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The Torah weaves law and instruction with dialogue and narrative; often miraculous and supernatural events and stories like the Exodus narrative of the Ten Plagues, the splitting of the sea into 12 walkable dry paths and the momentous national prophecy at the foot of Mount Sinai. Supernatural narratives are not unique to our religion; rather a claim of revelation of some kind is always at the formation of every religion. In this class we attempt to construct a logical analysis of the veracity and historicity of the Jewish miraculous narratives. Did we actually consume heaven sent manna on a daily basis for 40 years in the wilderness? What evidence do we have to prove this and the many other miraculous claims of the Torah?

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There is an important difference between the Aggadic portions of the Talmud – the ethical and philosophical sections, and the Halacha/law portions. Also, learn why the study of the Babylonian Talmud supersedes the study of the Jerusalem Talmud, despite that fact the the latter was written 180 years earlier.

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Learn about some of the fine details about how courts are constructed, how evidence is presented in Jewish courts, and the incredible efforts that the Torah demands from us to ensure that a just verdict is reached.

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What does Judaism say about organ donations, DNRs and euthanasia?

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Historically, the Jewish people remained almost completely free of sectarianism, and that is one of the reasons for our continued survival as a people and as a religion against all odds throughout the millennia. Yet in the 19th Century several modern splinter sects sprang up, namely the Reform, the Conservative, and to a lesser extent, the Orthodox, movements. What caused their formations and what today are their – increasing narrowing – differences

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Ever wonder why we fast on the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, Tisha b’av, and on the happiest – Yom Kippur? Listen and learn all about the four minor and two major Jewish fasts.

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In the book of Numbers we read about the heroic actions of Pinchus who avenged God’s fury and murdered a Jewish leader who was publicly fornicating with Midyanite woman. The Torah accords him with much honor for his courageous acts. What is the deal with this? Are we allowed to take the law into our own hands and mow down sinners?

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For more than three millennia now the Jews have remained steadfastly dedicated to Torah study. Even during times when 99% of their non-Jewish neighbors were illiterate, every man, woman and child in the Jewish community was able to read and write – and well versed in Torah. Jewish societies have historically valued Torah knowledge and study above all. The Torah scholar was revered, and the Torah ignoramus reviled; in Talmudic times the sharpest barb possible was calling someone a “reik” – an empty person devoid of Torah. What about the Torah is so critical, crucial, pivotal and essential that has fostered such an unyielding love and devotion? In this presentation, Rabbi Wolbe assembles some of the famous – and some of the more obscure reasons – why even in contemporary times the study of Torah is invaluable if a better life is what you seek.

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There is a fine line between arrogance and a keen understanding of the brutal facts; between humility and delusion. Did Moses – the humblest of men – know that he was the Jewish greatest prophet? Is the smartest guy in the room allowed to know that fact without transgressing on the severe sin of גאוה, haughtiness? Join Rabbi Wolbe in grappling and pondering these important questions.