Daf: A Workshop on Nonlinear and Collaborative Writing Inspired by the Talmud Bavli
What do the Talmud and poetry have in common?
At first glance, not much. The Talmud is known for its legalism and meticulous logic, not its lyricism. But look a little closer, and I think these two genres share more than you might expect. Both Talmud and poetry explore big ideas through small details and existential questions through the material world and everyday, lived experiences. Both Talmud and poetry put great value on concision of language, attempting to say much in as few words as possible. Most fascinating to me, both Talmud and poetry upend linear thought, allowing meaning to emerge through subtle juxtaposition, associative leaps and a chronic defiance of time.
Personally, the Talmud has been one of the greatest influences on my writing. Not just in content, but in form as well. I've always been mesmerized by the traditional layout of the Talmud's page (tzuras hadaf), where the Talmud text is flanked by the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot. Dense columns of words seem to grow out of each other like entangled oaks -- reflective of the ever-evolving, multi-vocal nature of the Talmud itself, a text without beginning or end. (You can see some examples of how I've incorporated Talmudic form into my work here and here).
How does the Talmud's form impact, enhance, inhibit, complicate and contribute to its content? What possibilities does this form open up for those who approach it as readers? What about as writers?
These are the questions that led me to create Daf, a workshop on nonlinear and collaborative writing, inspired by the Talmud Bavli. Think of this workshop as one part an introduction to Talmud through the lens of experimental writing, and one part an introduction to experimental writing through the lens of Talmud.
In this workshop, we'll turn a writing craft lens on the Talmud, looking closely at the three primary voices on the traditional page -- the Talmud itself, as well as the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot -- considering each individually and in relation to each other. Participants then model what we've discovered through a rotating process of writing and commentating on each other's work. As participants immerse themselves in each other's work, the role of reader, commentator and co-creator blends, and the result is a final piece of writing that transcends any one person's imagination or pen.
Daf was originally designed for the 2019 National Havurah Committee Institute, where I served as the Timbral Artist-in-Residence. Since then I have taught it in multiple settings, including for Moishe House Toronto and Lishma: Jewish Learning Project.
Daf can be adjusted to work online or in-person. It was originally designed as a 4-part series, but can be condescended into a single 2 hour workshop, or adjusted to fit any timeframe in between.
Please be in touch if you would like to bring Daf to your community or classroom.
