In our fractured and polarized society, the ways that other people behave often make no sense to us. When this happens, it is easy to assume that others are acting unreasonably. But what if, in fact, their actions make complete sense from their perspective? Is there a way to access that perspective, and how would this change the ways that we respond to them? In this session, we'll explore Talmudic stories about rabbis struggling to understand the behavior of others, using the ways they respond to these challenging interactions as a touch point to open up our own experiences.

Deborah Barer is a Senior Faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Deborah received a B.A. in Religion from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. She has taught at Oberlin College, Towson University, and for Pardes North America. Deborah’s research explores rabbinic approaches to decision-making and their application to modern life. She is passionate about the ways that entering into conversation with classical sources can open up new perspectives on contemporary questions.