My G-d: Defining the Divine
6 Wednesday evenings, 9th November - 14 December 8:15-9:30 PM.
In-person or on Zoom, register for the address and Zoom link.
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-d’s nature, G-d’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.
Scroll down for the full lesson overview.
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You can register for the entire course or book single classes.
Please consider making a donation to help bring more such learning opportunities to the community, all donors of £75 and above will receive a complementary textbook.
LESSON OUTLINE
Lesson 1
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 2
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 3
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 4
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 5
His Paradoxes
Let’s delve into some of the deeper Divine mysteries and enigmas:
Can G-d create a rock that He can’t 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 6
Our Relationship
Let’s deepen our understanding of our relationship with G-d:
Why can’t we see G-d? Because we can’t 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?