Other Adult Education Classes

Members of Or Zarua are sometimes involved in sharing their learning with the rest of the Congregation.

A prime example of this are the classes taught by Congregant Marc Ashley each year, on the Sunday mornings between Pesah and Shavu'ot, exploring various historical and theological issues attendant to classical notions of the nature and authority of the Oral Law.

Here's a brief look at the courses Marc has taught over the past few years, and an introduction to this year's class, which will take place on Sunday, April 8, 15, 22, and 29, at 10:00 am:

2003: "These and Those are the Words of the Living God: Dynamics of the Oral Law" examined traditional Jewish conceptions of the legacy of the Sinaitic revelation and how two seemingly contradictory interpretations of the Torah can both reflect the will of God - and how modern Jewish denominational differences are traceable to these issues.

2004: "Jewish Law: On Whose Authority?", examined historical and theological issues concerning the origins of the Torah sheb'al peh (the Oral Law) and the exercise of rabbinic authority. Modern debates about the nature of Jewish law were highlighted, especially as relate to the development of the Conservative movement.

2005: "Not in Heaven", an examination of subjectivity and the Oral Law, focused on the halakhic decision making process.

2006: "Between Heresy and Pluralism: What Can A Jew Believe?" considered the complex issues surrounding the question of what - if anything - a Jew must believe and the extent to which there is room for pluralism within Judaism.

2007: "Accept the Truth From Whoever Says It". This year Marc will lead the class in an exploration of pivotal issues in classical Jewish thought. In "Torah and Knowledge: Should We 'Accept the Truth from Whoever Says It'?", we will discuss the range of sources that Jewish thinkers have traditionally turned to for their views concerning God, history and even Jewish law. How broadly should we construe the scope and self-sufficiency of "Torah"? In the pursuit of truth and religious faith, how extensively should we consult gentile wisdom and secular disciplines? Through these questions, we will focus on how Judaism has interacted and grappled with the outside world while struggling to preserve its own integrity and distinctiveness. All congregants are welcome, and no prior knowledge is required. Please join us for a stimulating historical survey and discussion of these crucial issues in Jewish thought.