Lecture: The Talmud Walks Into a Bar: What Beverages Teach Us About Rabbinic Literature with Jordan Rosenblum

Though classical rabbinic texts are fundamental to understanding the history and evolution of Judaism, they are also quite complex and daunting for the novice to read. Rabbinic literature presumes tremendous prior knowledge, and its fascinating twists and turns in logic are disorienting for even those well-versed in the literature. In order to help readers to navigate this brilliant but bewildering terrain, this talk focuses on rabbinic conversations about beverages, especially related to beer and wine. Rabbinic debates about what, when, how, and with whom one should drink allow readers to set sail on what is often called the sea of the Talmud.