UPCOMING STUDY
Zo

“I Have Come Into My Garden”
Passages from Song of Songs Rabbah (Hebrew Text)
October 10th to November 28th, 2018
Instructor: Rav Carl Kinbar​

In this course, we treat two Midrash passages in depth. They are tied together by their shared view of God as the initiator and restorer of his relationship with Israel and the kind of response God is  looking for. In the first passage, My beloved is like a gazelle (Song of Songs 2:9), God surprises Israel by coming to us with love even when we do not love him. The second passage, I have come into my garden (Song of Songs 5:1) is a rich commentary on the same relationship. 

SCHEDULE: Eight ninety-minute sessions.
​TUITION: $200
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Study materials are supplied free of charge.

  COMING IN 2019

GALATIANS (in translation)
February 21st to March 28th
Instructor: Rabbi Tony Eaton

Of all the letters of Paul the Apostle, perhaps the most misunderstood is his letter the believers of the Galatian congregation.  In this study, we will look at the issues and difficulties raised by Paul’s reply to this community’s response to the message of those Paul refers to as “some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:7, NASB).  The issues of the relationship of Jews and gentiles, and their relationship to the Torah will be examined in detail.

SCHEDULE: Six ninety-minute sessions.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: To be determined.

DIVINE ELECTION, TORAH, AND YESHUA
A Study of Michael Wyschogrod's
​Abraham’s Promise: Judaism and Jewish-Christian Relations
Instructor: Rachel Wolf

Michael Wyschogrod was a towering figure of Jewish thought in the second half of the 20th century and until his death in 2015. He is considered by many to be the Jewish theologian who most deeply engaged with Christian theology. In Abraham's Promise, he offers profound insights into Judaism, Christian thought in light of Judaism, and developing meaningful dialogue between the two religions. Our goal is to develop an integrated understanding of Israel's divine election, Torah, and Yeshua, through reading and discussing selected essays in Abraham's Promise in Messianic Jewish perspective.

SYLLABUS
SCHEDULE: Six ninety-minute sessions.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Wyschogrod, Abrahams Promise: Judaism and Jewish-Christian Relations (English)

MUSSAR 
Jewish Ethical Formation
Week of June 10 to Week of July 15, 2018
Instructor: Rabbi Ben Raker Ehrenfeld

This course is a guided study through selected portions of the classic mussar text, Mesillat Yesharim by Rabbi Moses Chaim Luzzatto (1707-46). Students will select a translation of their choice, and the varieties of translations will be part of the dynamics of the group study together. The instructor will refer to the Hebrew text, and students are encouraged to refer themselves to the Hebrew original as well in their preparation.
 
The learning of Mesillat Yesharim is meant to have a tangible impact on our lives. The purpose of this study is not to learn “about” mussar, but rather to give students an opportunity to encounter the practice of mussar study as one facet of Torah centered ethical development. Accordingly, each text prepared will also include mussar exercises which students will engage in, and will reflect upon throughout class sessions, and ultimately in a final reflection paper due at the end of the course. 

SCHEDULE: Six ninety-minute sessions.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Any edition of Mesillat Yesharim. Additional materials are free of charge.





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© 2017 Mechon Mashiach (DBA The New School for Jewish Studies) 
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