DIVINE ENCOUNTERS: HOW HUMAN BEINGS MEET GOD IN THE BIBLE

Prof. James Kugel, Professor Emeritus, Bar Ilan University and Harvard University

1.    Seeing Biblically in the Book of Genesis
An exploration of the privileged sort of sight that Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, and other figures seem to have when they encounter God—and the implications of this kind of seeing for our own age.
Sunday | January 18th | 8pm

2.    The Story of Joseph and the Divine Long-Range Planner 
Why is this story different from all the other narratives in Genesis, and why does this difference make Joseph's encounter with the Holy One altogether unique? 
Sunday | January 25th | 8pm

3.    What Makes Us Sin? Two Ancient Answers
A number of texts from the late Second Temple period seem to hesitate between two explanations of human sinfulness. One of them seems quite reasonable to us nowadays, but the other is hard to account for. 
Sunday | February 1st | 8pm

4.    Hearing Voices and the Biblical Prophets
The phrase "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying..." is so common in the Torah that we seem to lose sight of its meaning. But really: how did God speak to Moses, as well as to other prophets? Did they hear a voice speaking actual words, or does the Bible seem to say something else?
               Sunday | February 8th | 8pm

The program will take place in English. Entrance is Free, subject to availability. Tickets may be reserved three days in advance at the BEIT AVI CHAI box office.