This course will deal with one of the deepest, longest-lasting and explosive tensions within historical Judaism, that between the mystical and the rational. Maimonides was highly critical of the proto-Kabalistic elements of the Judaism of his day, which he saw as corrupted and paganized, and he responded by rethinking Judaism as a universal and naturalistic system designed to lead the Jew towards God through a practical system of psychological read more

S.Y. Agnon's novella "In the Prime of Her Life" (Bidmei Yameha) is a tale of love lost and found, and the profound way the older generation shapes the life of its children, as told through the perspective of a young female narrator. This biblical and lyrical weaving of a modern and complex Hebrew love story will be explored in our 3-part mini-series on the Nobel laureate's novella with Rabbi read more

Values that are considered quintessentially Jewish have their roots in Torah, and particularly from the Talmud. This course will examine how mitzvot such as Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming guests), Ona'at Devarim (grieving someone with language), Tochehcah (rebuking bad behavior) and what it means to love your neighbor, and what is the difference between Tikkun Olam, Tikkun Ha'olam, and Darchei Shalom (ways of peace). These, and time permitting, other curiosities will read more

In this class we will learn about the lives, history, philosophy and teachings of Rabbi Akiva and five of his students; Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yossei, Rabbi Shimon, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua. We will have two classes on Bar Kochba and the possible connection to the deaths of Rabbi Akiva's students mourned durint the counting of the Omer between Passover and Shavuot. Additionally, we will learn about read more

This course will focus on the Tehillim (psalms) that we use in our prayers. What is behind them? How do they affect our prayers? read more

When the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy are read in synagogue every year, many of us are on summer vacation and tend to be out of the loop. This class will help bring us back into that loop. In this survey of some of the fundamental themes of Jewish life, thought and law, we analyze highlights from the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy as a framework and jumping off read more