Dear Friends,

I want to personally invite you to join us again for a unique and very ambitious new course.
We’re called the “people of the book” for good reason! Over the millennia, Jewish literature and scholarship exploded from the original five books of the Torah into thousands of books of all kinds.

And it’s not just about numbers. The Jewish story literally revolves around these works. There are Biblical writings, Talmud, Midrash, Halachah, Kabbalah, and more.

·What are all these very different types of works?

·Who were their authors?

·What historical circumstances prompted their composition?

·How did they influence and even shape the history of our people?

·Why are they still the core of the Jewish story to this very day?

You’ll get all this and more at our newest course, Book Smart. This six-week “book-tour” explores the primary genres of Jewish scholarship, explains how each one reflects a distinct period in Jewish history, and gives us an appreciation for what’s in these “bestsellers” and the contributions they make.

But that’s not all. If I stopped here I’d be leaving out the best part.

Because what really makes Book Smart great is the opportunity to experience each of the central forms of classic Jewish writings. We'll be taking a page out of each of these books and getting a firsthand taste of their study, the stories, struggles, and revolutionary impact of their authors—collectively embodying the full span of Jewish history—will come alive!

Together we will:

·Participate in a Talmudic debate

·Apply a Jewish ethical principle to a real-life challenge

·Analyze a Midrashic parable

·Resolve a Halachic dilemma

·Unravel a Jewish philosophical conundrum

· Decipher an esoteric Kabbalistic text

·And come to appreciate how the original Five Books of Moses drive all subsequent Jewish learning.

Don’t just read about the Talmud: EXPERIENCE its uniqueness! Don’t just comply with Jewish ethics: BE A PART of applying its principles to real life! And don’t just wonder about the mysteries of Kabbalah: instead, TASTE its richness and its incredible otherworldly insight.

Book Smart course begins on Monday, January 23, 2023 and continues for six consecutive Monday evenings at 7:30 PM.

The class will be given virtually via ZOOM. Meeting ID to be provided upon registration.

The price is $79 (textbook included) with a 15% couple discount. Click the link for all the info and to register!

If you're not sure, please join us for the first class cost and commitment free to try it out.

This is going to be one amazing course, and I hope that you will be able to join!

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

All the best,

Rabbi Mendy Greenberg

Rabbi@MatsuJewishCenter.org

907.350.1787"