The Alan Papernick Educational Institute Endowment Fund presents
A 6-Part Series taught by Foundation Scholar Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff
Earn up to 12 CLE credits! Each session is a stand-alone unit, you can take one class or all 6.
All sessions are held on Zoom, Thursdays, 8:30-10:45 AM.
Cost with credit: $195 series/$35 each individual class
Cost without credit: $165 series/$30 each individual class
September 22, 2022:
Why Repentance Belongs in the Legal System
Can an understanding of repentance in Jewish law shed light on the punishments meted out in American law? According to one view, the answer is a definite “yes.” In this CLE, Rabbi Schiff will Discuss repentance (teshuvah) in Jewish law and its broader implications for a secular society.
November 10, 2022:
Telling the Truth in Jewish Law
Does Jewish law really expect us to tell the whole truth under all circumstances? Are the standards the same when under oath and when not under oath? In this CLE, Rabbi Schiff will explore legal texts about truth-telling from within the Jewish tradition.
January 12, 2023:
What Does “An Eye for an Eye” Really Mean?
Misunderstandings related to the Torah’s “eye for an eye” penalty have probably led to more antisemitic pronouncements than any other legal provision in the Hebrew bible. In this CLE, Rabbi Schiff will elucidate what “an eye for an eye” really conveys within the Jewish legal mindset.
March 9, 2023:
Prohibited Marriage: Still Relevant or Thoroughly Outdated?
All legal systems have parameters that describe the types of marriages that will be deemed legally acceptable and those that are forbidden. In this CLE, Rabbi Schiff will describe the range of prohibited marriages, and why certain marriages are not countenanced within Judaism.
May 4, 2023:
Ransoming Captives: A Vexing Legal Dilemma
How far should we go to ransom a captive? Should we hand over jailed terrorists to redeem a captive? How many terrorists? Does it make a difference if the captive is in mortal danger? In this CLE, Rabbi Schiff will delve into the age-old, ever-fresh problem of ransoming captives in Jewish law.
June 29, 2023:
Plagiarism in the Internet Age
Should plagiarism be considered a form of theft? In the internet era, should electronic plagiarism be regarded as a less serious or a more serious infraction? In this CLE, Rabbi Schiff will survey the plague of plagiarism and what Jewish law has to say about it.
The full inclusion of people of all abilities is a core value of the Pittsburgh Jewish Community. The cost of taking a course is never a barrier to participation. If the price is an issue, please contact Patti Dziekan at pdziekan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5221 so that we can make the cost of the course comfortable for you.