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available for speaking and performances around the world

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Tzemah Yoreh

Tzemah Yoreh

As a Bible scholar and poet, Dr. Rabbi Tzemah most enjoys surprising people as they discover sides of the Bible they never knew and inspiring audiences with new prayers.

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About

Dr. Rabbi Tzemah Yoreh is a scholar of Bible and a composer of poetic liturgy. Among his most popular books are Love Song for Shabbat and Why Abraham Killed Isaac. His greatest joys are surprising people as they discover sides of the Bible they never knew and inspiring audiences with poetic prayer. He is a resident at the CLAL institute for Jewish Leadership and lives in New York.


Programs

1
Why Abraham Killed Isaac
When I was 21, I killed Isaac. (Not literally, of course!) What I did was to discover that the original Genesis account told a story in which the angel did not stop Abraham's knife, but let it cut through Isaac's flesh, severing his head and the patriarchal chain. How did I arrive at this reading? Come and find out.
2
Kohelet, the First Heretic
It has long been noted that Ecclesiastes is full of contradictions, and many scholars have broken their heads over why the book was written that way. In this session I will offer a partial answer. In close textual analysis we will find that every time Ecclesiastes the heretic said something too heretical, a later more pious author undermined him or contradicted him.
3
Do We Descend from Cain the Murderer?
In Genesis 4 Cain kills his brother Abel in cold blood. His punishment is wandering the earth with the proverbial mark of Cain. But is Cain's punishment actually carried out? He settles down and builds the first city, a sedentary life style par excellence, and enjoys God’s protection. Who then shall punish the first murderer?
4
Eat, Pray, Love: Poetic Blessings in Appreciation of Food
What would it look like to say blessings that not only give pause for reflection, but also make you laugh and cry? In this session I will share my poetic blessings and prayers (in Hebrew and English) that speak to a humanist outlook, evoke the senses, and draw deeply on the Bible and Jewish tradition.
5
A Love Song for Shabbat
In this session I will sing with you some of my personal love song for Shabbat. I will share with you my poetic blessings for wine and food, blessings for children, and prayers for peace that speak to a humanist outlook, yet continue to draw deeply on the Bible and Jewish tradition.
Genres
  • Torah / Tanach / Text
  • Talmud / Mishna / Gemara
  • Midrash

Contact Tzemah

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Books
And the Goddess Said
And the Goddess Said
Genesis in the Feminine (Th...
2014
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Why Abraham Killed Isaac (Kernel to Canon)
Why Abraham Killed Isaac (Kernel to Canon)
2013
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Journey To Sinai (Bilingual Edition) (Kernel to Canon) (Volume 4)
Journey To Sinai (Bilingual Edition) (Kernel to Canon) (Volume 4)
2013
Modern Scriptures
A Love Song for Shabbat (Humanist Prayer)
A Love Song for Shabbat (Humanist Prayer)
2013
Modern Scriptures
Isaac's Death and Resurrection (Bilingual Version) (Kernel to Canon)
Isaac's Death and Resurrection (Bilingual Version) (Kernel to Canon)
2013
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Articles
thetorah.com 26 April, 2016:
Israel’s Departure from Egypt: A Liberation or an Escape?
thetorah.com 22 September, 2014:
The Sacrifice of Isaac in Context Recovering a Lost Ending of the Akedah
TheTorah.com 5 May, 2014:
Tzemah Yoreh: A Humanist and Bible Scholar
Times of Israel 28 November, 2012:
When Abraham Murdered Isaac
Videos
The Binding of Isaac: An Introduction
Booking Our Speakers

Weekday/Sunday programs are approximately one hour. Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence usually includes two talks, sometimes three.

Usually: The event price includes honorarium and all expenses, including international and domestic airfare and local expenses. We ask venues to provide home-hospitality for one night (for weekday/Sunday programs), or two nights (for Shabbat programs), or for multi-day programs, one night for each day of the event. If your venue is unable to provide home hospitality, an additional charge of $150 per night will be assessed to cover speaker expenses.

Need a special program for Shavuot, Holocaust Remembrence Day, or July 4th? We have suggestions.

Interested in booking Tzemah Yoreh to speak at your next event? Contact Jewish Speakers Bureau (infREMOVEo@jewREMOVEishspeakerREMOVEsbureau.com), America's only speakers bureau for Jewish-interest speakers, authors, entertainers, and experts.

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