New JLI Course Explores Secrets in Well-Known Biblical Stories

What is the deeper, grown-up meaning behind some seemingly-absurd Bible stories from Hebrew School? Chabad centers in the region will be discussing six of them in the new Rohr Jewish Learning Institute course, “Secrets of the Bible: Iconic Stories, Mystical Meanings, and Their Lessons for Life”

The first session will discuss the story of Adam and Eve, and the choice of knowledge versus paradise. The second session, about the Great Flood, discusses letdowns in relationships, and why God seeks to destroy the world He created.

The third story is about the conflict between Jacob and Esau, while the fourth story explores life goals through the lens of Jacob and his wives, and Joseph and his brothers.

The fifth session looks at the Golden Calf story and why humans are so easily impressionable and led astray. The final session looks at the rebellion of Korach against Moses’ leadership, and how each person contributes to society regardless of their leadership level.

Chabad in Metairie will have virtual classes via Zoom on Tuesdays, starting Oct. 27 and skipping Nov. 3, at 10:30 a.m. In-person classes will be Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., also starting Oct. 27, in an outdoor open tent. The first class is a free standalone, with sushi served at the evening class. Registration for the course is $70, including the textbook.

Chabad of Louisiana will have the course Uptown on Wednesdays, starting Nov. 4. An online session will be at 6 p.m., with in-person sessions at 7:30 p.m. Registration is $70 for the course, and the first session is free.

In Birmingham, the Beit Ariel Chabad Center will have the class in person on the Chabad patio, weather permitting, with social distancing guidelines, or online by Zoom. Registration is $89 including the textbook, and the sessions will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays starting Nov. 4.

In Baton Rouge, the sessions will be live at the Richmond Inn and Suites or by Zoom, Mondays at 7 p.m. starting Nov. 2. Registration is $69 plus $20 for the book, with a 10 percent discount for two or more registrations.

Registration for JLI can be completed here.