Course explores the soul’s journey

October 26, 2009

BY SPECIAL TO THIS WEEK

This November, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will unveil its fall course, SoulQuest: The Journey Through Life, Death, and Beyond. The twin mysteries of life and death have fascinated philosophers and laymen alike since the dawn of time. Many questions have been asked, but far fewer have been answered. 

“This is a classic case of the market creating the demand for this course,” says local JLI instructor, Rabbi Menachem M. Blum. “We have received consistent requests from students to create a course that addresses these issues head on. Sooner or later, everybody must reckon with questions of their own mortality.”

“This course addresses the most commonly asked questions about the soul’s journey,” says Rabbi Yisrael Rice, the course author. “And then some not-so-common questions that many people have never even thought of.”

“Though there are many traditions that deal with the nature of the soul and its journey through this life and beyond,” continues Rice, “this course reveals a counterintuitive conclusion that is unique to the Jewish tradition.”

Participants will find comfort in understanding the soul’s journey. Additionally, the course consistently brings the study of our before and after back to its practical ramifications of day-to-day living.

Lessons will examine a range of classic Jewish sources, drawing extensively from the Talmud and Kabbalah.

Blum of Ottawa Torah Centre will be teaching this course at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre at 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. for six Tuesday evenings, starting Nov. 3, and potential students are welcome to call 613-843-7770 for more information. The course will also be taught at the Main Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Ave. for six Thursdays, starting Nov. 5 during the lunch hour.

SoulQuest, like all JLI’s courses, is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge. Participants without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning can attend and enjoy this course. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not to be a member of any particular synagogue or temple.

Please visit www.myJLI.com or www.SoulQuestion.com for up-to-date information about SoulQuest.

JLI courses are presented in Ottawa under the auspices of Ottawa Torah Centre.