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Course Overview
By most indications, modern society is a model of moral progress. Yet when it comes to everyday values, we still grapple with the big ones…
- What are our responsibilities toward the less fortunate?
- How do we fashion a more moral and equal society?
- How can we make a move toward more cohesive family living?
Join us to unpack six of the world’s most cherished values and how they were delivered to humankind by the Torah. By tracing their fascinating journey to the mainstream, we’ll discover a timeless core of purpose, integrity, and clarity in each value—a powerful gift of guidance as we navigate our own daily choices.
Lesson Outline
Lesson 1
The Gift of Social Responsibility To the ancients, poverty and suffering were unfortunate facts of life for the unlucky to bear alone. It was the Torah that introduced the radical concept of social responsibility. So, what’s the true nature of that responsibility? Whose is it? And how should I relate to those receiving my help?
Lesson 2
The Gift of A Guiding Purpose Abraham, the first Jew, discovered something that shook the foundations of the pagan society around him: there was one—only one—G‑d, Creator of Heaven and earth. Monotheism drastically changed the way humanity has viewed life, purpose, and progress ever since. Discover how.
Lesson 3
The Gift of Respect for Life It might seem axiomatic that human life is valuable, but a hard look at history reveals that the concept was once considered utterly radical. To discover how respect for life became a universal value, we’ll explore the underlying questions: What makes us human? And what are we here to do?
Lesson 4
The Gift of Equality and Individuality Mastery over others was long deemed a birthright: some were born to rule; others to be ruled. Today, civil people agree that no one is intrinsically inferior or superior. This shift is thanks to the Torah’s revelation that we are all equally created in G‑d’s image: just as G‑d cannot be redundant, no human can be.
Lesson 5
The Gift of Work/Life Balance Originally, those who labored did so endlessly. The Torah introduced us to Shabbat, mandating that Jewish people pause from work for a full day each week to focus on life’s purpose, on worship, and on family. As the modern world begins to recognize the benefits of Shabbat, our call to set aside that time of focus is more critical than ever.
Lesson 6
The Gift of Escaping the Cycle Early societies considered human history locked in an endless cycle of war, conquest, peace, and more war. The Torah insists otherwise: we can, must, and will change the world for the better; war will eventually cease; justice and kindness will ultimately prevail. Today’s world is more eager than ever to hear this empowering message. Our closing lesson will suggest ways we can share it.
Click here for the playlist:
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Course Overview
A lush garden...a snake...forbidden fruit...temptation...the sin of knowledge...shame...mortality...
What is really going on?
Revisit six seemingly absurd stories you likely remember from Hebrew school. Uncover their hidden themes and eye-opening insights into the mysteries of life.
~ What is the deeper meaning behind these stories?
~ How did they shape the Jewish worldview?
~ What wisdom do they hold for you today?
Sign up for a thought-provoking experience, sure to deepen your understanding of Judaism and enrich your life!
Lesson Outline
Story One
Would you choose knowledge over paradise? Would you rather be objective and unengaged or passionate and invested? Why is temptation more compelling than reason? What’s the big idea behind Adam and Eve eating the fruit of knowledge and the resulting human struggle with self-consciousness?
Story Two
How do you see past another's failures? If a person you love lets you down, is the relationship over? How do you build a resilient connection that will survive any storm? The secret is buried in the theme of the Great Flood: why G‑d created a world only to destroy it, and how He guarantees there will never be a repeat.
Story Three
Will the real you please stand up? At some point, we're all conflicted: torn between a drive to do good and the temptation of lust, greed, and power. In this session, you'll meet your inner Jacob and Esau—the recluse and the hunter—and understand their lifelong conflict. Why does Isaac prefer the materialistic Esau? And why does the wholesome Jacob resort to deception to obtain his father's blessings?
Story Four
Your life and its goals: are they compatible? You may love what you do, or where it gets you, but seldom both. Uncover this tension in the strange relationships between Jacob and his wives and between Joseph and his brothers, and explore ways to navigate the delicate balance between personal growth and practical impact.
Story Five
Why is inspiration so short-lived? Infidelity under the wedding canopy is the story of our lives. Why do New Year’s resolutions barely last a day? We are so easily impressionable, yet our stimulation doesn’t linger. Discover a powerful hack for creating lasting impact from two sets of tablets and the worship of a golden calf.
Story Six
Does a higher station make You a better person? If all people were created equal, why do some occupy more elevated positions than others? You weren’t dealt the same hand as your neighbor; does this make you inferior to them? Explore Korach’s challenge to Moses’s leadership to gain insight on privilege and every person's unique contribution to society.
Click here for the playlists:
JLI - Secrets of the Bible #1
JLI - Secrets of the Bible #2
JLI - Secrets of the Bible #3
JLI - Secrets of the Bible #4
JLI - Secrets of the Bible #5
JLI - Secrets of the Bible #6
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