Printed fromChabadNorthridge.com
Ask the Rabbi
Subscribe
Subscribe to Regular Weekly Mailing
View all subscriptions »
Contact
Home
About
Donate
Login
Chabad of Northridge Celebrating the Soul of Judaism
Upcoming
Events
Kiddush Opportunities Partnership / Membership
Our
Shul
JLI Mensch Club
Register for JLI CLE Credits for Attorneys
Adult
Education
CTeen CTeen Jr - Discovery Club Sponsor a Youth Event Bat Mitzvah Club Mini Chefs Summer Camp Gan Israel
About Events Photos Sign Up Support
Youth
Home About Us Registration Calendar Curriculum Photos Aleph Champ
Information George Brown Memorial Hebrew School Scholarship Fund
Aleph Champ
Hebrew
School
Women's
Circle
General Tribute Card Kiddush Sponsor Support for Security at Chabad Memorial Plaque Chai Circle Campaign Vehicle Donation Wish List Planned Giving Hebrew School Scholarship Fund Donate People Helping People Fundraiser for Lucy Other JewQ Scholarship Fund
Why Giving Matters Ways To Give Gratitude Resources Contact
Donate
Aarons Culinary Raffle Tribute Photos Programs ACE Calendar 2022-2023 Donate ACE Cares
Rosh Hashanah Packages Thanksgiving Pickle Making CSUN Virtual Challah Bake Seven Species Fruit Feast and Cocktail Making Tu B'Shvat Gummy Shoppe Virtual Family Hamantasch Bake Purim Extravaganza Babka Bake The Cheesecake Factory
Shakes In The Shack The Great Pink Challah Bake Chanukah Chocolate Workshop Thanksgiving Pie Making Donut Showdown Sushi and CTeen Charcuterie Board Creations Family Hamantasch Bake Kosher Wine Night
Aaron's Model Matzah Bakery Sourdough Bake Pizza Making Mini Chefs ACE | 2020 Recap Aaron's Culinary 2020 Vision ACE | 2021 Recap
Women's Mega Challah Bake Chicken Soup Delivery For students Chicken Soup Delivery for the Community CTeen Sushi Making
Chanukah Toy Drive
Aaron's Culinary
Experiences
About Events Photos Sign Up Support
CTeen Banquet RSVP Torah and Chill CTeen Banquet 2023
Kickoff Event Chopped! High Holiday Edition Sukkot Unity Tournament Sukkah Mobile Pink Challah Bake Regional Shabbaton Parent and Teen Night Thanksgiving Chanukah in the Chocolate Factory Bubbles and Brushes
Purim Palooza Freedom Hike Volunteering at OBKLA Lag B'Omer
Donate Lounge Night Sponsor Sponsor Jewish Club at Granada
CTeen
ב"ה
Adult Education

JLI

WHEN 

4 Wednesdays,
7:30-9:00 P.M.

Beginning April 26th

This course is being offered for both online and in-person attendees

 
JOIN NOW

LOCATION

Chabad of Northridge
17142 Devonshire St.
Northridge, CA 91325

MORE INFO

Dinner will be served. 

Fee: $110 (Couples: $200)
Optional Textbook: $10


EARLY BIRD: Save 20% when you sign up before March 9th

Course Overview
Jewpernatural: Signs, spirits and superstition in Jewish belief

As we understand the natural world better, we have only grown more fascinated by mysterious topics like the meaning of dreams; the existence of angels, demons, and extraterrestrials; and the power of the evil eye. With record interest inspiring curiosity, dread, and mockery, this course probes the Talmud, Jewish philosophy, and kabbalah to provide Jewish perspectives and guidance for those curious about these perennial questions.
 

Lesson Outline

 

— 01
Dreams & Direction

We all dream as we slumber, but do the scenes of our dreams impart messages with lasting significance? And can we control our own dreams, perhaps to reduce nightmares and the like?

In this lesson, students will learn that traditional Jewish sources assert that the degree of meaning our dreams contain correlates with the degree of focus and meaning of our daytime thoughts. The occurrence of nightmares can be reduced through improving the quality of our daytime thoughts, strengthening our faith, and developing a positive Jewish bedtime ritual.

The lesson underlines the basic Jewish belief that there is no destiny that cannot be changed. Even if we are convinced that a particular dream forebodes negative events, we should know that prayer and good deeds can change any destiny.

 

— 02
Stars & Signs

Since the dawn of time, the endless sea of twinkling planetary configurations has been read to shed the secrets of individual Homo sapiens, or to eavesdrop on the celestial pulling of puppet strings attached to our lives. Do the stars in fact influence our natures or provide information regarding our unknown futures?

This lesson shows that there is strong—although not unanimous—support in Jewish sources for the basic validity of astrology. However, any Jewish belief in astrology is tempered by the fundamental Jewish beliefs that human beings always retain free choice regarding their moral conduct, and no destiny is absolute. As a result, even the Jewish authorities that give astrology some validity caution us not to turn to it for information, and to focus instead on faith in G‑d, Who shapes our destinies based on our actions.

 

— 03
Jinx & The Evil Eye

Cultures across the map and down the eras have maintained a belief in the negative powers of an “evil eye” and curses, and produced diverse methods of protection from it. What does Judaism have to say? Is there an evil eye, and what might be its effect? Can people harm others by cursing them?

In this lesson, students will learn that there is strong—although not unanimous—support in Jewish sources for the notion that the evil eye and curses can have damaging effects.

The most prominent Jewish theory for explaining the effects of evil eyes and curses is that they attract added Heavenly scrutiny to an individual—and therefore an audit of their behavior in relationship to the blessings they have in their lives.

The lesson then demonstrates a corresponding and effective approach to providing protection through being more private and refraining from unnecessarily flaunting our blessings.

 

— 04
Para & Normal

Is there other intelligent life out there in the universe? Does Judaism believe in angels and demons? Can we communicate with the souls of our deceased loved ones?

This lesson teaches that the question of the existence of extraterrestrial life does not have serious theological ramifications in Judaism, and there are traditional sources either way. The important Jewish principle is that we human beings are the purpose of creation.

Regarding angels, traditional sources describe them as spiritual entities that play a role in processing prayers to G‑d and His flow of blessings to us. Demons are depicted as impure spiritual forces that cause harm. But both angels and demons lack any independent authority, and thus they should not be subjects of our focus. It is we humans, created in the image of G‑d with the gift of free choice, that have the most meaningful relationship with G‑d.

Finally, students will learn that Judaism believes that the human soul is eternal and continues to exist after death. We can “communicate” with the deceased by performing good deeds in their honor, thereby giving them pleasure and advancing them in their new world, but any form of direct communication with the spirits of the dead is forbidden by Torah law.

 


Chabad of Northridge | 17142 Devonshire Street | Northridge, CA 91325 | 818-368-3937 | EIN 203990139

Powered by Chabad.org © 1993-2023 Privacy Policy