Rambam’s/Maimonides’ Hilchos Tshuvah/laws of atonement close out the book of knowledge, the first volume of Mishnah Torah. In these chapters the Rambam not only presents his views of the centrality and necessity of Tshuvah/repentance, that a life without constant contemplation is a half lived, but also uses the platform to touch upon the great questions of free-will, righteousness, Ahavas hashem (love of God) and Human Nature (or the lack of such a nature) itself.

Studying Hilchos Tshuvah as a form of preparation for the Yamim Nora’I’m is a long-standing tradition. In these meetings we will delve into the text, truly listen to the text and try to approach the great questions that spring out of the Rambam's exquisite writing. What is Teshuvah? How is it done? Is it achievable? Do we get a second, third or fourth chance? At our root, are we good or bad? What does one have to do in order to be a tzadik? Are we autonomous, do we indeed have free will? And how might this free will align itself with an all-knowing God?

Class meets on Tuesday the 29th, 5th, 12th and 19th at 7:45pm at Shul.

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Yoni Kreztmer relocated to Brooklyn together with his partner Avital in 2010. A talented musician and teacher, Yoni attended the American School of Modern Music in Paris, France. He has released 14 albums under his own name, and co-released many more. Yoni and Avital teach Hebrew School classes at the Greenpoint Shul, and live in the neighborhood with their children Malachi, Naima, and Yeshayah.