spiritually alive and engaged in the real world? This question is at the core of the Chassidic revolution. Today there are few places where this question is addressed with contemporary awareness and genuine passion. Bat Ayin Yeshiva is one of these places.

In the three week summer session we will explore the primary pillars of Chassidut, including topics such as -

• The immediate presence of God in all dimensions of the world
• Each individual's personal relationship with God - Tefillah, Meditation, Silence
• The reality of the inner world - Excitement, Joy, Commitment
• The importance of connection - Brotherhood, Love of Israel, Compassion for all life

We will study these ideas from the primary sources - Tanach, Talmud, Midrash, and Rishonim - and explore their manifestation in a broad range of Chassidic texts and parallel Jewish spiritual writings, such as those of Rav Avraham Yitchak HaKohen Kook and Rav Chaim of Volozhin. We will develop skills in learning these texts in depth - drawing out their messages for the head and for the heart. The program is not just about study - ongoing practical workshops and seminars will focus on personal transformation and integrating these teachings into day-to-day life.

The session began on Thursday June 21st, and continued until Sunday July 15th.