6. Ḥachamim: Introduction (Part 6)

In this week’s class, we continue our introduction to the Ḥachamim series by exploring the geographic landscapes in which Jewish communities lived. The discussion highlights the significance of these places, examining how geography shaped Jewish identity, communal structures, and daily life. We also zoom out to introduce the concept of pan-Sephardic communities, tracing how they span continents and remain interconnected across diverse regions. Drawing on historical examples and cultural analysis, Rabbanit Dr. Devorah Halevy examines how place, identity, and communal continuity intersect across time and space. Particular attention is given to the reciprocal relationship between Jews and their surrounding societies, emphasizing how these communities were both influenced by their environments and active contributors to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the regions in which they resided. (1/22/2026) In this series, we encounter remarkable Ḥachamim whose lives illuminate the great currents of Jewish history — their writings, their struggles, their leadership, and their enduring wisdom. Together, we will travel through the centuries, discovering the soul of our people, one sa