On The DL

"Jewish Mystical Perspectives on the Origins, Beliefs and History of Christianity"


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Published: Aug 31, 2006

Wed., Sept. 6, and Wed., Sept. 13, 8 p.m., $12-$15 per lecture, Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the General Wayne Inn, 625 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station, 610-660-9192, www.chabadmainline.org

Was Jesus a flesh-and-blood man? Was he reincarnated from a key Talmudic figure? Was Jesus a woman?

Definitive answers to these questions float in the Judeo-Christian ether, but discussing them might bring about a better understanding of Western religion.

Since July, Rabbi Asher Crispe has run courses that address topics from a Jewish mystical perspective. For his latest class, Crispe will explore Kabbalistic takes on Christ, the Sabbath and reincarnation. His interdisciplinary approach is a reaction to the modern convergence of theology and academia. "The distinction between religious thought and secular arts is being eroded," says Crispe.

For the rabbi, whittling down information for the class was a true challenge. "This could easily be a yearlong course," he says. "We'll have a smorgasbord of ideas."