You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer.

Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• (Chapters 1-4)
• (Chapters 5-9)

Register here for our lecture on Ezra-Nehemiah, scheduled for May 21 at 6 p.m. ET.

Register here for our wrap-up event on Ezra-Nehemiah, scheduled for May 28 at 6 p.m. ET.

Why do bad things happen to good people? The Book of Job has long been the source text for people grappling with this existential question.  

1. Listen to six-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Read a chapter of Job every day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer. Questions to consider while you read:

• In what ways do the concerns of Job mirror your own? How does it feel to hear them from his mouth?
• How should people handle the suffering and concerns of friends?
• How do you balance faith and protest, trust and questioning?
• What would you want to hear from God in repsonse to Job's arguments?

3. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• Weekly summary (Chapters 1-2)
• Weekly summary (Chapters 3-7)
• Weekly summary (Chapters 8-12)
• Weekly summary (Chapters 13-17)
• Weekly summary (Chapters 18-22)
• Weekly summary (Chapters 23-27)
• Weekly summary  (Chapters 28-32)
• Weekly summary (Chapters 33-37)
• Final chapters (Chapters 38-42)

4. Watch the recording of "Jonah and Job: Arguing With the Almighty On Stage," our live program featuring musical theater composer and lyricist Madeline Myers here. 

5. Watch the recording of our Book of Job wrap-up here. 

Explore the timeless beauty of The Song of Songs, an exquisite Biblical love poem celebrating passion, connection, and the divine spark in human relationships. Filled with lush imagery and evocative metaphors, it invites readers to ponder the depths of love—both sacred and sensual.

1. Listen to six-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Read a chapter of the Song of Songs every day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer. Questions to consider while you read:

• The Song of Songs has been interpreted in multiple ways—literal love poetry, allegory of God's love for Israel, mystical meditation. Which interpretation resonates most with you, and why?
• What do you make of the lack of reference to G-d?
• Why do you think the rabbis decided that Jews should read this book during Passover?
• Rabbi Akiva famously said, “All of the Writings are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies.” Why might that be? 

3. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• (Chapters 1-5)
• (Chapters 6-8)

4. Watch the recording of our Zoom event, "Art and the Song of Songs" with Rabbi Arielle Stein here. 

1. Listen to six-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Read a chapter of the Book of Ruth every day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer. Questions to consider while you read:

• What do you think the character of Ruth, or her relationship with Naomi or Boaz, is trying to teach us?
• What’s up with the fact that G-d is barely mentioned in this story?
• Why do you think this story is traditionally read during Shavuot?

3. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• (Chapters 1-2)
• (Chapters 3-4)

4. Listen to the recording of Rabbi Sivan Rotholz's Book of Ruth session from March 6 here. 

1. Listen to six-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Read a chapter of the Book of Lamentations every day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer. Questions to consider while you read:

• What do you think the character of Ruth, or her relationship with Naomi or Boaz, is trying to teach us?
• What’s up with the fact that G-d is barely mentioned in this story?
• Why do you think this story is traditionally read during Shavuot?

3. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• (Chapters 1-3)
• (Chapters 4-5)

4. Watch the recording of our Lamentations and Ecclesiastes Wrap-Up from March 26 here. 

1. Listen to six-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Read a chapter of the Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) every day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer. Questions to consider while you read:

• To what extent do you find yourself agreeing, appreciating or maybe even just laughing at Kohelet’s take on the world? Do you have a Kohelet in your life, or are you sometimes Kohelet?
• Why do you think we read this book on the holiday of Sukkot?
• How do we square this book with the rest of the Hebrew Bible?

3. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• (Chapters 1-3)
• (Chapters 4-8)
• (Chapters 9-12)

4. Watch the recording of our Lamentations and Ecclesiastes Wrap-Up from March 26 here. 

1. Listen to a five-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Access the Zoom recording of Rabbi Sivan Rotholz's presentation on the origins of the Book of Esther.

3. Read a chapter of Esther every day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer. 

4. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• March 28, 2025 (Chapter 1)
• April 4, 2025 (Chapters 2-6)
• April 11, 2025 (Chapters 7-10)

5. Watch the recording of our bonus Esther learning session with Rabbi Rotholz from April 9 here. 

1. Listen to a five-minute introductory podcast by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel to get started.

2. Read a chapter of the book of Daniel a day on your own. You may use the Jewish Publication Society’s text of the book here, or whatever translation you prefer.

3. Listen to our weekly Zoom recordings to support your reading. Rabbis Andrew Kaplan Mandel and Nicole Auerbach will dive into the week's readings, reflecting on their modern relevance and posing questions for discussion.

• April 11, 2025 (Chapter 1)
• April 18, 2025 (Chapters 2-6)
• April 25, 2025 (Chapters 7-11)

4. Watch our wrap-up conversation, held on April 28.

Begins May 29

Begins July 9

1. Visit Central Square and enter your email address 

2. Check your email for an invitation to join the community 

3. Follow the email directions to set up your username and password 
4. Request to join the The Whole Megillah group, featured at top of the welcome page
5. Start reading and responding to Rabbi Mandel's posts each day
    

* Tip: A desktop browser is recommended for your first login. Central Square is hosted by Mighty Networks. Download the Mighty Networks app to stay connected while on the go. 

You’re invited to listen in to each week’s conversation recording, posted on this webpage.  And, if you’re part of The Neighborhood, share your reflections in the Whole Megillah group.  

Yes, you’re welcome to join at any point in the series.

Learning in chevruta is the practice of studying Jewish texts in partnership. Chevruta partners decide how frequently they wish to connect and whether to do so by phone, Zoom, text message, or in person. 

Learning in chevruta is an optional way to elevate your Psalms experience. If you would like to be paired with a chevruta partner, you can e-mail Rabbi Mandel at [email protected].

No worries, The Whole Megillah is designed to be adaptable to your lifestyle—feel free to get creative in how you choose to participate. Also, Rabbi Mandel and Rabbi Auerbach will be summarizing what they have read in their weekly recording, if you want to catch up.