The Jewish Learning Institute

Preview and Recap current courses being offered. Disclaimer; Recaps and overviews are listed without source material.

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Bumpers

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Journey of the Soul Lesson 6 Recap

Introduction In the final lesson of the course, we take another look at the origins of death. By understanding how death came to be, we have a new perspective on the ultimate state of a human being. Death & the Tree of Knowledge The Torah relates how the element of death only came to be after Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Knowledge. What is fascinating is that immortality is the ideal state for the human being.  Spiritual Death leading to Physical Death Before the episode of Adam and Eve, the body was an extension of the soul, and their desires and goals were perfectly in sync; in a broader sense, there was no separation between the physical world (the “body”) and its G-dly purpose (the “soul”). 

The eating from the tree was an act of spiritual death—the separation of body and soul due to misaligned values. This idea of dual values, body vs. soul naturally left the body, a vehicle with out its own internal engine, to physical death where the Soul, a self regenerating energy, will eventually departs from the body. Resurrection of the Dead In the Messianic Era, not only will death be abolished, but the souls of all those who perished will be reunited with their bodies. Every body will be resurrected, including those that possessed reincarnated souls. This is a cardinal principle of Jewish faith. Surprised? When Moshiach will come the spiritual and physical will once again be totally in sync with each other, and we will return to the original state of the world without death. This comes about through our fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvot with a Soul and a Body. With every Mitzvah that we do we are further bonding our Soul with our Body, undoing the effects of the Tree of Knowledge. Hence the ultimate reward will also be in the same state when the Souls will reenter the bodies which they occupied in their lifetimes. Living Resurrection The message of the resurrections is a message of Hope for our present lives. There are times that we feel lifeless or are despairing about the future of Jewish life. But we know that we have within ourselves the power to bring about a resurrection, new life and Jewish energy, within ourselves and with the people we meet. We need only be confident with our abilities. Course Conclusion The pain and grief over the death of a loved one would seem to be beyond healing. Yet G-d gives us the ability and strength, to recover and make the transition to continue with life. The void remains, but somehow we come to realize that its our mission to continue life, ours and through it that of our loved ones.

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Journey of the Soul Lesson 5 Recap

Introduction In our previous lessons we have focused on what happens with the Soul upon passing from this world. In this lesson we turn to the bereaved mourners and how the Jewish perspective on life and Soul provides guidance and support during their time of need. Mourning the Deceased; A Mitzvah In Judaism it is a Mitzvah to mourn the loss of the deceased. Although we established the eternal life of Soul leaving the body is a real loss. The family of the deceased is suffering the physical loss of their beloved, and the deceased the end of its mission on earth. The Mourning Process; Reentering Life Acceptance of the sad new reality is an important first step of mourning. This is exemplified by tearing one’s garment, which is a tangible expression of loss. Processing a loss is critical to the healing process. This is accomplished by Shiva, a mandatory period of grieving. The Torah validates and encourages mourning, but for a prescribed period of time, after which the mourner is enjoined to transition back to normal life. When one knows that the soul lives on and is not diminished by death, death loses its all-annihilating force, and one can slowly find the strength to move on. Judaism eases a mourner in this this process through cycles of mourning of the Shiva, first 30 days and 12 months. Overcoming Barriers At times mourners have difficulty overcoming their grief due to the pain of their loss. The pain may be reflected in anger or guilt. The Jewish perspective provides assistance in overcoming these barriers. Anger may be triggered by sensing that the deceased did not live their life to the fullest. But knowing that life is a gift from G-d, and that G-d gives us our time in this world to fulfill our purpose of existence provides solace and ameliorates the anger. Mourners commonly feel guilt due to what they perceive as unfinished elements in their relationship and the lost opportunity to right wrongs with the deceased. But Judaism teaches that with the eternal life of the Soul, the relationship with the deceased continues as the Soul sees the love and respect shown to them by their children. Though our physical relationship has ended, we give them spiritual gifts through the Mitzvot that we fulfill on their behalf. Comforting the Mourners The primary comfort that friends show to mourners is simply by being there. Our presence shows our care and offers comfort and lessens the loneliness and helplessness that accompanies mourning. We are careful not to intrude on the space of the mourner but to give them the opportunity to express themselves as well as to support them. Discussing the positive elements of the deceased allows the mourners to focus on their loss. It also helps them to appreciate the gift of the life of the departed and to perpetuate their relationship beyond the barrier of death.

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Journey of the Soul Lesson 4 Recap

Introduction With the concept of an eternal Soul comes a reality that is difficult to envision. So what are Heaven, Hell and Reincarnation? Are these Jewish ideas? Reward & Punishment Firstly, what is the concept of Reward & Punishment as it relates to Heaven and Hell? Every Mitzvah that we do creates a connection with the energy of G-d. Transgressions create a separation from G-d. For example the concept of respecting life is exposing that both you and creation outside of you share the same godly energy and a unique mission in the physical. Only in the afterlife, in a Soul state, can we truly comprehend and appreciate the depth of this connection or for that matter the separation created by negativity and evil acts. Reward and punishment is when in a soul state we recognize the good we have done or for that matter the separation we caused. Heaven & Hell Defined Hell is usually thought of as punishment, but this is not so in the Jewish view: The word for hell, Gehinom, is where the soul is rehabilitated. Most of us have behaved in ways that have distanced us from G-d, and as a result desensitized our soul to spirituality. As a result, we lack the spiritual faculties necessary to experience true self-awareness and divine energy. Because Gehinom is a phase, not a destination, every soul ultimately reaches its heavenly culmination of divine absorption and self-awareness, regardless of level of piety or religious observance. The maximum time a soul can spend in Gehinom is twelve months. Durring ones life Teshuvah also cleanses the soul of the self-harm caused by even the worse offenses. (Side Note: It is true that this opens the question of why follow the Torah if it is all about being a good person. There may be an element of truth there, but simply being good is not unique to your existence, neither is it sustainable confronted by every others creations general existence. The Mitzvot translated as Connections, allow us to truly express our individuality in the physical by respecting the divine energy that sustains it all. By following the divine blueprint, the Torah, one can maximize their life and enable life around them to flourish.) Once the Soul reaches a full state of divine self-awareness it can appreciate the impact it had on the world and ascend to a higher relationship in the energy of the divine. When loved of of a deceased do Mitzvot or say Kaddish in their honor it allows the soul to continue it’s growth and have influence on the souls it is still connected to on earth.

Reincarnation Reincarnation of the Soul is discussed in Kabbalistic works. Upon passing if the entire structure of the Soul has not been refined, the unrefined parts may be reincarnated to come to life again to complete the necessary tasks. We do not know what are the elements that our personal soul is still lacking and as our own individual self are obligated in all Mitzvot to connect to the divine energy in everything, finding our personal primary mission becomes exposed by our life’s journey. We emerge with three points: (1) Reincarnation is the pathway to realizing G-d’s master plan for the universe. (2) Reincarnation does not deny us of our personal identity, because while our soul is linked to other souls, it is completely independent of them. (3) Reincarnation gives each of us a unique role to play within the general human mission. Conclusion After the experience of doing something important, basking in glow of the accomplishment feels good. But far more significant is the work itself. Similarly, when we expose our Soul life that we are a “divine operative” in this world, the reward simply pales in comparison to living in the now. The experience of the soul in the afterlife is secondary to what we do in the here and now. The Mitzvot we do in this world are our true accomplishment.

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Journey of the Soul Lesson 3 Recap

Introduction Considering that we are an eternal Soul, and establishing that life continues even after one passes from this world, leads us to ask, how do we transition from physical life to soul living? and what is our relationship with those who have passed? A Heightened Connection During one's lifetime all relationships are viewed through the physical state. In order to have a meaningful relationship in this world, we must peal away the layers and connect on a deeper emotional level. The departure of the Soul from the body frees the Soul to engage directly and in a greater emotional capacity. This is reflected in how we can connect to our departed loved ones at any time simply by thinking of them and feeling the emotional bonding that was created during their lifetimes. Time and space are no longer limits in this relationship. The Departure of the Soul; The Mourning of the Survivors Leaving the body, it’s physical vehicle, is difficult for the Soul and takes time to adjust  and revert to it’s original consciousness. This process happens in stages and we parallel the mourning process for the sake of both the departed and the survivors in allowing the transition to go from mourning and pain to growth. The 4 stages are the intense mourning immediately upon death (first 3 days), the Shiva (7 days), Shloshim (30 days) and first Yahrtziet (full year). Together the Soul and the survivors are slowly coming into their new status. Caring for the Deceased The process of separation of body and soul is also reflected in the Jewish traditions in caring for the physical remains of the deceased. They are handled with the utmost respect, treated as a holy item, and with dignity and without unnecessary delay are returned to the earth from which we were created. Destruction or desecration of the deceased is strictly forbidden. We express our love for the deceased in the manner that we handle their remains. The Soul sees what we are doing and takes comfort for our efforts. Connecting Throughout The Years Jewish practices regarding the deceased extend beyond burial. The grave site is our physical connection and portal to the deceased. It is encouraged to visit the graves of our loved ones on Yartzeits, before the High Holidays and on special occasions. This strengthens the bond and love between the living and the those who have passed.  Conclusion Jewish traditions are based on the principle of the eternal Soul and the continuous bond that exists between the living and the deceased. Following these traditions brings comfort and strength to both.

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Journey of the Soul Lesson 2 Recap

Introduction This lesson transitions to discuss the benefits of our comfort with our mortality. In contrast to today’s “forever young” mindset, we find that our forefathers did not fear death, and actually perceived signs of aging and illness that precedes death as a blessing. Benefits of Contemplating our Mortality Facing our mortality and considering our ultimate destination helps us stay focused on what’s most important in life and that which is of lasting value. In contrast to the common belief that because we eventually die, nothing is that important (maybe that’s why were done with YOLO), Judaism teaches that, because we die, every moment should be focused on matters of eternal importance. Thus thinking about death helps us stay focused on what really matters in life. This humble vulnerability also prevents us from making ego-driven destructive choices. It drives us to improve today our relationship with G-d and to repair our relationships with family and our fellow man. And it teaches us to value every day of life. The Value of Time The present moment must be cherished not only because life is short, but because it contains G-dly potential waiting to be actualized. Time is a created gift given to us by G-d. As we are instructed not to be wasteful with our physical possessions, we are careful to use our time productively. We must show the meaning of every day in our lives. 

We played a Video of Steve Jobs talking about using this method of every moment being as if it were his last to propel him in life.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cTfCc8U4YU This is why retirement is not a Jewish concept. Productivity must extend throughout one’s life. As our bodily powers diminish, our purpose shifts to giving back by mentoring and sharing our wisdom and experience with others. Preparing for the Transition When we are at peace with our mortality, we can also calmly prepare for our transition to the next world. Even while we place great emphasis on living life to the fullest and preserving our health, the ability to prepare for death is a blessing. We can prepare through making order with our worldly matters and finances, giving moral guidance to our family, and by making the necessary arrangements, practically and halachically for when our time comes. 

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Journey of the Soul Lesson 1 Recap

Introduction Humans have a fear of death. A commonly accepted psychological theory, coined by Ernest Becker as the “Terror Management Theory,” maintains that the unique human awareness of death and our efforts to cope with this fear strongly influence many elements of our psyche, behavior, and life choices. How does the Jewish perspective of life and death help us cope with Thanatophobia (fear of death), and guide us as to how we should lead our lives? (for additional perspective watch this short video inspired by Becker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a-cHswkvMA

Defining Life The Jewish definition of life gives us a new perspective on death. In Judaism life is defined by our eternal soul, which is the primary essence of the human being. The soul exists prior to our life on this world and continues to live after our physical time has ended. Our Physical Life We are now ready for a complete picture of the nuanced Jewish perspective on (life and) death. On the one hand, the soul is eternal and is naturally at home in the spiritual realms. At the same time, the raison d’être of the soul—as well as all of Creation—is the time the soul (neshamah) spends in this world. This is why there is nothing more important than life. Pleasure vs. Purpose When the soul is in it’s state of spirituality, it’s heavenly abode, it is reluctant to leave. When on earth, it is reluctant to depart the place where it is making a difference “against your will you die.” The Sages explained it in this allegory “One hour in this world is more important than all of the next. One hour in the next world is more pleasurable than all of this one.” This perspective precludes thanatophobia, and allows us to fully and truly appreciate and value life but without fear of death.

How Does Death Affect The Way We Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGI5FDLVbZY Living Life Eternally People generally think of life as what happens between when one is born and when one dies. However the parts of the person that were concerned with bodily needs die with the body; the parts of the person that identified with the eternal soul, don’t die. So we can live a life of “death” even when we are alive (by not making choices that are in synch with our soul), and we can be alive even after our death (because everything our soul accomplished while being in a body lives on). When we live and identify with eternal values, we too become eternal. Life is not before or after death: it is beyond death.

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Judaism Decoded Lesson 5 Recap

Introduction Secular law is constantly changing to adapt to new circumstances and situations. Is the concept of change possible in any part of Jewish Law, Written or the Oral Tradition? The Written Torah and Received Law The written Torah and the Received element of the Oral Law, given directly by G-d to Moshe at Sinai, are not subject to change. This is one of the principles of Jewish belief. But why is change not possible when dealing with a different situation than the one that existed at Mt. Sinai? The Torah expresses G-d’s wisdom and will. Just as G-d transcends creation and time, so does His wisdom and will—the Torah. The Torah is not simply a response to ancient circumstances but is an eternal law. As G-d does not change, His wisdom and will do not change either. Modifying either the Written Torah or the Received Oral Torah would leave us with a new product, one that is not an expression of G-d’s wisdom and will. And as the Torah is the blueprint or inner code of creation, the world is a reflection of Torah and not vice versa. Even Heaven Can't Change Torah Even a proven prophet or a new divine message cannot change the Torah as it was given at Sinai. However in a few select situations, law was suspended in order to save people. Conclusion The Written Torah and its Received Law is not subject to change. Derived Law technically could change with a Sanhedrin that comes to a different conclusion than a previous Sanhedrin. Rabbinical law can be changed by a group of sages exceeding those who originally enacted the law.

To save a life and in select situation, preserve a community, parts of the derived and legislated elements of the Oral tradition have been temporarily suspended. 

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Judaism Decoded Lesson 4 Recap

Introduction Debates in the Talmud are a basic element of Jewish Studies. If the Oral Law is G-d given, how can there be a debate about what G-d said, and doesn't a debate challenge the premise of the divinity and validity of Jewish law? To answer these questions we examine the areas of the Oral Tradition where the possibility of a debate is and is not possible. Debating  As learned in Lesson 1, in the category Written & Received Law, which were directly given directly by G-d, you will not find debates. For example; No one debated that the meaning of "affliction" on Yom Kippur means anything other than fasting, or that the fruit of a "Hadar"Tree is something other than an Etrog. 

In Derived Law, where we are deriving additional elements of the Mitzvot through approved methods of analysis, debate is possible and very common. The same applies to Legislated Rabbinical Law. Reaching a Divine Conclusion All Talmudical and subsequent opinions, which follow the divine rules for deriving the law, are true as they each represent a divine perspective in the case under discussion. Thus every opinion has a divine reflection. 

When a final ruling is elusive, the Torah instructs us to follow the majority opinion. The majority opinion reflects the dominant element and perspective in the case under discussion which then defines the final outcome. As long as the majority of the Jewish people were living in the same geographical area, the majority opinion of the Sanhedrin- the High Court, and later the Talmud became binding for all Jewish people. With the dispersion of the Jewish people to multiple regions, the majority opinion of a court would be binding upon the community of its jurisdiction, but not necessarily for every region.

The system of Talmudical debates and their resolutions are the ultimate element of peace. When multiple views are debated and conclude with a decision, and the minority opinion agrees to follow the majority ruling, we have created true peace as it is derived from multiple perspectives. The Torah was primarily designed by G-d to bring peace to the world. Peace is harmony from diversity. By allowing each their own opinion and then finding a majority rule for the minority to accept, we achieve the greatest harmony of all. The divine reason for creation.

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