Shai Cherry

Shai Cherry is a Conservative rabbi with a doctorate in Jewish Thought. He is an authority on Judaism & Darwinism, Torah interpretations, and the philosophy of halakhah.

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About

Rabbi Shai Cherry, PhD, has an uncanny ability to translate traditional Judaism for those who have not had the luxury and blessing of dedicating their lives to Jewish learning. Known for his passion and humor, Cherry brings his expertise on the development of Jewish theology, biblical interpretation, and law to contemporary issues confronting the Jewish people.

Programs

Judaism & Darwinism

What are Judaism’s historical attitudes toward science? Has it changed since Darwin? We know Southern Baptists reject Darwinism—why? (Over 40% of Americans reject Darwinian evolution!) Is Darwinism kosher, and what are the challenges and implications for Judaism of living in a Darwinian world? The amazing conclusion is that Jewish history has prepared Jews for Darwinism in an uncanny way.

Women Rabbis, Homosexuality & Philosophies of Jewish Law

Both Conservative and Orthodox Judaisms claim to be halakhic, that is, to adhere to Jewish law. How, then, did the Conservative movement, 30 years ago, ordain women as rabbis? Only now, some Orthodox women are eligible for ordination—though with significant controversy. What are the mechanisms involved by the two different denominations? Additionally, how has Conservative Judaism managed to endorse homosexuality as a legitimate sexual orientation while Orthodoxy has yet to? The answers involve different philosophies of Jewish law.

Kosher 2.0: Why “Kosher” Really Isn’t

Judaism was created as a community dedicated to transforming society into God’s sanctuary by legislating business practices, environmental issues, health and safety concerns, animal welfare, waste disposal, and food consumption. Contemporary kashering agencies certify products exclusively on ingredients and how an animal was slaughtered. Designating an animal “kosher” based solely on the moment of an animal’s death, while ignoring the animal’s life and the employees dealing with those animals, is nothing short of a desecration of God’s name.

Lilith & the Primordial Hermaphrodite: Artifacts of Biblical Redaction & Rabbinic Assumptions

Feminists have embraced Lilith. The delicious irony is that misogynists created her! This multi-media lecture shows how the two contradictory creation stories invited resolutions, including Lilith and the primordial hermaphrodite, which the authors of our creation stories may have never intended. What else in our Torah may have produced unintended consequences as a result of Rabbinic assumptions about the Torah?

Mysticism & Mitzvot: Then and Now

Mysticism draws the curtain on the divine realm and invites us in. The Torah’s covenant involves the Israelites committing to worship God exclusively and, in turn, God providing us with peace and security in the Land of Israel. But is our worship, performing mitzvot, an expression of our love and loyalty, or does it actually empower God to fulfill the divine promise? Mysticism claims that without the covenant, God is weakened. How can we understand such a claim today?

Genres

Jewish Law / Halacha

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Books

Torah through Time

Understanding Bible Comment...

2007

The Jewish Publication Society

Introduction to Judaism (Part 1 & Part 2, 2 DVD Boxed Sets)

2004

The Great Courses

Coherent Judaism

Constructive Theology, Crea...

2020

Academic Studies Press

Interested in booking Shai Cherry to speak at your next event? Contact Jewish Speakers Bureau (infREMOVEo@jewREMOVEishspeakerREMOVEsbureau.com), America's only speakers bureau for Jewish-interest speakers, authors, entertainers, and experts.