Secrets of the Bible

Secrets of the Bible explores the deeper meanings of six iconic biblical stories. Each of these stories raises questions and mysteries that have challenged the minds of students of the Torah for many centuries. Every generation, and every genre of Torah commentary, has addressed these questions, each in its own way.

In this course, we explore the unique approach taken by the masters of Kabbalah—an approach that ties the deepest mystical secrets of Creation with practical, down-to-earth applications to daily life.

Join us for a six-part series that will radically change the way you see the stories of the Torah!

Six Thursday Afternoons
October 30, November 56, 13, 20, December 4, 11
12:00 - 1:15 pm

Classes take place at:

Chabad Toco
1229 Jody Lane
Atlanta, GA 30329

Course fee $99 (includes lunch and materials)
Sponsorship opportunities available

Course Overview:

Lesson 1
The Tree of Knowledge
Unraveling the mystery of the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad" from which Adam and Eve ate illuminates many of the questions we grapple with in our own lives. Why do we desire things that we know are bad for ourselves and for others? Why does everything we achieve require hardship and struggle? How much should we care: Is it better to be objective and true or subjective and engaged?

Lesson 2
Noah’s Ark
Can G-d's plan for His world fail so catastrophically that the Creator regrets its very creation? And if it can, why can't it happen again? How does the rainbow symbolize the new world generated from Noah's Ark? Exploring the answers to these questions reveals the inner dynamics of the relationships that define our lives: the relationships between parent and child, between teacher and student, between employer and employee, and between G-d and us.

Lesson 3
Jacob and Esau
The epic struggle between the most famous twins in the Bible assumes many forms: the contest between sword and word, between matter and spirit, between self-realization and self-transcendence. We learn that Creation itself comes in two formats: a powerful yet unstable "World of Chaos," and a moderated and focused "World of Correction." In every area of life, we straddle both realms, and can look to the Jacob-Esau story for guidance in navigating this duality.

Lesson 4
Joseph and His Brothers
Our exploration of the deeper significance of the conflict between Joseph and his brothers takes us from a history of Jewish leadership, to the structure of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, to an enigmatic debate recorded in the Talmud on the question: Which is greater, learning or action? We discover that there are two parallel quests embedded in the human soul, each of which—as well as the tension between them—is essential to our mission in life.

Lesson 5
The Broken Tablets
Can it be that the greatest divine revelation in human history failed to communicate its most basic message? Examining the dynamics behind the story of the Golden Calf and the Broken Tablets, we gain insight into some of the foundational underpinnings of the Jewish faith.

Lesson 6
Korach’s Rebellion
The story of Korach's rebellion against the leadership of Moses addresses a number of fundamental questions on the variety of paths we follow through life. If every individual has a direct relationship with G-d, why are there "hierarchies of holiness" in the communal structure established by the Torah? If the purpose of Creation lies in the sanctification of physical life, why is the spiritual deemed "higher" than the material? What determines when our differences devolve into conflict, and when they become the ingredients of harmony?