PaRDeS – four dimensions of understanding the Torah -Genesis

Vision

The book is encouraging study of Jewish faith, Judaic science and Jewish culture. The book is written in Croatian and discus the weekly parashot by the order of the PaRDeS. It includes translation of Midrash and Zohar texts for the first time. It is an important contribution to all Jews in the former Yugoslavia who speak the Serbo-Croatian language. It will also serve the academic Community, scholars and students studying Jewish studies at the university of Zagreb or other academic institutions in the former Yugoslavia.

Activity

The core of Bet Israel Jewish Community are the members who are excellently connect the foundations of Judaism with contemporary trends in the Jewish world.
Many members of Bet Israel are well-known intellectuals and highly educated experts whose knowledge is valued in Jewish and non-Jewish circles in Croatia and abroad. In 2012, the Chair of Judaic Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in the university of Zagreb was founded at the instigation and involvement of individual members of the Bet Israel community.
The community founded the “Hugo Kon” Jewish elementary school, and preschool. In the beautiful synagogue, services are held regularly.
Within the Community, the cultural club “Alfred Pal” operates very successfully, as part of which many well-known lecturers, musicians, and writers perform. In the “Stella Skopal” gallery exhibition space, we present eminent artists — be it paintings, photographs or applied art. The community also has a library and a rich and systematic publishing activity. The “Mišo Montiljo” choir also operates within the Community. The activity of the Bet Israel community is recognized for its values on the theological, scientific and wider social level, and the members of the Community maintain very good relations with other religious communities. The community also has its own newsletter, Ruah Hadaša, with informative and educational content, which is regularly distributed in Croatia and the region. All this contributes to the very dynamic life of the Community.

bet-israel.com

The Four Who Entered the Pardes

- Babylonian Talmud, Chagiga 14b.

Rabbi Prof. Kotel Dadon

Bio of projector:

Rabbi Prof. Kotel Dadon is the Chief Rabbi of the Bet Israel Jewish Community of Croatia, member of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER). University professor, Chair of Judaic Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb. Full member of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina (IANUBIH). Member of few Jewish international organizations among them member of the Executive Board of the World Zionist Organization (WZO). Member of the Board of the World Organization of Orthodox Communities and Synagogues, President of the School Board of the Hugo Kon Jewish School in Zagreb, Croatia and member of the European Jewish Parliament (EJP)

He studied at Yeshiva HaKotel in Jerusalem (1987–1991), the Beit Midrash Sephardi in Jerusalem (1991–1996), where he completed his rabbinical and pedagogical studies. As well studied at the Faculty of Law, Bar Ilan University (1991–1995). Since 1995, is a member of the Israel Bar Association.
He completed his Ph.D. in Jewish studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Budapest University of Jewish Studies, and wrote his dissertation (cum laude) in the field of Jewish philosophy on Maimonides.
Rabbi Prof. Dadon is the author and editor of about ten books, and dozens of scientific and professional articles.