By Beverly Bidney - Special Correspondent

September 8th 2006

Study and debate have always been an important component of Judaism. The image of bearded men in dark suits and hats studying is an indelible one in Jewish tradition.

That tradition will be available to anyone beginning in November at the Chabad of Parkland's Jewish Learning Institute, one of 250 worldwide.

"The idea is to bring Jewish education and learning to life with a fresh perspective," said Rabbi Mendy Gutnick, a Learning Institute instructor. "We will explore different aspects of Jewish life in depth."

For thousands of years, scholars and rabbis have been poring over the Talmud, dissecting the meaning of the laws of the Torah. The Talmud, which was written by rabbis between the years 100 and 300 C.E., is a discussion of Jewish law as it relates to practical living.

Predictably, life has changed somewhat since the Talmud was written, so people still study and try to relate its teachings to life in the modern world.

The Learning Institute will offer a series of three courses, each lasting six to eight weeks. The first, "You Be The Judge," examines actual criminal and civil cases and compares them with Jewish law.

In the Talmud, a particular type of thinking prevails where no issue has but one resolution. One example of such thinking, as told by Gutnick, is as follows:

"Two people go into a house through the chimney. One arrives with a clean face, the other's is dirty. Who washes his face? The answer is the one with the clean face because he sees the other man's dirty face and assumes his is also dirty. But, if there is a mirror in the room, it changes everything and the man with the dirty face washes up.

But then the Talmud could ask how is it possible for one man's face to be clean and the other's dirty? Why do they enter the house through the chimney? The Talmud looks at the core of the issues from many different directions," Gutnick said.

Other classes will be "The Kabbalah of Character," in January and "Flashbacks in Jewish History," in May. Classes are designed to be interactive and will provoke discussion among the participants.

"I hope people will be able to understand the depth of Judaism," Gutnick said. "Judaism is not an open and closed religion, it is open-minded and adaptable to different circumstances."

The mission of the Jewish Learning Institute, which is affiliated with Chabad Lubavitch, is to inspire Jewish learning worldwide and to transform Jewish life and the greater community through Torah study.

The program is geared toward those who are interested in intellectual and spiritual growth through learning.

IF YOU GO

What: "You Be the Judge" courses

When: Six consecutive Thursday evenings beginning Nov. 9

Where: Chabad of Parkland, 7170 Hillsboro Canal Road.

Cost: $75, includes textbooks and refreshments.

To register: Call 954-796-7330 or go to www.chabadofparkland.com

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