Rohr Jewish Learning Institute offering course on sages

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute in Calgary is presenting some interesting sessions on ancient tales that are sure to spark people’s curiosity.

Curious Tales of the Talmud: Finding Yourself in the Legends of Our Sages is the institute’s new six-session Spring 2013 course that began the week of April 21.

Rabbi Mordechai Groner leads the sessions.

The evening course is on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. with the morning course on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

They are being held at Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta.

“We’ll explore the mystical dimension of the Talmud called the Aggadah, to uncover profound wisdom from some of the zaniest and most epic legends you’ll ever encounter,” said Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI’s headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, in a statement. “This is a chance for the public to unravel layers of personal meaning from texts not usually available to non-scholars.”

JLI said that in Curious Tales of the Talmud, participants will encounter legends of gargantuan sea monsters, impossible feats, anthropomorphisms, and riddles that challenge the foundations of the Jewish faith. In deciphering the meaning behind these strange episodes, students will discover secrets containing profound insights into the meaning of life.

“Whether you are fascinated by the Talmud and Jewish mysticism, or whether you are seeking a fun and meaningful experience, you won’t want to miss this course,” said Groner. “The material is as relevant as ever, promising to deepen the way we understand ourselves, our universe, and our relationships with the people we love.”

JLI said the course is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Interested students can call 403-238-4880, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.myJLI.com for registration and other course-related information.