Thursday on 47th Street

I spent some time at the Museum of Modern Art yesterday to enjoy an exhibit of works by Francis Picabia. On the walk back to Penn Station I stopped by the New York Diamond District which is centered on 47th street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Rich pickings for street photography.

An Evening of Learning

There is a very old tradition in Judaism of study and learning that dates back many thousands of years. Our culture is deep and rich with many texts beginning with Torah and other biblical books, through the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, the commentaries of Maimonides, Rashi and scores of Medieval sages, the writings of Chassidic masters, and through to today's writers. There's a lot to dig into and absorb.

The format for debate and learning established before the common era (BCE) and continued to today has been for people to sit down at a table across from each other, usually two at a time, and dig through the texts word by word to explore all the meanings and ramifications of what's written. It's the way yeshiva students learn the massive quantities of discourse to become ordained as scholars and rabbis. This past weekend I was invited to a local Chabad center to enjoy the interaction of a group of yeshiva bochers (students) and members of the congregation.

Sunday Walk

I was itching to play with my 23mm f2 lens yesterday, so took a walk in midtown Manhattan. The sun was in and out and the light was difficult to manage. Each time I use this lens I love it more.