Congregation Beth El to Host Lectures by Astrophysicist

Join the Beth El community as Dr. Howard Smith, renowned astrophysicist, teaches us how ancient Kabbalah and modern cosmology intersect and how both of these approaches together can enlighten us.

Sunday morning,  January  9,  9:00 – 10:30 AM

Friday evening, February 3 Services – 6:00 PM, Potluck dinner – 7:00 PM, Lecture – 8:00 – 8:45 PM

Saturday morning, February 4, 9:00 – 10:15 AM

Saturday evening, February 4, 8:00 – 9:00 PM

Sunday Morning:
Modern Cosmology and Kabbalah: A New Conversation Between Science and Religion

Dr. Smith summarizes the Creation of the world 13.7 billion years ago in the Big Bang and introduces the surprising insights of Kabbalah. Book signing to follow.

Friday Evening:
God in the World…or a Perfect Multiverse?

Dr. Smith spotlights one of the most challenging issues for both religion and science: fate, causality, God’s role in the world, and the “Anthropic Principle”.

Shabbat morning:
The Meaning of Shabbat in a Big Bang Universe

It is impossible to talk about the Creation without reference to its spiritual dimension, as exemplified by Shabbat. We will talk about the Creation and study together some creation texts from the Kabbalah and other Jewish mystical sources that broaden the conventional concept of Shabbat to include cosmic principles. Singing included.

Saturday night, Melava Malka:

Alone in the Universe: A Jewish Perspective on the Discovery of Planets around Other Stars, and Our Probable Solitude

Dr. Smith discusses the discovery of planets around other stars and the unlikely possibility of encountering alien intelligence. He explores the religious implications of our probable solitude and how the Talmud and rabbis view this compelling subject. Book signing to follow.

Dr. Howard Smith is a Senior Astrophysicist in the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the Harvard Department of Astronomy. He is the author of Let There Be Light: Modern Cosmology and Kabbalah, a New Conversation Between Science and Religion and he lectures and teaches widely about science and Judaism. He is a traditional Jew and an active member of the Boston Jewish community.

Dr. Smith’s book, Let There Be Light: Modern Cosmology and Kabbalah,   a Conversation Between Science and Religion may be purchased for $16 through the Beth El office the week of January 23^rd. Dr. Smith will sign books Sunday morning, January 29^th