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	Online Study The course map below provides an outline for the course. If you've never taken a Torah class, or studied on the Internet, you can try a sample demo class. If you enjoy this demo, you can register for this 8 session class. Course Introduction This course is an introduction to study of the Zohar from a liberal Jewish perspective. It includes a substantial introduction to Zohar study and seven translated texts with commentary, as well as recommendations for further reading. Students are invited to begin with either the introduction or the texts, and to move back and forth between them. To participate in the 'bulletin board' for comments and discussion you must register. Please feel free to ask questions and make comments at any time. There will be a sincere attempt to seriously answer all questions. Starting in mid-February, this course outline will be 'live'- that is, the titles to each module will be links to the actual modules. They are currently disabled while we put the finishing touches to the course. Please register if you would like to participate in the moderated forum. Course Outline Introduction What the Zohar Is A Liberal Perspective How to Study Zohar Kabbalah and the Zohar Crash Course in Kabbalah: Secrets; Sefirot Images of God Unity and Plurality Reclaiming Christian Images The Self and the Other Feminine and Masculine The Zohar as a Resource and Model   Translated Texts Session One The Rose (opening passage of the Zohar: the Shekhinah as a rose receiving divine light)   Session Two Trees of the Garden (mystical meaning of the sin of Adam and Eve)   Session Three Jacob and Esau (connectedness of good and evil)   Session Four Wisdom of Solomon (terrifying imagery of the Shekhinah)   Session Five Unity (interpretation of the Shema as including plurality)   Session Six "Making God" (how we "make God" through mitzvot)   Session Seven The Deer of the Dawn (the travails of the Shekhinah in caring for the world)   Session Eight Resources & Reading list   Course Instructor Justin Jaron Lewis is student rabbi of Congregation Iyr Ha-Melech of Kingston, Ontario (Reform) and the on-line teacher of "Tastiest Torah Treats" at Kolel. He is completing his rabbinical studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York City, the only post-denominational rabbinical school, and writing a PhD thesis at the University of Toronto on Hasidic stories. Justin has published articles on topics in Judaism and storytelling, and has taught Torah and told Jewish stories across North America, from Cape Breton to Whitehorse. He has been studying and teaching Zohar for years, and identifies with the saying of the Hasidic Rebbe Pinchas of Koretz, "The Zohar has kept me Jewish." Justin thanks his partner, Jane Enkin, for her help in editing this project.
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