This is a havrutah version of the course of the same name. Students will read the materials provided by Rabbi Patrick one-on-one with him in six sessions. The reading requirement and course assignment work is half of the other Problem of Evil course, and almost all readings are done together in the havrutah. Reach out to Rabbi Patrick for more info if needed. This course is half-credit since it requires far less work than the self-learning version.
About This Course
A large part of the spiritual leader’s job is “meaning making”, and there is no more complicated a task that making meaning during times of tragedy. This is where theodicy, the confrontation of “a good God with an evil world” becomes an important conversation, particularly given the history of the Jewish people.
Here we’ll explore the Problem of Evil, answers given in response to suffering, and build a theological tool kit for working with those in pain. One unique feature of this course is that we will be reviewing theodicy through the sources. In some cases, the individual solutions to the problem of evil will show up in multiple places in the course, but this will stand to show that no thinking on human suffering lives in a vacuum, and that there is always more to add to the question.
Units will include:
- An introduction to theodicy and philosophical questions of evil
- The evolution of the problem of evil in Jewish history and thought
- Harold Kushner’s mainstreaming of Limited Theism
- The Book of Job and the problems it creates
- Holocaust theology as Jewish theodicy
- Building a spiritual toolkit for your own “problem of evil” explorations on your own and with others
While this only has six units, as it requires reading many other texts, it will count as a full credit.
Required Reading (Together):
- Selections of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
- Selections of The Book of Job
- Selections of Finding God
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will have:
- Developed a brief, survey level knowledge of philosophy of religion’s “problem of evil” and a few of the Jewish responses based on Jewish text, Holocaust Theology and issues of Pastoral Care
- Articulated a personal perspective to the problem of evil question
- Assembled a spiritual and practical toolkit for dealing with times of suffering and crisis, focusing on what “works” for different situations one encounters in the rabbinic vocation
Note: your educator will need to fill out this form below for you. Please provide it to them if they do not already have it.
Typical Meeting Times, Availability & Course Price
Typical Meeting Times & Availability
Monday-Thursday 8AM-Noon Eastern with some limited flexibility for other times before 5PM Eastern
Course Price (USD)
$900 for six sessions
Payment Methods Accepted
Students will be billed through the PRS Paypal invoicing system. 100% of fees go to support Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, not Rabbi Patrick.
Getting Started
Reach out to the educator via email at: pbeaulier@jewishpluralism.org
