Maimonides searched and sifted all available Jewish texts to glean those beliefs that serve as the very underpinnings of Judaism. He came up with thirteen specific beliefs. From his day onward, the greatest minds expounded on these principles of faith and sought to understand why these are so fundamental. In this semester we will survey eight of the thirteen principles.

This course will include the a discussion of the following topics:

LESSON ONE: FAITH
Before we can discuss the Thirteen Principles of Faith we must first answer some basic questions about faith. What is faith? Why do we believe? Can one be a good Jew/person without faith? Is faith "blind"? Where does our intellect come into the picture?

• LESSON TWO: THE EXISTENCE OF G-D
  

  Who or what is G-d? Can we prove His existence? Is G-d a He or a She? What role, if any, does G-d play in our lives?

  LESSON THREE: MONOTHEISM - UNITY OF G-D, INCORPOREALITY, FIRST CAUSE
  Monotheism, the belief in one G-d, is among Judaism’s greatest contributions to the world. This class will explore Judaism’s unique understanding of G-d’s unity.

  LESSON FOUR: NO INTERMEDIARIES
  Judaism insists on each individual’s ability to communicate with G-d. This principle of faith does away with the belief that one can only reach G-d through intermediaries. How do we reconcile this belief with our belief in prophets and in Moses?

  LESSON FIVE: PROPHECY, PROPHECY OF MOSES
  A basic premise of Judaism is that our communication with G-d is a two way street. But what proof can we have that someone is a prophet? How can we distinguish between a true prophet and a false one? What distinguishes Moses’ prophecy from all the others?

  Coming in January:
  FOUNDATIONS OF JEWISH LIFE: WHAT DO JEWS BELIEVE? Part II (Torah, Reward and Punishment, Moshiach, Resurrection)

  Coming in March:
  FOUNDATIONS OF JEWISH LIFE: WHAT DO JEWS BELIEVE? Part III (The Soul, The Afterlife, Heaven, Hell & Reincarnation, Holy people, Evolution?)

  Coming in May:
  FOUNDATIONS OF JEWISH LIFE: WHAT DO JEWS BELIEVE? Part IV (Angels, Dreams, Other Worlds, Psychic Phenomena, Evil Eye, Superstitions, Occult, Miracles)

  *This course is part of an extensive and comprehensive multi-year curriculum that covers all of Jewish thought, practice, history and culture. If you wish to receive a brochure of the entire curriculum contact us at 716.568.1425 or via e-mail at: info@jewishdiscovery. Although this is part of a four year curriculum, feel free to take any one of these courses independently.

Lesson One: COVENANT ONE
hen Noah exits the ark that saved him from the flood that destroyed virtually all of humanity he brings offerings to G-d. G-d responds with a covenant never to destroy the earth again and He dramatizes this covenant with the appearance of a rainbow. In this class we will discuss the significance of G-d’s promise to Noah, and why the rainbow was chosen as an appropriate symbol for this covenant and its relevance to our lives.

Lesson Two: COVENANT TWO
When Abraham asks G-d how he can be assured that he will inherit the Land of Israel, G-d responds with a covenant, promising him the Land of Israel for his progeny. The covenant involves many symbolic acts. We will explore the need for these rituals and the deeper meanings inherent in them.

Lesson Three: COVENANT THREE
The most famous of all covenants—the ritual of which we still perform to this day—is the Covenant of Circumcision (Brit Milah). G-d commands Abraham to circumcise himself and his male progeny and for all male Jews for future generations. This ritual-commandment forms the basis of Jewish identity and is arguably Judaism’s most preserved and “popular” ritual. This class will shed light on the importance and function of this ongoing covenant, and why it has endured throughout the ages.

Lesson Four: COVENANT FOUR
History’s most momentous event is the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai. This epiphany is also referred to as G-d’s covenant with the Jewish people. We will examine the reason as to why the Torah is called a covenant and how it adds to the already existing covenants.

Lesson Five: COVENANT FIVE & SIX
Prior to the entry into the Promised Land, situated in the Plains of Moab, G-d makes another covenant with the Jewish people. In this session, we will address the following questions: (a) What is the nature of this covenant; (b) What distinguishes it from the one entered into at Sinai? (c) Why does G-d wait for the entry to the Land of Israel to make this covenant?

One of the great misconceptions about Judaism is the reference to a “New Covenant” in the Book of Jeremiah. This description leaves the impression that the existing laws of the Torah – the so-called “old covenant”—will become obsolete, G-d forbid. This is, of course, contrary to the Torah’s repeated assertions that all its commandments are “eternal laws for all future generations.” In this class we will explain the true nature of this “new” covenant and how it represents another stage in the developing relationship we have with G-d.

Coming in January:
The Kabbalah of Change: A 5 STEP PROGRAM

Coming in March:
Jewish History in-Depth: The Jewish community in the early 18th century

Coming in May:
Talmudic Wisdom as Practiced In the Age of Cyberspace