LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
One God, Two Names: Discovering a Hidden Saga in the Stories of Genesis and Exodus
A SEMINAR-STYLE JOURNEY LED BY RABBI DAVID FOHRMAN
$1800
Tuesdays: Jan 28 - March 11
8:00 - 9:15PM ET
Zoom
Suitable for all levels
This seminar is an exclusive offering to Aleph Beta Patrons. Learn more about becoming a Patron and all that's included. Unable to join Patrons Circle? Scholarship opportunities for this course are available. Email: patrons@alephbeta.org.
Join Rabbi Fohrman for an unprecedented exploration into one of the Torah's most profound mysteries: The interplay between the divine names Elohim and Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh.
Judaism’s most fundamental tenet is monotheism – the notion that there is but one God in this universe of ours. And yet, the Torah refers to God, seemingly haphazardly, using more than one name. Who is this deity, Elokim or YHVH? Why be so confusing about it?
Biblical critics say this is evidence that the Torah is a composite work, written by authors with competing agendas. But Rabbi Fohrman has a hunch that something else is afoot. The Torah is a unified document, and it deploys the names of God strategically and deliberately – as a storytelling technique. It intentionally uses the tension between these two names to create a beautiful, and achingly meaningful, hidden story. More than anything else, it is a story about God seeking to be understood by His children, humanity. For all God’s seemingly unlimited power, this is, as it turns out, no small task.
Where is this story to be found? It dances just under the surface of the text, in many of the episodes we know all too well. In this course, Rabbi Fohrman will try and trace its outline as this story wends its way through three pivotal episodes: the Flood, the destruction of Sodom, and the Exodus from Egypt.
You'll have the unique opportunity to participate in the process of uncovering some astounding layers of meaning in our most sacred texts.
Some methods you’ll learn
Lullaby Effects
Take it apart
Outliers
Intertextuality
Chiasms
About Rabbi Fohrman
Rabbi David Fohrman is the founder and lead scholar at Aleph Beta. Over the last two decades, he’s pioneered a way of reading Biblical text that feels both rigorous and revelatory. Through Aleph Beta, he’s given expression to that, developing what is now a vast library of content, spanning all types of media: animated videos, podcasts and books. He’s also embarked on an effort to train a team of Torah scholars adept at the close-reading methodology he’s pioneered – and their work can be found at Aleph Beta, too.
Prior to his founding of Aleph Beta, Rabbi Fohrman served as a senior editor and writer for the ArtScroll Talmud Project. He also taught Biblical themes as adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins University, where he had earlier received a Master’s degree in Western intellectual history. Rabbi Fohrman received his rabbinical and Talmudic training at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College, but some of his earliest and most profound exposure to Biblical text analysis came from his encounters with Rabbi Yosef Leibowitz, in his childhood years in Northern California.
In registering for this course, you are joining a group of Patrons across the globe.
Unique perks and opportunities when you sign up for the course
Unlimited Access To Our Library
Gain unlimited access to our library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts on the Torah. From 10 minute videos to deep dive series, enjoy our high quality content that will help you fall in love with the Torah - for the first time, or all over again.
Shiny New Things Webinars
As a Patron, you get to join Rabbi Fohrman live as he develops his latest Torah research that he's in the process of refining. You're not just learning a "shiny new thing", you're participating in its creation!
In-Person Gatherings & Events
Ever wanted to shmooze with Rabbi Fohrman in the flesh? Meet up for dinner in Israel or for drinks in New York! Want to outsmart Rabbi Fohrman in a trivia games night? Or learn with him live, in person? We will keep you informed of these opportunities as they pop up during the year.
Biblical Hebrew Course
Unlock the secrets of the Torah in its original language with our semester-long beginner and intermediate Biblical Hebrew courses.
Concierge Service
A dedicated customer-service agent will field your calls and help you with any Aleph Beta-related issue. Also, have your burning Torah questions answered by our Scholars OR Rabbi Fohrman himself!
Interactive Live Courses
Dive deep into topics that intrigue, enlighten, and challenge your perception of life, Torah, and everything in between. From Aleph Beta methodology to explorations of parenting, recovering from trauma, or even the meaning of life, you'll have a front-row, participatory seat to some of the most profound learning experiences you can imagine.
FREE Patron Hoodie
Limited-time offer: Become a Patron and get an exclusive complimentary Patrons Circle hoodie!