Torah Studies - Adult Education
A Torah Studies course delving into the modern lessons from the ancient themes of the weekly Parsha.
Torah Studies is a series of stimulating text and discussion-based classes that take place on a weekly basis. These classes will engage and challenge you intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. They explore contemporary issues through a Torah perspective as well as tackling timeless questions in the Jewish tradition.
Each class is a standalone unit, so feel free to come along or join virtually when you can!
Instructor: Rabbi Mendy Singer.
Registration is free. The student textbook is available on Amazon here.
The classes are held every Thursday at 7:30 pm, in person at Chabad and virtually (without the chicken soup!). Join us on Zoom at www.jewishbristol.com/zoom or watch live on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/chabadbristol.
Weekly: Thursday, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Thursday, 8 January
Still Here, But Why?
Survival Explained—Or Not
Empires collapse, yet Jews endure. Pascal pointed to us as proof of the Divine. This lesson goes further: survival without Torah is just inertia. What makes us the “Eternal Nation” is our bond with eternal truth, not just the fact that we’re still standing.
Thursday 15 January
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Spiritual Clarity Is Closer Than You Think
In a world full of noise, true peace can feel elusive. But thanks to the teachings of Chasidus, we’re fortunate to live in a time when spiritual, moral, and Divine clarity is closer than ever. G-d’s revelations to Moses in Va’era show us the light that’s available to us today: a light we would do well to embrace.
Thursday 22 January
Time: Humanity’s Last Frontier
Every Hour Is a Holy Hour; Every Second, Sacred
You can sanctify a lulav, a shofar, even flour and water. But can you sanctify Tuesday at 3 p.m.? The first mitzvah given to the Jews was about shaping time itself. It’s a reminder that we don’t just count days—we make them count.
Thursday 29 January
One Song, a Million Voices
A True Leader Can Make Us One
Jews argue over food, politics, and prayer books. Yet, standing on the shores of the Red Sea, we sang one song in perfect unison. True unity isn’t about agreeing on everything; it’s about finding the leader and moment that brings our deepest oneness to the surface.
Thursday 5 February
Good without G-d? Not for Long
Morality without an Anchor Drifts
Atheists can be moral, but when temptation hits, what keeps those morals in place? Judaism teaches that goodness without G-d is like a house without a foundation—it may look fine, but the first storm topples it. Faith doesn’t replace values; it makes them last.
Thursday 12 February
The Whole Half
A Half-Shekel Teaches Total Commitment
We hesitate to go all in—with people, with places, and with commitments—because we’re not sure it’s safe. We’re always ready to move on. But some things call for everything we’ve got. This class looks at one ancient mitzvah that helps us know when to stop hedging and start showing up.
Thursday 19 February
The Argument That Never Ends
Judaism Is a Lot Less Dogmatic Than You Think
If Torah were just a rigid rulebook, how could centuries of debate still rage about mitzvot observed since Sinai? Judaism thrives on the mystery, the questions, and the back-and-forth. Disagreement isn’t dysfunction—it’s discovery, and it’s what keeps the Torah endlessly alive.
Thursday 26 February
Playing by Nature’s Rules Can Get You Killed
Why Fitting In Is the Riskiest Strategy
The Jews in Persia thought they were safe—they had power, prestige, even a queen in the palace. Then came Haman. Purim teaches that our survival isn’t natural at all. Trusting politics and assimilation is choosing wolves; trusting G-d is choosing the Shepherd.
Wednesday 4 March - DATE CHANGE
The Broken Vessel
Why Letting Go Opens the Door to G-d’s Wisdom
We try to hold ourselves together, but the deepest truths come when we’re willing to break. This class explores what we gain when we stop clinging and start surrendering.
Thursday 12 March
Anchors in the Storm
The Strength Found in the Small Details
It’s the little things that keep everything in place. This class explores how the pegs of the Tabernacle in the desert teach us that even the smallest details are essential to the bigger picture. Just like anchors in a storm, these overlooked elements provide much-needed stability.
Thursday 19 March
Guilt and Grace in Our Apologies
The Offerings That Shape Our Repentance
Is it ever too late to make a real change? Jewish tradition teaches that some sins call for the deep work of transforming our character. This class explores the symbolism behind the sin and guilt offerings, showing how repentance can be nurturing or tough as we face our mistakes head-on.
Thursday 28 March
Sweet Mortar on Freedom Bread
The Taste of Liberation Is Sharper with Pain
Nothing says paradox like slathering mortar-symbolizing charoset on matzah-symbolizing freedom. But the contrast is the point. By tasting bitterness with liberation, we learn that joy shines brightest against a dark backdrop—and our inner freedom can’t be crushed by suffering.