The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present The Jewish Course of Why, the institute’s new six-session winter 2016 course that will begin in February.

Rabbi Nochum Kurinsky of Chabad at the Beaches will conduct the six course sessions at 7 p.m. on six consecutive Wednesdays at The Aaron and Blanche Scharf Chabad Center, 521 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

“No religion is known for its rational basis and its welcoming of questions and intellectual debate quite like Judaism,” explained Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI’s headquarters in Brooklyn.

“In preparing for the course, we turned to over 30,000 people who each submitted their biggest questions about Judaism. We then selected the most popular among them and addressed each one with resonant insights from the greatest minds in Jewish history.”

The Jewish Course of Why spans a diverse range of topics, from fun, light, and off-the-beaten-track questions, to more complex and controversial issues. Some of the course’s 50 questions include: Why are there so many Jews in Hollywood? Why do Jews eat gefilte fish and cholent and wish each other mazal tov and l’chaim? Why does the Bible sanction slavery and animal sacrifices? What is the cause of anti-Semitism? What does Judaism say about Christianity and about the role of women in Jewish life?

In addition to the above, the course offers insight into mysterious Jewish practices, strange biblical narratives, and enigmas of Jewish identity.

The course is open to the public, but space is limited so you must register for the course in advance. Classes begin Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Cost: $79.99 per person; $20 for book.

You can register via the link at chabadbeaches.com or visit myjli.com for registration and cost details. For more information about this or any other Chabad activity or event, contact Chabad by phone at (904) 543-9301, or by email at [email protected].

jacksonville.com/community/shorelines/2016-01-13/story/why-do-jews-say-mazel-tov-and-lchaim