Biblical Reflections

  
Topics Explored include:
 
-How to understand the nature & purpose of a human being?  

-What is the Nature and Purpose of Evil?

-Does losing your innocence have to be forever? 

-Is my purpose to focus on the 
spiritual or the physical? 

-How do I guard myself against the dangers of material success? 

-How do I find the courage and stamina to seek the truth?

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The story of your life

Everybody loves a good story. A good story takes hold of the imagination and provides a window into the human soul.

The stories of the book of Genesis are the oldest stories in the world, yet they continue to inspire countless retellings and adaptations. They retain their power because they deal with the most powerful of human motives: the quests for love, purpose, identity, and redemption. They also explore the inner obstacles that  threaten 
these goals: lust, greed, hatred and jealousy.

When you explore these stories, you will identify with characters who grapple with the feelings and dilemmas that are at the heart of the human experience. You will see how 
their stories are also the stories of YOUR life, reflecting your joy and your pain, your struggles and your victories. And you will learn how the Torah’s eternal values provide insight that helps you respond more thoughtfully as you face critical moments of your own.

COURSE SYLLABUS

Lesson One: Wednesday May 13 ADAM and EVE   All cultures have creation stories to describe how we got here. But the Torah tells us about our creation to let us know what we are here for. By examining the idyllic nature of the garden of Eden, we can understand the special purpose for which man and woman were created. Lesson Two: Wednesday May 20 ORIGINAL SIN Is it possible that being good is overrated? The serpent made the case for evil and managed to convince Eve that there were real benefits to disobeying G‑d's commands. This lesson delves into the very essence of evil - its purpose, its possibilities, and its pitfalls. Lesson Three: Wednesday May 27 OUT OF EDEN Can we ever reclaim innocence? In a few short moments, Adam and Eve destroyed a perfect world and were immediately wracked with shame and regret. Then Adam and Eve were taught about repentance and its ability to transform and redeem.  Lesson Four: Wednesday June 3 CAIN and ABEL Cain and Abel responded to the catastrophe of the expulsion from Eden in different ways: Cain became a farmer, focusing primarily on worldly pursuits, while Abel became a shepherd, preoccupied with the spiritual. Ultimately, neither worldview was sustainable.  Lesson Five: Wednesday June 10 NOAH and THE FLOOD The generation of the flood is a story of a wealthy, technologically advanced society that was so evil that it had to be washed away. How are we able to better guard against the evils bred by material excess? In this lesson, we consider why societies are destroyed, and how they may be rehabilitated.   Lesson Six: Wednesday June 17 THE FIRST JEW Noah, in spite of his righteousness, was not able to influence others. Yet Abraham taught a world of idolworshipers to believe in G‑d. Why did Abraham succeed where Noah failed? And how can we embrace the legacy of our father Abraham, to seek goodness & truth?