According to Jewish theology, "walking in God's ways" is the highest level a human being can reach. For the Talmudic sages, becoming like God consists of compassion, empathy and presence with people in moments of suffering and vulnerability. In this lecture, Rabbi Shai Held will construct a Jewish theology and spirituality of Hesed, loving-kindness and explore their implications for religious life and the building of nurturing, dignity-affirming communities.

He will also explore creation and covenant as the two paths to loving-kindness in Jewish thought.