I’m excited to share that Sefaria is a partner in this year’s Global Day of Jewish Learning, powered by Limmud North America and inspired by the vision of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Each year, on this day, thousands of people in synagogues, JCCs, and other communal institutions around the world study Jewish texts together around a shared theme.
This year’s study, taking place on November 9th, focuses on the idea of 70 Faces of Torah, exploring how the Jewish tradition embraces multiple understandings and approaches. Besides using the provided Global Day Study Guide, educators can also choose to create their own materials — and Sefaria’s free library, Google Docs Extension, and Sheet Editor are the perfect tools for the job!
Check out Limmud NA's website to learn more about the initiative and involve your local organization. And, of course, feel free to reach out with any questions about how to use Sefaria’s library and tools as you plan your learning endeavors.
Educator Spotlight
Rachel Biale Uses Sefaria to Find Her Sources
Who? Rachel Biale, Executive Director, New Lehrhaus, San Francisco Bay Area and online
How? Sefaria’s search feature makes it easy to find the texts I use in my teaching for New Lehrhaus and other institutions, especially related to my field of expertise — women in Jewish law. All I have to do is type the title into the search bar and I get texts like Sefer Hasidim, Iggeret HaKodesh, and Chizkuni’s 13th-century Torah Commentary.
How? Sefaria’s search feature makes it easy to find the texts I use in my teaching for New Lehrhaus and other institutions, especially related to my field of expertise — women in Jewish law. All I have to do is type the title into the search bar and I get texts like Sefer Hasidim, Iggeret HaKodesh, and Chizkuni’s 13th-century Torah Commentary.
Rachel’s Top Tip: Sometimes you get better search results by entering a text's name (or a word or phrase in it) in Hebrew. For example, I recently searched for a specific text in Sefer Hasidim related to the ascetic practice of immersing in an icy river in winter. English did not yield results, but Hebrew ״קרח״ took me to the passage I needed.
Did You Know?
Two Sefaria Tools for Maximum Creativity
You’ve made a sheet on Sefaria, and you’ve used Sefaria for Google Docs. But have you combined these two powerful tools? Using the Sheet Editor and the Sefaria for Google Docs extension together gives you maximum flexibility when creating sheets. Start by adding texts and comments in the Sheet Editor. When you're ready for advanced formatting, export your sheet to Google Docs (just open the Resource Panel and click on Export). Need to add another source later? Two clicks on the Sefaria for Google Docs extension, and it’ll be right there in your document.
You’ve made a sheet on Sefaria, and you’ve used Sefaria for Google Docs. But have you combined these two powerful tools? Using the Sheet Editor and the Sefaria for Google Docs extension together gives you maximum flexibility when creating sheets. Start by adding texts and comments in the Sheet Editor. When you're ready for advanced formatting, export your sheet to Google Docs (just open the Resource Panel and click on Export). Need to add another source later? Two clicks on the Sefaria for Google Docs extension, and it’ll be right there in your document.
Teaching Tanakh With a Midrash Guide
From Jacob’s marble neck to Vashti’s tail, Tanakh teachers often introduce Midrash to their students — but how are we meant to understand it, and what is it really trying to teach us? Learning to Read Midrash, crafted by scholar and educator Simi Peters, takes a deep dive into this rich interpretive tradition.
In this instructive volume, Peters presents a specific methodology for understanding midrash — a “how-to” for unpacking the elements characteristic of each type of midrash.
With Peters’ tools in hand, you can help learners decipher the hidden meanings of these passages, making this text a great companion to anyone looking to engage students with these fascinating (if, at times, cryptic) passages.
In this instructive volume, Peters presents a specific methodology for understanding midrash — a “how-to” for unpacking the elements characteristic of each type of midrash.
With Peters’ tools in hand, you can help learners decipher the hidden meanings of these passages, making this text a great companion to anyone looking to engage students with these fascinating (if, at times, cryptic) passages.
Teaching Talmud With Accessible Commentaries
Looking for a talmudic commentary that’s both in-depth and accessible to beginners? You’ll find just that when you delve into Daf Shevui on Talmud, a page by page examination of tractates Avodah Zarah, Ketubot, Kiddushin, Megillah, and Sukkah. Written by Rabbi Joshua Kulp, Rosh Yeshiva at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, this work offers insights both beginners and seasoned learners may find interesting.
To find Daf Shevui on Talmud, click on a passage of the above tractates to open the Resource Panel and scroll down to find the All Quoting Commentaries subheading. Or, you can navigate from the homepage. Just click on Talmud, then scroll to find the Modern Commentary on Talmud subheading.
START READING
To find Daf Shevui on Talmud, click on a passage of the above tractates to open the Resource Panel and scroll down to find the All Quoting Commentaries subheading. Or, you can navigate from the homepage. Just click on Talmud, then scroll to find the Modern Commentary on Talmud subheading.
START READING
On the Jewish Calendar
- Time to Return: Believe it or not, soon we’ll be headed into the Days of Awe, a ten-day period beginning with Rosh Hashanah and culminating with Yom Kippur. These days are set aside by many for introspection and self-improvement. In her 2012 work, Return: Daily Inspiration for the Days of Awe, Dr. Erica Brown offers a biblical or rabbinic-themed essay, passages for textual study, and a practical exercise of self-improvement for each of the ten days.
- Seasonal Topics: If you’re not sure which book to open, or are just looking for some fresh texts to explore, take a look at Topic pages on relevant themes, like #Elul, #Repentance, and #High Holidays.
Sefaria Tools to Know
SEFARIA FOR GOOGLE DOCS
Add any source from the library to a Google Doc with a couple of clicks. Now including verse numbers!
SHEET EDITOR
Mix and match sources from Sefaria’s library of Jewish texts, and add your comments, images and videos.
Useful LinksThe Sefaria Classroom | Teach with Sefaria | Webinar: Sefaria + Google Docs | About Sefaria
Add any source from the library to a Google Doc with a couple of clicks. Now including verse numbers!
SHEET EDITOR
Mix and match sources from Sefaria’s library of Jewish texts, and add your comments, images and videos.
Useful LinksThe Sefaria Classroom | Teach with Sefaria | Webinar: Sefaria + Google Docs | About Sefaria