Major topics include the history of the Ramchal, the Ramchal’s systematic overview of how to learn Jewish theology – the objectives, the words, according to the Ramchal, the purpose of creation, self-improvement as the means to come close to G-d, the body and the soul, man before and after the first sin, the material and the spiritual, ways to serve G-d, shedim, the neshama, sleep, the influence of the spiritual world on this world and the influence of the world on the spiritual world, the sefirot, G-d’s providence, the world-to-come, punishment for misdeeds in the world-to-come and different spiritual levels in the world-to-come, special providence over man, trials, the reason(s) for suffering, success of the wicked, reincarnations and the unique role of each individual, the status of non-Jews in this world and in the next, the generations after the first sin, exile, how G-d orchestrates what happens, the heavenly courts, Rosh Hashana, the influence of the stars, astrologers, G-d’s judgement and His mercy, four stages of humanity, different types of mitzvos, emunah and bitachon, instilling bitachon, hishtadlus, lishma and lo lishma, internal and external motivation, menuchas hanefesh, structure of Mesillas Yesharim, daas Torah, and revealing G-d in this world. Methods of instruction include lecture, discussion and textual preparations. Topics may vary. Prerequisite: Ability to read and comprehend Hebrew language, familiarity with courses in Biblical texts and exegesis, two courses in Jewish Philosophy, or permission from the instructor.