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Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism: God & Family In Our LIves

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism: God & Family In Our Lives
Taught By Rabbi Herber
Thursdays 7:00-8:30PM, Via Zoom
March 14, 21, 28 & April 11
(Dates Subject to Change) 
Join Rabbi Herber for The Shalom Hartman Institute’s latest curricular project, which offers a sophisticated yet accessible introduction to philosophical ideas in Jewish peoplehood, practice, faith, and ethics. Within these four rubrics we will explore the following questions:


Peoplehood
Explores questions related to the collective experience of Jewish life: What does it mean to be part of the Jewish community? To what extent can communities hold diverse and shared values at the same time? What does Jewish Peoplehood mean today, when the centers of Jewish life, North America and Israel, are so different and independent from one another? 

Faith
Explores questions related to what a relationship in God and a life of faith entails: Where does faith come from? What are the models in Jewish tradition for a complex relationship with God which includes reverence and joy, but also anger and argument? Where does doubt fit into a life of faith? Where do Jews who do not believe fit in? 

Practice
Explores questions that are fundamental to Jewish practice: What is the system of mitzvot trying to accomplish? Why the need for ritual action beyond belief? How have Jewish thinkers conceived of the meaning of mitzvot in an age of radical human autonomy?  

Ethics
Explores questions related to ethical obligation and decision-making: How has Jewish tradition conceived of what we owe other people? How might we approach ethical dilemmas which test our loyalties to values and to people? 
 
Mon, April 29 2024 21 Nisan 5784