Religion vs Secularism
About this course
How did an innocent Chanukah lighting cause a national legal uproar? How can a western government protect religious practices without favouring them? How does Judaism view society’s institutions of power?
Join Eli on this crash-course as we trace the thread through history one of the most complex political questions ever asked.
Rabbi Eli Birnbaum studied in Talmudic College in Israel for six years before attaining rabbinic ordination from the Jerusalem Kollel. Eli completed a BSc in Criminology & Social Psychology. Together with his wife Naomi, Eli moved back to London to take up a position in the JLE’s campus department, setting up Lunch & Learns across London’s major campuses, as well as creating the ‘Genesis+’ program, aimed at older students and post-graduates.
Following this, Eli taught Jewish Studies at Hasmonean for a year, before moving to Aish to work as an educator, primarily focused on the burgeoning Young Professional demographic. Eli is a lifelong Spurs fan and an avid reader, citing his favourite book as ‘Legends of Our Time’ by Elie Weisel.
Course Outline
How did a public Chanukah lighting spark a constitutional crisis in the USA? Eli takes you through the case that reached the Supreme Court and discusses the implications it had on the law.
Eli takes a look at examples in Jewish history where the spiritual and political leadership collide.
Delve into the life of King Josiah and his attempt to enforce spiritual change on his subjects. Eli demonstrates how imposing spirituality on an entire kingdom may have its consequences.
What is the Jewish view on the separation of powers? Eli demonstrates that throughout Jewish history there has been a conflict between the roles of the religious and political spheres of life.
