Jewish Learning Institute

WHEN (EVENINGS)

6 Mondays, 7:30-8:45 P.M.
Nov 14th - Dec 19th

Instructor: Rabbi Asher Bronstein

This course is being offered for both online and in-person attendees

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LOCATION

Chabad of Merrimack Valley, 310 N Main Street, Andover, MA 01810

MORE INFO

[email protected]
(978)470-2288
Fee: $65

Course Overview

My G‑d: Defining the Divine

Nothing is off-limits as this refreshingly open course asks piercing questions about G‑d and delivers profound, insightful answers. An enlightening study into G‑dâ€™s nature, G‑dâ€™s goal for creation, human experiences of G‑d, the role of religion, and the function of miracles and prayer, this course promises to satisfy your questions, including those you didn't know you had.

Lesson Outline

Lesson One: The Basics Let's become familiar with G‑d's basic bio:
What is G‑d and where is He? Does G‑d have a gender? And who created G‑d?

Lesson Two: His Nature Let's learn a bit about how G‑d operates:
Does G‑d have feelings? Does He communicate with us? Does He ever act illogically? Why does He have so many names? And why is it that many write "G‑d" with a hyphen?

Lesson Three: His Reasons Let's discover why G‑d does what he does:
Why did G‑d create me ”does He need me? And why did He create evil.”does He need evil? Can I question G‑d? And why is He described in the Bible as wrathful and jealous?

Lesson Four: His Expectations Let's discuss G‑d's expectations of us:
Do I have to believe in G‑d to be Jewish? What if I have doubts about G‑d?
Do I need to fear G‑d? That doesn't sound very appealing!
Lastly, I'm okay with believing in G‑d, but I'm not religious. Can I still have a relationship with Him?

Lesson Five: His Paradoxes Let's delve into some of the deeper Divine mysteries and enigmas:
Can G‑d create a rock that He cant lift? Does His foreknowledge of events preclude my free choice? Is there anything that G‑d finds difficult to do? And if G‑d has decided to do something, can I change His mind?

Lesson Six: Our Relationship Let's deepen our understanding of our relationship with G‑d:
Why can't we see G‑d? Because we cant see Him, can we reconcile His existence with science?
Why is Judaism so obsessed with idolatry”is G‑d jealous?
Last of all: I'm a spiritual person; do I need to follow the Torah's "system" to have a relationship with G‑d?