By the time most Jewish adults graduate from college, they know far more about the fundamental texts, principles and histories of a host of cultures and civilizations—from the West to the Far East—than they do about the history and genius of Jewish thought, and the deep and practical wisdom to be found in classic Jewish texts: Torah.
Enter Dr. Michael Chighel and “Scroll Down,” a 10-part comprehensive multimedia introduction to Jewish texts, designed to orient viewers on the process of the Torah’s transmission and exposition through the ages. With deep insight and ample humor, Chighel leads a delightful tour among the people, places and events that have shaped the Jewish library.
From the Five Books of Moses to contemporary biblical commentaries; from the Talmud to 21st-century halachic works; from the early Kabbalah to modern Chassidic masters, “Scroll Down” provides viewers with a comprehensive grasp of the scope and structure of the Jewish library.
An experienced educator, Chighel earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Toronto. In Canada, he taught philosophy and Jewish studies at York University, Queen’s University and the University of Waterloo, and produced and hosted two television series on Torah and Jewish subjects, Passages and Messages. From 2008 to 2015, he headed the Jewish Learning Program at the Lauder Business School in Vienna, Austria, where he also taught courses in political economy and ethics.
The first installment of “Scroll Down” debuts this week, on Jewish.tv, the video platform of Chabad.org. Each class includes a 10- to 20-minute video presentation, supplementary readings, and an opportunity for reader questions and feedback.
To enroll in the free 10-week course, visit Chabad.org/ScrollDown.
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