FOR THIS WE LEFT EGYPT? COMPLAINING AND REBELLION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE

Description

An exploration of the Israelites’ rebellions in the desert and the lessons they teach about leadership and resilience.

Location

ONLINE

Date & Time

THURSDAY, 10:00-11:30am (ET) October 30 - November 20, 2025

The [People] quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness that we and our livestock should die here?  Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” — Number 20:3-5  

Course Description :

The Israelite people are commonly referred to as stiff necked, difficult, and on several occasions made God question whether this people was really worth the trouble of being chosen. Throughout the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness, there are numerous stories of complaint and rebellion. Over six weeks, together we will dive deep into the Biblical books of Exodus and Numbers and explore the stories of our favorite kvetches. Along the Israelites wilderness journey, we will ask questions about leadership, vision, utopia, and hope for the future. Or maybe just empathize with our hot and sticky ancestors wandering in the desert. 

 

THURSDAYS, 10:00-11:30am (ET)

Dates: Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20

 
About the Instructor:
 
 
 Rabbi Jason Cook jokes that he is a wandering Jew, having grown up in western New York, northern California, and Lake Oswego, Oregon (just south of Portland). He attended American University in Washington, D.C, where he studied International Relations. After graduating, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked in the Jewish non-profit world doing teen engagement. In South Florida, Rabbi Cook also met his wife, Phylicia. After five years of rabbinical school (including a year studying in Jerusalem), Rabbi Cook received his rabbinic ordination at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College in May 2021. Rabbi Cook and Phylicia are excited to be coming home to South Florida and to start a new adventure at the University of Miami Hillel with their son Micah. Rabbi Cook always has time to talk Jewish text and history, Torah, science fiction, and his beloved Portland Trail Blazers.

 
 
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