Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Samuel Kaye

For a few weeks, my little girl loved the bad guy.  

My daughter has been in love with Paw Patrol for many years now, the children’s animated series where a team of colour coordinated puppies drive emergency vehicles and solve all of life’s problems in 15 minute increments. Her favorite is the red one, Marshal, the dalmatian firefighter. But, for a few weeks, she was also a big fan of the ‘bad guy,’ the arrogant purple top hat wearing, mischief making, Mayor Humdinger. 

“Why do you like him?” I asked her one day. 

“He’s so funny!” She replied.  

“But you know he’s not very nice, right? He’s the bad guy sweetheart.” She frowned at that; I could see that the wheels were spinning.   

She looked me dead in the eye. “Abba… is it ok to like him a little bit?”  

I think we all like the bad guys a little bit. Or at least, we find them interesting. From fictional villains like Darth Vader and Walter White to the real life historical figures that dominate our bookshelves. Of course it’s good to cheer for the heroes, but who can deny that there’s something fascinating about the other side. 

Starting on Wednesday January 21st, I’ll be teaching a weekly 10 part course “Heresy and Revolutions” focusing on some of Judaism’s’ “Bad Guys.” We’ll begin with the Talmudic origins of Alesha ben Abuya, Rabbinic Judaism’s first ‘heretic’. Then we’ll make a stop in the 1600’s to meet the man who claimed to be Moshiach, the one and only Shabbatai Tzvi. Finally, we’ll close our time with a group of revolutionaries who many people felt were going to destroy Judaism at the turn of the 20th century. Little did they know that these early Zionists would turn out to be heroes instead. 

Students at all levels of learning and Jewish literacy are welcome. Class is hybrid accessible. Texts will be provided. 

You can learn more and register for a trip to the dark side here.