Reading as Revelation: Toni Morrison, the Maggid, and the Transformative Power of Text

What do Toni Morrison and Jewish mystics have in common?
They share an understanding of reading as a transformative experience. Morrison writes about a love affair between author and reader, where the “right reader” is attuned to the invisible ink the author leaves behind in the text. Similarly, the Maggid of Mezritch, an 18th-century Hasidic master and key disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, speaks of the transformative dimensions of text study. In Chassidic thought, the sacred power of Hebrew texts stems from the belief that Hebrew letters are the primordial material from which the world was formed. The letters are not just symbols—they are the result of God’s contraction from infinity into something. God used those very letters to shape the cosmos.

At a time of rising anxiety about this generation’s supposed inability to engage in deep, immersive reading, this class returns to the insights of mystics like the Maggid—and of Toni Morrison—to ask: What can happen when we read well?

Ziva R. Hassenfeld is the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Assistant Professor in Jewish Education at Brandeis University. She studies reading comprehension from a sociocultural perspective, focusing on how children develop interpretations of the Hebrew Bible as a case of student reading development.

In addition to her research, Ziva is a passionate educator. She has taught Hebrew Bible in a variety of settings, including at JCDS, Gann Academy, Genesis/BIMA at Brandeis, Silicon Valley Beit Midrash, Stanford Hillel, Congregation Beth Jacobs, and Congregation Emek Beracha. She is a Wexner Fellow and Davidson Scholar, Class 25.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.