London School of Jewish Studies
Raphael is Chief Executive and Head of Faculty at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS), the centre of modern orthodox Jewish learning in the UK. He created the Torah L'Am Crash Course, is a Jerusalem Fellows graduate and holds a PhD in quantum chaos theory and an MA in adult education. Text study is his passion.
What Fruit did Adam and Eve Eat in Eden?
Jewish Education,
Text & Thought
There are five theories of what they ate suggested by various Talmudic sages and not one of them is an apple! We will look at all the possibilities, explain the apple mistake, and show how this issue is really about the nature of knowledge. If you don’t want to know, don’t swallow…
The Seven Levels of Laziness
Identity & Responsibility,
Text & Thought
Why does staying a bit longer in bed always feel better than getting up? According to a little-known midrash, which we will study in depth, King Solomon identified seven variants of the lazy personality. They reflect our tainted desire for a life of fulfillment and they touch the heart of every Jew. This class is for anyone who yearns to be more awake.
The Disappearance of Moses
Ritual & Prayer,
Text & Thought
What exactly happened when Moses disappeared up Mt. Sinai? How long did he spend there and what did he say to God? We will piece together the story by looking at a range of Exodus verses and commentaries. It turns out that the heavenly trip of Moses was a microcosm of his life and a perfect way to spend the summer! This class will take you on a journey from Shavuot to Yom Kippur and prepare you for the High Holy days coming in September.
