Throughout history God has been depicted as an uninterested recluse, a doting grandfather and a supernatural superman - to name a few. Rabbi Berger challenges these descriptions by focusing our intuitive perception on God's inscrutable, caring and precise management of the world. Here's a chance to initiate a fresh relationship - with no strings attached.
First and foremost, let's define exactly what 'Jewish philosophy' is. For example, can we slaughter animals for their meat, and to what extent is this considered cruelty? Using Maimonides as a base, Rav Berkovits delves into a human being's purpose in the universe and his potential to rule over nature. A 20-class series you will want to hear more than once.
Although it sounds crazy, we can actually attach ourselves to the infinite by becoming less and less finite. Lets step out of the theoretical realm, and start implementing this concept in a more down to earth process.
If God loves the poor person, why are they poor? When we see the world's
problems, what should we say? Are we supposed to play God? Hear this fascinating discussion about free will and the soul.
A big question arises when delving into the ideas of 'soul' and 'first knowledge' - also understood as our having a logical mind that knows. Can it be that even though we seem designed to be logical, all of humanity is in truth totally crazy? And where does first knowledge fit into the big picture of 'infinity'? Rabbi Berkovits brings these existential concepts more down to earth.
Can self-awareness be defined or quantified? To what extent is human behavior 'random' or 'predictable,' and what are the ramifications of each? Perhaps there is something closer to you than your awareness of yourself? Hear an interesting talk on awareness and the soul.
Our behavior and makeup are based on our souls, which are split into
different parts. Join Rabbi Berkovits and find out how your awareness and
your soul help call the shots in your daily life.
There's no such thing in Judaism as a nobody coming along with a prophecy,
because there has to be character development that preceded it. Hear about
the Jewish view of prophecy and learn how to become less finite and less
needy as you work on yourself.
How could Jews worship the Golden Calf a short 40 days after G-d's voice shook their souls? Did they really think this cow could do the same? The sages say how the drive to worship idols was much stronger in those days then it is now. In this session, Rabbi Berkovits plugs us into a separate mindset of judging other situations and experiences as being totally favorably - to help us move us past the external circumstances of our daily lives. Hear also about the distinction between the Jewish soul and the non-Jewish soul.
Saying “I can do this, and I can't do that" is not what Judaism is about. Rav Berkovits looks at a few misconceptions that people have on how limiting Jewish laws are. Experience for yourself how a warm, sensitive, thinking Jew might handle both the simple and tough questions that most people are confronted by.
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