Around the Shabbat Table: A Guide to Fulfilling and Meaningful Shabbat Table Conversations

The three Shabbat meals offer an opportunity to think about life and connect with others. However, despite our best intentions, the lack of time and sufficient resources may preclude in-depth grappling with more significant and meaningful issues. Around the Shabbat Table addresses this problem. Its goal is to serve as a springboard for more personally stimulating and meaningful Shabbat conversations. Each unit can be read directly at the Shabbat table and no prior knowledge or preparation is necessary. The ideas presented are designed for Jewish adults of all backgrounds and religious denominations. They reflect a philosophy that the Torah belongs to and should be accessible to all Jews, whatever they think or believe, wherever they may be.

Aryeh Ben David graduated from Vassar College in 1977 and moved to Israel in 1978. He studied at Kollel Meretz in Mevaseret Tzion from 1982 to 1986, receiving rabbinical ordination from the Ariel Institute and the Chief Rabbi of Haifa in 1986. He is a member of the Senior Faculty of the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, having taught there since 1986. He also served as the Educational Director of the Jerusalem campus of Livnot U'Lehibanot since its inception in 1993 until 1998. He lives in Efrat, Gush Etzion, with his wife, Sara, and their six children.