Apr 28, 2009 -- A student-organized yom iyun [day of learning] focusing on the theme of “Exile and Redemption in Tanach and Jewish History” drew about 500 attendees to the Wilf Campus on April 26. The day of Bible study was an extension of the hugely popular Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon and Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon, sponsored by the YU Center for the Jewish Future-Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. The learning was dedicated to the memory of David Rottenstreich, a YU student who fell ill and passed away on the eve of Passover. Stuart Halpern, student life coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs—which co-sponsored the event with the Center for the Jewish Future, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, TEIQU, SOY, TAC, YCSA, and the Office of Alumni Affairs—offered further insight into the theme of the yom iyun. “One of the overarching themes of Tanach and Jewish history is the Jewish people’s fluctuation between these two poles,” Halpern said. “We felt it most appropriate to be discussing issues related to this topic in the time between Pesach, the holiday marking the end of the Jewish people’s exile in Egypt, and Shavuot, the holiday marking their redemption with a divine covenant and national mission.” Leading Torah scholars from YU, the Unites States and Israel presented 21 shiurim [lectures] covering a broad range of topics, from “Sin and Exile in Genesis: A Commentary on the Human Condition” to “Maimonides and Messiah.” Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter, university professor of Jewish history and Jewish thought and senior scholar at YU’s Center for the Jewish Future, gave the keynote address. Speaking about the state of Israel, Rabbi Schacter pointed to its dual nature. “When speaking about the state of Israel, we refer to it as 'reishit tzmichat geulateinu', meaning 'the beginning sprouts of redemption,' referring to it in redemptive language while still acknowledging that the redemption has not yet arrived,” Rabbi Schacter said. Other highlights included Rabbi Mordechai Cohen, professor of Bible and associate dean of Revel Graduate School, speaking on “Nehama Leibowitz on Reading Tanach in Light of Ramban’s Literary Approach to Sefer Shmot”; Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, founder of the Tanach Study Center, speaking on “The Purpose of Prophecy vs the Reality of Redemption”; Rabbi Ephraim Kanarfogel, E. Billi Ivry Professor of Jewish History and chairman of the Rebecca Ivry Department of Jewish Studies at Stern College, speaking on “The Messianic Age in the Thought of Rishonei Ashkenaz: A Comparative Analysis,” and Elana Stein Hain, Lincoln Square Synagogue’s Community Scholar, speaking about “Vegetarianism and Sacrifice in Messianic Times.” Debbie Rapps, an alumna of Samuel H.Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls who traveled to the event from her home in Teaneck, NJ, said she looks forward to Yeshiva University-sponsored yimei iyun. “It is a great way to become immersed in high quality learning when not all of us have the opportunity to do so on a regular basis,” Rapps said.