In this course will explore some of the key symbols and practices of the Jewish New year festivals - Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
For example, the Shofar - the ram's horn which is sounded for the entire month leading up to the New Year, and then on the High Holidays themselves.
This deeply meditative practice is the centerpiece of Rosh Hashanah and also concludes the Yom Kippur service.
As we will explore together, the call of the Shofar may represent cries we've forgotten, cries of our innermost self that we need to reclaim in order to pray with presence. The Shofar is calling us to reintegrate the lost parts of ourselves, so that we can move forward with greater wholeness.
We will learn Jewish texts from Kabbalah, including the Zohar, from the midrashic commentaries of our ancient sages, and from the Hasidic Masters about this and other ancient practices, which are still a part of our experience today.
In each session of this six-part course, we will learn about and then practice some of these ancient rites.
Join us as we delve into tales of the Golem from Prague, and passages from the ancient mystical text, Sefer Yetzirah (the Book of Creation).
We will join the High priest as he travels through the Heichalot (Heavenly Palaces) above and Jonah the prophet as he gets swallowed by a whale in the depths of the sea.
Each session will include a close reading of key sections from a variety of Jewish and psychoanalytic texts, followed by a related meditative practice.
All texts are provided in Hebrew and English translation. This course is open to novices and advanced learners of all backgrounds and orientations.
How does it work?
The course consists of six recorded sessions, of approximately 1.25 hours each. Participants are invited to enjoy the recordings at your own convenience.
Each session includes studying primary texts and a guided meditative practice based on the subject explored in class.
Registrants gain lifetime access to all the course materials, including the recordings of every class.