The updated program “Midrash-Cafe” begins its work in the eponymous location of the Social Assistance Center. Finally, our clients and guests of the organization have received a comfortable room for meetings and fruitful pastime. The topics are developed and meetings are held by the Client Relations Manager of the Hesed Besht Foundation, Vyacheslav Yulle, who specializes in working with texts and various facts from ancient books. But how does “Midrash-Cafe” differ from an ordinary cafe? Imagine a restaurant-type establishment that does not have the usual snacks and drinks. Instead, visitors are offered not a menu, but a list of texts and topics for discussion, debate and even controversy. “First courses” are large and meaningful passages of texts, “appetizers” are something small, but witty or life-affirming, and “dessert” is a text with many unknowns that require detailed consideration and “taste” only in discussion with others. It is this method of informal education that has earned the name “Midrash-Cafe” and is in great demand all over the world. The term “Midrash” itself (from the ancient Hebrew - research, interpretation, מִדְרָשִׁים) has a clear interpretation and means – a collection dedicated to the interpretation of texts Holy ScriptureMidrashim created during the period are considered classic. Mishny and Talmud, which mention the same sages or their contemporaries as those in these collections. Midrash differs from the genre of commentary in the specific structure of the text, which combines explanatory exercises, moral and ethical teachings, and aggadic narratives.
Our “Midrash-Cafe” is currently operating at half capacity. The room is decorated with wonderful works on topics that the Torah tells about; it is cozy and comfortable to spend time here during classes and relaxation. In the future, it will be possible to order real food and drinks for everyone who wishes, but for now our clients “enjoy” the main dishes – the texts of the Holy Scriptures.
