Our expert faculty will guide you through some of the most stimulating and challenging issues in Jewish thought.

We begin with one of the great works of the mediaeval period, Chovot Halevavot, by the 11th century scholar Bahya ibn Pakuda. Michael Pollak will show you how Bahya drew on the mystical philosophy of his era to create a guide to the inner life of the thinking Jew that is still relevant today. Chovot Halevavot will lead you to explore central questions of Jewish philosophy, including:  How do we know that God exists?  Are there reasons for the mitzvot? What is the purpose of the spiritual life?

In the second term, R. Harvey Belovski will introduce you to the thought of the Maharal, (Rabbi Yehudah Loew), the brilliant leader of 16th century Jewish Prague and master of Jewish philosophy and mysticism. The Maharal’s writings offer a fascinating synthesis of rationalism and kabbalistic thought and have guided modern readings of the Talmud and the Torah commentary of Rashi, as well as contextualising Jewish history and the purpose of the Torah itself.

The third term, taught by Dr Simon Cooper and Dr Tamra Wright, will focus on the challenging philosophical and theological questions raised by the Shoah. We will examine the works of the key thinkers who helped to reaffirm and reformulate Jewish faith for the generation living in the aftermath of the Holocaust, including Emil Fackenheim, Eliezer Berkovits, Emmanuel Levinas and Irving Greenberg. Grapple with difficult issues, including:

·         Has our understanding of the nature of God changed as a result of the Holocaust?  Does the Holocaust affect the covenantal relationship?

·       Should we allow the Shoah to shape our faith?

Get credit for this course - if you write three essays for this course, you can qualify for an LSJS certificate or diploma.

Teaching faculty

R. Harvey Belovski

Dr Simon Cooper

Michael Pollak

Dr Tamra Wright

Study times & term dates

Weds 8:00pm – 9:30pm

1st term: 3 Nov – 15 Dec 2010

2nd term: 9 Feb – 30 Mar 2011

3rd term: 18 May – 6 Jul 2011

Course fee £210

Book by Wednesday 15 September 2010 and get £25 off any year-long course

Book online anytime and save £5 www.lsjs.ac.uk