This past Tuesday, Rambam’s Meet the Author Book Club went to the Westbury Music Hall to hear the one and only Dr. Jordan B. Peterson! The famed Canadian Psychologist, YouTube megastar, and public intellectual is currently on tour for his new book “We Who Wrestle with God.” The book explores passages and themes from Tanach, and their underlying relevance to human life and society.
Upon arriving, the Rambam Men became amongst the first to receive this book, a day before it was released! The speech opened to a beautiful musical performance by David Cotter. Sadr. Peterson explained his belief that sacrifice is at the foundation of the universe, and how everything in life boils down to how much you’re willing to sacrifice, and what you are willing to sacrifice for.
The value at the top of that hierarchy, that you’d be willing to sacrifice all other values for, he calls the Divine. He explores the opening pesukim of Bereishit (the foundations of existence), as well as the creation of man (the core of human nature) and the story of Kayin and Hevel (the core of society), all in the context of what and how people sacrifice to achieve their goals.
He also explored the concept of Yaakov’s ladder, and the never ending potential of man to work towards the Divine. The speech ended with a Q&A, conducted by Dr. Peterson’s son, and then the Rambam Men journeyed home. A big thanks to Daniel Stein (senior) and Mr. Goldman for making this night possible.