Judaic Courses

At the start of the 20th Century, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn (Rashab) was at the forefront of a battle for the soul of Judaism in the Russian Empire. He understood that he was living through a period of intense ideological, cultural, social and political rupture. Traditional Jewish life would only survive intact if its meaning could be compellingly restated in terms that were entirely. Samach vov was Rashab’s answer to this challenge, and this text based study course will bring students directly into the heart of his epic intellectual odyssey, originally delivered in weekly installments over the course of two and a half years.

An in-depth study of some themes in Jewish philosophy, including the status of women in Jewish life, issues surrounding gender identity and alternative lifestyles, animal rights and animal experimentation, the Jewish outlook on the suffering of the righteous, the era of Moshiach.

This course is an in-depth study of Shaar HaYichud V’HaEmunoh (Tanya) authored by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. The course will explore the fundamentals of Jewish faith, beginning with the building blocks of Jewish belief and knowledge of God. The course will also investigate the relationship of God to our universe, world and self, ultimately bringing to recognition that they are all one. The course endeavors to use modern science and logic as a foundation and window into the soul and God.

This course will explore the difference in meaning and origin behind Hebrew words and their English equivalent. The goal is to understand how they have vastly different outcomes. Each week we will explore three words that are used to describe Jewish concepts and ideas. At the end of the term, students will write an essay explaining the Jewish perspective on several of the words learned over the course.

An in-depth study examining core teachings of Chabad Chassidic philosophy and practice, utilizing a variety of Chassidic Discourses as source texts. The course explores issues involving the nature of the soul and how the makeup of human identity mirrors the kabalistic description of the chain-like progression of spiritual realms [Seder Hishtalshalut]. It also explores the very nature of Chassidus itself and how it differs from kabala and other types of mysticism that appeared earlier in Jewish history.

This course addresses the Jewish perspective of marriage and family relationships. Attention is given to dating, marriage, role of the Jewish Woman, parenting and conflict management. Emphasis is placed on the Jewish values of strong, healthy, happy marriage and family.

Chabad Chassidus outlines various themes and motifs for each Jewish holiday and for each time period within the Jewish year. In this course, we explore the Chassidic emphasis on living with the spiritual dynamics that are currently in play, as well as “living with the times” as expressed in the relevant Torah portion of the week.

In this course, students will become familiar with the Talmud’s approach to the Torah as a whole, and be introduced to many of the unique characteristics and challenges that are present when studying from the original text.

Chabad Chassidus outlines various themes and motifs for each Jewish holidays and for each time period within the Jewish year. In this course, we explore the Chassidic emphasis on living with the spiritual dynamics that are currently in play.

An in-depth study of some of the central themes in Jewish philosophy, including the Jewish belief system, the existence and the nature of G-d, the problem of evil and theodicy, views on the afterlife, the underlying structure of the Halachic system, the persistence of anti-Semitism and the underlying philosophical differences in modern Jewish society.

An in-depth study examining core teachings of Chabad Chassidic philosophy and practice, utilizing a variety of Chassidic Discourses as source texts. The course explores issues involving the nature of the soul and how the makeup of human identity mirrors the kabalistic description of the chain-like progression of spiritual realms [Seder Hishtalshalut]. It also explores the very nature of Chassidus itself and how it differs from kabala and other types of mysticism that appeared earlier in Jewish history.

This course will explore an assortment of Halachic areas that are practical in the life of a Jewish girl and woman. The class will provide the Halachic issue theological and historical background, relevance in our current day, and insight as illuminated through Chassidic thought.