Torah Classes
At Chabad of Dunwoody, the regular study of Torah is a priority. We offer a weekly Parsha class, JLI (Jewish Learning Institute) courses, and regular men's study nights and women's Torah and Teas.
Besides our regular classes, you can also schedule a study session with Rabbi Wineberg by sending an email to [email protected].
The Talmud relates a conversation that took place between Rabbi Akiva (a prominent sage) and an assimilated Jew named Popus. At the time, the land of Israel was under the control of the Roman Empire who issued harsh decrees against studying Torah. Rabbi Akiva paid no attention to this and continued to teach Torah in public, thereby putting himself at great personal risk.
"Are you not afraid of the government and their laws?", asked Popus incredulously one day. Rabbi Akiva responded with a parable: "Imagine that there is a fox walking along the banks of a river. The fox sees that the fish in the water are darting back and forth, clearly trying to escape some danger. When the fox asks them what's wrong they explain that they are trying to evade the fisherman's nets that are spread throughout the area. In an innocent voice, the fox suggests that the fish emerge from the water so they can live together in perfect harmony without any fear for fishermen and their nets. "Fool!", thundered back the fish, "if we come out of the water we shall surely die. At least here we stand a chance!"
"The threat to our lives from the Romans is very real", concluded Rabbi Akiva. "But without Torah, there would be no life at all."
Rabbi Akiva's parable is one that is often repeated. It indicates in the strongest of ways that Torah study is essential to our life as a Jew. It is our very life-force, like water is to fish.