In this course, we will examine the foundations of Judaism as they are presented in the opening chapters of Genesis. Through a close and careful reading of the text, we will discover there are two narratives that reflect two distinct worldviews regarding the nature of God, of human beings, of our role in the world, of the relationship between the man and the woman, and much more.

1.       Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel--what is the point of these stories?

In this class, we will try to understand the point of these stories within the larger moral and theological framework of the first part of Genesis. 

2.       Genealogies-who cares? 

In this class, we will uncover the deeper meaning and importance of the early genealogies of Genesis. 

3.       The story, or stories, of the flood?

In this class, we will discover that there isn't one story of the flood, but two! 

4.       Flood story 1, its meaning and significance

Having established that there are two stories of the flood, we will see how version 1 of the flood fits into its own narrative flow and worldview. 

5.       Flood story 2, its meaning and significance 

In this class, we will see how version 2 of the flood presents its own flow and unique worldview.

Rabbi Dr. Harbater teaches “The Big Ideas of Jewish Thought” at different Jerusalem seminaries. He also teaches BA and MA level courses on the philosophy of education and on Jewish identity at Herzog College, and Jewish thought at the Gan Nachum high school in Rishon.

Rabbi Harbater received his Ph.D. in education from the University of Haifa and his semicha from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg in Jerusalem.  He lives with his family in Efrat.