Feb 4, 2021 By: lberlinger
On Jan. 25, the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva College welcomed Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, instructor at YU’s Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies and Sy Syms School of Business, and director of education for the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, to the first Honors Luncheon of the spring semester.
Rabbi Bashevkin, who studied the works of Rav Tzadok of Lublin (1823-1900) with the revered YU professor Dr. Yaakov Elman z"l, presented the lecture, “What is Jewish Thought? My Journey in the Works of Rav Tzadok of Lublin.” Rabbi Bashevkin explained that “Rav Tzadok was a Hasidic leader whose writing was acutely sensitive to issues regarding Judaism and the modern world.” He was drawn to his works because of Rav Tzadok’s interdisciplinary style, which integrated the rigors of Talmudic study with the theological approach of Hasidut. During his presentation, he discussed the central contribution of Rav Tzadok as “more than simply a body of text but an experiential worldview.”
Following the luncheon, Eli Hyman ’22YC said, “I found Rabbi Bashevkin's presentation to be informative, fascinating and inspirational. What resonated with me most was Rabbi Bashevkin’s idea that Jewish thought is meant to be lived experientially rather than just learned intellectually.”
Rabbi Bashevkin’s talk was the first in a series of programs during the spring semester for Yeshiva College Honors students. Dr. Eliezer Schnall, Honors program director, said, “The students thoroughly enjoyed Rabbi Bashevkin’s discussion about Rav Tzadok of Lublin, and we look forward to welcoming him again as well as other engaging speakers at future Honors events.”