Efraim Halevi (born Fredric Grunsfeld) is a published author whose articles appear in various publications such as the journals and books of TheHabura.com[1]. Halevi's articles have also been reviewed by leading scholars in the Jewish world such as Rabbi Dr. Hayyim Angel.[2] Halevi also has helped write and edit various books on the bible including, Recalling the Covenant, An Abridged Commentary as well as other books.[3] Halevi is also the author of WuBeritekha Yinsoru, a Guide to Covenantial Judiasm.[4]Halevi is currently in the process of writing his second book which is a compilation of lectures on Genesis.
Biography edit
Efraim Halevi is American-born, of both Syrian-Sepharadi origin as well as Ashkenazic origin, and has lived in Brooklyn, New York until 2022 when he went to study in Alon Shvut at Yeshivat Har Etzion in 2022 In November of 2023 Halevi went on Aliyah to Israel.[5] Although genetically Halevi is mostly Ashkenazic he identifies as a Syrian-Sephardic Jew because that's how he was raised.
Education edit
Halevi studied in Yeshivat Barkai from September 2009 until June 2019. In Yeshivat Barkai Halevi first met Rabbi Joseph Dweck who was the Rav Yeshiva at the time.[6] In Barkai Halevi was instilled with a pride in the Sephardic intellectual tradition of Maimonides as well as other medieval Sephardic scholars such as Abraham Ibn Ezra and many others. As a part of the school's emphasis on the Sephardic intellectual tradition a lot of stress was put on the study and precise recitation of the miqra or the Hebrew Bible.[7] Because of this emphasis by the end of 7th grade Halevi had finished the Hebrew Bible twice.[8] When Halevi was in 5th grade he studied Talmud one on one under the then Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Barkai, Rav Daniel Kahana. [9] A bit later while still studying in Yeshivat Barkai Halevi started studying in a small group with Rabbi Joseph Mizrachi who was one of the co-founders of Yeshivat Barkai. With Mizrachi Halevi studied the former prophets as well as many orders of Mishna. After graduating Yeshivat Barkai Halevi went on to study in Davis Renov Stahler Yeshivah Highschool for Boys. For a period in 9th grade Halevi had a one on one havruta with Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky the Rosh Yeshiva of the school. Halevi also studied under Rabbi Moshe Shamah for about 5 years both in public lectures as well as in private sessions.[10] In 10th grade Halevi started reading the works of the late Jose Faur and immediately was attracted to his teachings. Halevi studied Talmud for a brief period with Aaron Haleva Hakham Faur's primary student. In the summer of 2022 Halevi worked with Rabbi Shamah on writing his abridged commentary to the book of Numbers. Halevi made a dual contribution. Firstly, he aimed to condense Rabbi Shamah's lengthy essays into concise comments that could be easily comprehended by a broad audience. Secondly, Halevi inserted his own reflections into the commentary, which were subsequently reviewed by Rabbi Shamah. [11] In the fall of 2022 Halevi started studying in Yeshivat Har Etzion and is still currently studying there.
Articles edit
1. On Qedusha, an Exploration of the Biblical and Classical Rabbinic Understanding of Holiness, Unpublished.[12]
2. Following the Majority, published in The Habura's Shabout Insights from the Past, Present, and Future.
References edit
- ^ Shabuot Insights-Past Present Future. Independently published. 24 April 2023. ISBN 979-8-3898-2074-6.
- ^ "Rabbi Dr. Hayyim Angel's review of Halevi's essay".
- ^ "Recalling the Covenant, An Abridged Commentary".
- ^ "Community Member Ephraim Halevi's New Book 'WuBeritekha Yinsoru'".
- ^ "Har Etzion News". www.haretzion.org.
- ^ "Barkai Yeshivah - About Barkai". www.barkaiyeshivah.org.
- ^ "Barkai Yeshivah - About Barkai Torah education". www.barkaiyeshivah.org.
- ^ "Freddie Grunsfeld Makes His Second Siyum on Tanach in 7th Grade".
- ^ "The Barkai Sun Edition 8".
- ^ The Habura, "Shabout, Insights from the Past Present and Future", p. 211. In Sina Kahen, ed. (April 2023). Shabout, Insights from the Past Present and Future. Daat Press. ISBN 979-8389820746.
- ^ "Recalling the Covenant Copyright Page".
- ^ "On Qedusha, an Exploration of the Biblical and Classical Rabbinic Understanding of Holiness".