Torah Studies

Edmonton JLI, is proud to present our Torah Studies catalog of classes for the third season of the year.

These classes are offered two times at two different locations:
 
Sundays at 10:00 AM (BLT - Bagels, Lox & Torah), at Chabad of Edmonton 502 Wolf Willow Rd. This class is for both Men and Women. 

*Indicates Monday morning class At Chabad, we value a deep, rich learning experience and we aim to provide this in an unequivocal way. This is why we have brought you a Torah Studies program of the highest caliber, developed by the world-renowned Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. The program brings you a series of stimulating text and discussion based classes that take place on a weekly basis. Our lessons will engage you in a multidimensional way by challenging you intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. They explore contemporary issues through a Torah perspective as well as tackling timeless questions in the Jewish tradition.

I invite you to browse through the topics in this catalog and to join us for some weekly inspirational study. In this new season, you will also find classes on the holidays of Lag BaOmer and Shavuos. These classes are open to all, whatever your level of learning may be, and we encourage you to bring your friends along.

	April 27 & 30 The Perils of Perfectionism Why Half-Measures Can Be Good Enough The motivational books shout, "Only the best will do! Do it right or don’t do it at all!" Is this the healthiest approach? Is it OK to be happy with second best? The Jewish calendar has a built-in mechanism that balances our dreams of perfection with our imperfect reality.
	May 4 & 7 Positive Thinking Three Reasons Why It’s So Powerful Does positive thinking produce real results or is it simply a placebo? We put it to the test by looking at biblical episodes where positive thinking is in the spotlight. Does it work? Why? And where do we draw the line between positive thinking and wishful, dangerous thinking?
	May 14 & 18 The World Is a Wedding How Marriage Explains Our Universe How do a man and a woman, so fundamentally different, marry and become one? In Jewish thought a death anniversary, as well as life itself, is called a wedding. Why? A look at the true drama of marriage explains why it is the model for creation.
	May 21 Durable, Diverse, and Detailed Three Ways Judaism Thrives This class argues that the Jewish future lies precisely in its alleged weaknesses: its refusal to change, its lack of consensus, and its obsession with details. A cutting look at the packing materials of the ancient Jews tells us why conventional wisdom has it wrong.
	May 25 & 28 How Do Blessings Work? Closing the Gap Between Hope and Reality Can a blessing change reality? If the hard facts tell us one thing, how can a blessing—for children, for health, for income—tell us another? To find the answers, this class zeroes in on the fascinating history of the Priestly Blessing, one of Judaism’s most cherished traditions.
	June 1 & 2* The King of the Jews An Inside Look at the Life of King David King David has been assured his place in history, but at the time he ruled, he faced vicious opposition, mutiny, and relentless slander. Find out how the father of Jewish monarchy salvaged his reputation and built a model for benevolent kingship.
	June 8 & 11 The Strange Case of the Stick Gatherer Real Lessons from the Bible's Mysterious Dissident If you’ve ever struggled with balancing your hectic work life with peaceful personal development, study the tale of the lone man caught gathering sticks on Shabbat in the Sinai Desert. We dig deep behind the mysterious story to learn how to build an oasis in time.
	June 15 & 18 Dignified Debate Respecting Other Opinions While Maintaining Our Own Too often, disagreements turn into battles. Still, some people manage to “agree to disagree.” What’s their secret? This class analyzes Korach’s historical rebellion to discover how to engage in constructive debate without sparking conflict.
	June 22 & 25 Curious Tales of the Talmud Messages Behind the Magic and the Mystery The Talmud has puzzling stories: a Sage arguing with G‑d and winning, bizarre debates about red cows, and legal wrangling about leprosy. This class traces the common thread that runs through these stories and discovers that it is all part of the broader question: Can we ever break free of our material moorings?
	June 29 & July 2 Dreaming of Redemption Why Moshiach Makes a Difference to Our Lives Judaism believes in monotheism, social justice, and developing our world. So why are we obsessed with Moshiach? Is it the anticipation of reward? Of utopia? Something far more fundamental must lie at the heart of the great Jewish hope.
	July 6 & 9  Master a Mitzvah Finding Our Niche in Judaism Are you a charity champion? A kashrut connoisseur? Passionate about prayer? Destiny has granted each of us one particular mitzvah which we must embrace and make our own. Discover how to identify your unique calling and why it so important to who you are.
	July 13 & 16 How to Heal Hatred The Psychology of Animosity Some people drive us mad, while others don’t bother us at all. Why? What makes us angry? The ancient animosity between the Israelites and Midianites serves as a paradigm for all conflicts—and how to resolve them.