Venue: Young Israel of Fort Lee, NJ Young Israel of Fort Lee, NJ

Gemara:

Aggadeta,  Kiddushin,  Megillah,  Pesachim,  Shabbat 

Halacha:

Sheva Mitzvot B'nei Noach,  Thanksgiving 

History:

16th - 18th Centuries CE,  19th Century CE 

Machshava:

Ahavat Hashem,  History,  Israel,  Maharal,  Mesilas Yeshorim,  Mitzvot,  Philosophy of Halacha,  Politics,  Ramban,  Religious Zionism,  Simcha/Happiness,  Spirituality,  The Avos 

Midrash:

Midrash Rabbah - Torah 

Nach:

Shir Hashirim,  Yirmiyahu 

Parsha:

Toldot,  Vayishlach,  Vezot Haberacha 

References: Yoma: 28B ,  Kiddushin: 82A ,  Shabbat: 33B ,  Pesachim: 49B ,  Kiddushin: 31A  

Description

The founding fathers of the United States - particularly George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison - thought deeply about crafting a government that would enable the pursuit of happiness. In this Thanksgiving morning shiur, we explore the roots of that idea - as well Hashem's universal expectations of all people and the singular qualities of Eretz Yisrael - going back to the 'founding fathers' of the Jewish people, the avos, through the Gemara and midrashim and in the writings of Ramban, Maharal, Ramchal, Rav Chaim of Volozhin and others - and uncovering the three-way connection between responsibility, relationship and happy meaningfulness.