Philosophy

Found 7 Search results

1. Implications of the Akeida: Part 1 - Ethics and Obedience

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 33 minutes

   This first part of a series about the philosophical implications of the Akeida considers the ethical implications of Avraham’s choice.  How should one act when religious dictates seem to clash with an ethical violation? Does God command something because it is good, or is it good because God commands it? This shiur explores these ideas as they relate to the challenge of Akeidat Yitzhak and looks at midrash and the approach of Kirkegaard to further develop this topic.

2. Implications of the Akeida: Part 2- Human Knowledge of the Good

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 35 minutes

   In the second part of this series, we challenge and reject the notion that Abraham forfeits the ethical in order to obey God, or that it is impossible for man to come to know the ethical or moral truth of his own accord. On the contrary, we argue that there is an independent idea of “good" that man can indeed come to know, and that God also does not command the impossible or the unethical. 

3. Implications of the Akeida - Part 4: Prophetic and Religious Challenges of the Akeida

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 32 minutes

   In this fourth instalment of the Akeida series, we discuss the nature of prophecy, the limits of Ahavat Hashem (the commandment to love God), and the goals of the Torah. We examine the Rambam’s point of view as we wonder about the challenge inherent in the Akeida. Is this episode a challenge for Avraham, for God (as it were), or for the rest of the world? 

4. Implications of the Akeida: Part 5 - Potential, Intent, Action

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 32 minutes

   In the fifth instalment of the series, we focus on another philosophical perspective-- that of Hasdai Crescas. Why does evil take place? And is there value in concrete actions in developing one’s personality? Does personality determine one’s actions? Does being brave mean that one will successfully meet challenges, or cam one become brave through the process of confronting challenges?

5. The Letter Lamed and Akeidat Yitzhak

   Dr. Avigail Rock

6. Mishlei - Part 4: A Treasure Hunt

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen | 37 minutes

   In this fourth part of this Mishlei series, we will study stiudy fourth poem- the entire second chapter of Mishlei.

   In this chapter we enter into spiritual knowledge and  delve into philosophy in the religious sense. If you are searching for treasure – you will be looking in a particular place. If you want to succeed in studying for spiritual knowledge, you will need to search with sustained effort, but it also must be done from excitement and enjoyment. Natural wisdom depends on you calling back to nature. Spiritual wisdom comes if God decides to give it to you, but you can call out to him, too - in a form of tefilla. We look at the metaphor of the "bad woman" and the "bad man" who try to steer people astray. We examine some philosophical aspects of mitzvot, and discuss reward and punishment.

   What you make of the world is what the world makes of you.

7. Mishlei - Part 11: Wisdom Before Creation

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen | 40 minutes

   The eleventh part of our series looks at the majority of the second half of the eighth chapter of Mishlei. This section contains some of the most philosophical parts of the book. We will aim for a literary reading, but our reading will bring out some philosophical ideas which we will see in context. We encounter the tension between the ideas that pride is antithetical to wisdom, but knowledge is power.  We consider the concept of God as Creator and “acquirer” of the world, and relate it to the story of Malkitzedek and Avraham, who wanted God’s name to infuse society.

   What does it mean that God created wisdom before forming the universe? The basis for coming closer to God is translating the wisdom that preceded existence into our reality. Once it plays out in reality, it becomes a delight to human beings.