This Jewish Life · Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

501

Introduction to Self

Sep 12, 2016

53:56

Who are you? That unusual question is an example of what we ought to be asking ourselves if we seek character perfection and ethical refinement, says Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal) in his short book “derech eitz chaim”. The truth is that it is a bit more difficult to answer than we would imagine. But […]

502

Introduction to Self

Sep 12, 2016

53:56

Who are you? That unusual question is an example of what we ought to be asking ourselves if we seek character perfection and ethical refinement, says Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal) in his short book “derech eitz chaim”. The truth is that it is a bit more difficult to answer than we would imagine. But […]

503

Three Paths to Eternity: How Mitzvahs Bring us to Olam Haba

Sep 8, 2016

32:06

Jewish sources are unanimous: by observing the mitzvahs a Jew merit entry to Olam Haba. Less clear is how exactly that works. In this podcast we explore the three different approaches outlined in various sources in Jewish writings. ——– Website: RabbiWolbe.com Twitter: @RabbiWolbe Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Email: [email protected]

504

Three Paths to Eternity: How Mitzvahs Bring us to Olam Haba

Sep 8, 2016

32:06

Jewish sources are unanimous: by observing the mitzvahs a Jew merit entry to Olam Haba. Less clear is how exactly that works. In this podcast we explore the three different approaches outlined in various sources in Jewish writings. ——– Website: RabbiWolbe.com Twitter: @RabbiWolbe Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Email: [email protected]

505

Yoke of Torah: The Benefits of Total Commitment

Sep 6, 2016

1:13:57

The Mishna (Chapters of the Fathers 3:5) declares: רבי נחוניה בן הקנה אומר, כל המקבל עליו עול תורה, מעבירין ממנו עול מלכות ועול דרך ארץ; וכל הפורק ממנו עול תורה, נותנין עליו עול מלכות ועול דרך ארץ. “Rabbi Nechunya ben Hakana says: whoever accepts upon themselves the yoke of Torah, the yoke of the kingdom and […]

506

Yoke of Torah: The Benefits of Total Commitment

Sep 6, 2016

1:13:57

The Mishna (Chapters of the Fathers 3:5) declares: רבי נחוניה בן הקנה אומר, כל המקבל עליו עול תורה, מעבירין ממנו עול מלכות ועול דרך ארץ; וכל הפורק ממנו עול תורה, נותנין עליו עול מלכות ועול דרך ארץ. “Rabbi Nechunya ben Hakana says: whoever accepts upon themselves the yoke of Torah, the yoke of the kingdom and […]

507

The Multidimensionality of Torah

Aug 31, 2016

1:15:35

The Talmud and related rabbinic writings are replete with disagreements that impact the practical application of Torah, known as Halacha. What are the safety ordinances to prevent the perversion of Halachic practice? Is it possible that over the course of history something went awry and there is some element of Halacha that was forgotten or corrupted along the way […]

508

The Multidimensionality of Torah

Aug 31, 2016

1:15:35

The Talmud and related rabbinic writings are replete with disagreements that impact the practical application of Torah, known as Halacha. What are the safety ordinances to prevent the perversion of Halachic practice? Is it possible that over the course of history something went awry and there is some element of Halacha that was forgotten or corrupted along the way […]

509

What is Olam Haba: Exploring the Enigmatic Sources

Aug 31, 2016

56:49

A universally accepted principle of Judaism is that the Almighty gives reward for observance of Torah and mitzvos and punishment for their nonobservance. What exactly that reward and punishment consist of is a great unknown to most. In this first of three podcasts on the subject we investigate some puzzling sources regarding Olam Haba – […]

510

What is Olam Haba: Exploring the Enigmatic Sources

Aug 31, 2016

56:49

A universally accepted principle of Judaism is that the Almighty gives reward for observance of Torah and mitzvos and punishment for their nonobservance. What exactly that reward and punishment consist of is a great unknown to most. In this first of three podcasts on the subject we investigate some puzzling sources regarding Olam Haba – […]

511

The Codification of the Oral Torah: The History, Methodology and Philosophy of Canonizing the Mishna, Talmud and Halacha

Aug 29, 2016

1:08:28

Previously (see HERE) we have elaborated on the 1500 years of uninterrupted conveyance of the Oral Torah in its entirety from one generation to the next. Towards the end of the second century of the common era a fateful decision was made to commit the Jewish Law, known as Mishna, to writing. This began a […]

512

The Codification of the Oral Torah: The History, Methodology and Philosophy of Canonizing the Mishna, Talmud and Halacha

Aug 29, 2016

1:08:28

Previously (see HERE) we have elaborated on the 1500 years of uninterrupted conveyance of the Oral Torah in its entirety from one generation to the next. Towards the end of the second century of the common era a fateful decision was made to commit the Jewish Law, known as Mishna, to writing. This began a […]

513

Rabbi Akiva’s Great Principle

Aug 29, 2016

52:05

The great sage of the Mishnaic era, Rabbi Akiva, taught that the mitzvah of loving your fellow as yourself is a great principle of Torah. Can this mitzvah be understood that we are obligated to love everyone with the same degree of love that we have for ourselves or perhaps does loving your fellow as yourself […]

514

Rabbi Akiva’s Great Principle

Aug 29, 2016

52:05

The great sage of the Mishnaic era, Rabbi Akiva, taught that the mitzvah of loving your fellow as yourself is a great principle of Torah. Can this mitzvah be understood that we are obligated to love everyone with the same degree of love that we have for ourselves or perhaps does loving your fellow as yourself […]

515

Business Competition and Disclosures in Halacha

Aug 29, 2016

1:19:55

In this podcast we explore several contemporary halachic dilemmas relation to business competition and disclosures. What are the parameters of opening a business establishment in an area or industry that will cripple or eliminate competitors? How much of the defects in a product or service must a seller disclose? Can someone deceive potential employers by dyeing their […]

516

Business Competition and Disclosures in Halacha

Aug 29, 2016

1:19:55

In this podcast we explore several contemporary halachic dilemmas relation to business competition and disclosures. What are the parameters of opening a business establishment in an area or industry that will cripple or eliminate competitors? How much of the defects in a product or service must a seller disclose? Can someone deceive potential employers by dyeing their […]

517

The Hundred Years’ War: Winning our Lifelong Battle with our Yetzer Ra

Aug 22, 2016

1:27:38

Man’s lifelong struggle with their Yetzer Ra is the premier challenge that a person faces in their life. What are the best strategies and tactics to assure victory? In this podcast we examine several telling Talmudic passages that create a roadmap to success in our ultimate test.

518

The Hundred Years’ War: Winning our Lifelong Battle with our Yetzer Ra

Aug 22, 2016

1:27:38

Man’s lifelong struggle with their Yetzer Ra is the premier challenge that a person faces in their life. What are the best strategies and tactics to assure victory? In this podcast we examine several telling Talmudic passages that create a roadmap to success in our ultimate test.

519

A Soul, A Yetzer Ra and Their Lifelong Conflict

Aug 7, 2016

1:14:22

“Against your will you are formed; against your will you are born; against your will you live; against your will you die; and against your will you are destined to give an accounting and a reckoning before the King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He” (Pirkei Avot 4:22). This Mishnah outlines the five […]

520

A Soul, A Yetzer Ra and Their Lifelong Conflict

Aug 7, 2016

1:14:22

“Against your will you are formed; against your will you are born; against your will you live; against your will you die; and against your will you are destined to give an accounting and a reckoning before the King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He” (Pirkei Avot 4:22). This Mishnah outlines the five […]

521

The Temple in Jerusalem and its Sacrifices in Jewish Life, Thought and Destiny

Jul 25, 2016

1:19:49

The Second Temple was destroyed 1,946 years ago by Titius and the Romans. Yet the Temple never left our collective consciousness. We invoke it in our prayers, mourn its destruction and hope and yearn for its return. Why do we need a Temple and what is the meaning behind sacrifices?

522

The Temple in Jerusalem and its Sacrifices in Jewish Life, Thought and Destiny

Jul 25, 2016

1:19:49

The Second Temple was destroyed 1,946 years ago by Titius and the Romans. Yet the Temple never left our collective consciousness. We invoke it in our prayers, mourn its destruction and hope and yearn for its return. Why do we need a Temple and what is the meaning behind sacrifices?

523

The Transmission of the Oral Torah without Mistakes

Jul 20, 2016

1:03:33

A fundamental principle of our religion is that the Torah that we have today is the same as the Torah given by God to Moses. Is this a dogmatic belief a leap of faith? How can we be assured that there was no corruption of the Oral Torah over the 1500 years that it was […]

524

The Transmission of the Oral Torah without Mistakes

Jul 20, 2016

1:03:33

A fundamental principle of our religion is that the Torah that we have today is the same as the Torah given by God to Moses. Is this a dogmatic belief a leap of faith? How can we be assured that there was no corruption of the Oral Torah over the 1500 years that it was […]

525

Nine Reasons why the Oral Torah was not Codified for 1500 Years

Jul 19, 2016

55:16

3300 years ago, over a period of 40 years, Moses gave the Jewish nation the Torah that he received from God. It consisted of a Written Torah and an Oral Torah together. For 1500 years the Oral Torah was maintained as such; faithfully and accurately transmitted exclusively orally from generation to generation. Beginning with the publication […]

526

Nine Reasons why the Oral Torah was not Codified for 1500 Years

Jul 19, 2016

55:16

3300 years ago, over a period of 40 years, Moses gave the Jewish nation the Torah that he received from God. It consisted of a Written Torah and an Oral Torah together. For 1500 years the Oral Torah was maintained as such; faithfully and accurately transmitted exclusively orally from generation to generation. Beginning with the publication […]

527

A Biographical Sketch and A Character Analysis of Jacob and his Wives

Jul 10, 2016

1:42:08

Jacob is termed in Jewish literature as the “choicest of the forefathers”. What were his defining character traits? What were the dominant episodes and themes of his life? What does his journey teach us about Jewish history? We answer these questions and ponder the qualities of his illustrious wives and their collective eternal legacies in this […]

528

A Biographical Sketch and A Character Analysis of Jacob and his Wives

Jul 10, 2016

1:42:08

Jacob is termed in Jewish literature as the “choicest of the forefathers”. What were his defining character traits? What were the dominant episodes and themes of his life? What does his journey teach us about Jewish history? We answer these questions and ponder the qualities of his illustrious wives and their collective eternal legacies in this […]

529

Oral Torah: An Introduction

Jul 10, 2016

55:00

In this first of a series on Oral Torah we begin with asking the very basic questions: What is the Oral Torah comprised of? How does the Oral Torah relate to the Written Torah? How can we be certain of its veracity? Core Beliefs of Judaism with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe – Torah Part 19

530

Oral Torah: An Introduction

Jul 10, 2016

55:00

In this first of a series on Oral Torah we begin with asking the very basic questions: What is the Oral Torah comprised of? How does the Oral Torah relate to the Written Torah? How can we be certain of its veracity? Core Beliefs of Judaism with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe – Torah Part 19

531

A Biographical Sketch and A Character Analysis of Isaac and Rebecca

Jul 4, 2016

1:25:50

The Torah is scant on details regarding the lives of Isaac and Rebecca. Their story does not include a great many anecdotes of their challenges nor does it highlight their accomplishments and greatness. To the contrary, the Torah seems to harshly criticise Isaac as in when it is said that he preferred Esau because he made […]

532

A Biographical Sketch and A Character Analysis of Isaac and Rebecca

Jul 4, 2016

1:25:50

The Torah is scant on details regarding the lives of Isaac and Rebecca. Their story does not include a great many anecdotes of their challenges nor does it highlight their accomplishments and greatness. To the contrary, the Torah seems to harshly criticise Isaac as in when it is said that he preferred Esau because he made […]

533

Proofs of Divinity of Torah Part 7

Jun 29, 2016

51:30

In this 7th and final episode of our examination of the evidence to try and determine if the Torah is indeed the unadulterated word of God, we explore the interrelationship of the Written and Oral Torah and ask if such cohesion and precision can be the product of a human. PART 1: http://rabbiwolbe.com/the-torah-as-a-divine-document-an-analysis-of-higher-bible-criticism-and-why-the-authorship-of-the-torah-matters/ PART 2: http://rabbiwolbe.com/a-traditional-jewish-response-to-higher-bible-criticism-part-2/ PART 3: http://rabbiwolbe.com/the-millions-of-eyewitness-testimonies-to-the-veracity-accuracy-and-historicity-of-the-torah/ […]

534

Proofs of Divinity of Torah Part 7

Jun 29, 2016

51:30

In this 7th and final episode of our examination of the evidence to try and determine if the Torah is indeed the unadulterated word of God, we explore the interrelationship of the Written and Oral Torah and ask if such cohesion and precision can be the product of a human. PART 1: http://rabbiwolbe.com/the-torah-as-a-divine-document-an-analysis-of-higher-bible-criticism-and-why-the-authorship-of-the-torah-matters/ PART 2: http://rabbiwolbe.com/a-traditional-jewish-response-to-higher-bible-criticism-part-2/ PART 3: http://rabbiwolbe.com/the-millions-of-eyewitness-testimonies-to-the-veracity-accuracy-and-historicity-of-the-torah/ […]

535

Inspiration to Perspiration: Simple Instructions to Change the World

Jun 28, 2016

1:11:52

Every person who has ever changed the world, from the great Sage Rabbi Akiva to Travis Kalanick the founder of UBER, has been guided by two core life skills. These two learnable qualities are the underpinnings of every transformational change and improvement that humanity achieved. They are what separates the people who are inspired to […]

536

Inspiration to Perspiration: Simple Instructions to Change the World

Jun 28, 2016

1:11:52

Every person who has ever changed the world, from the great Sage Rabbi Akiva to Travis Kalanick the founder of UBER, has been guided by two core life skills. These two learnable qualities are the underpinnings of every transformational change and improvement that humanity achieved. They are what separates the people who are inspired to […]

537

A Biographical Sketch and A Character Analysis of Abraham and Sarah

Jun 27, 2016

1:31:02

Abraham and Sarah are the biological, theological and ideological forebears of our nation. The story of their lives and accomplishments is the story of the Jewish people and, more broadly, the story of human progress and morality throughout history. What propelled them to greatness? What methods did they employ to disseminate their message? What is […]

538

A Biographical Sketch and A Character Analysis of Abraham and Sarah

Jun 27, 2016

1:31:02

Abraham and Sarah are the biological, theological and ideological forebears of our nation. The story of their lives and accomplishments is the story of the Jewish people and, more broadly, the story of human progress and morality throughout history. What propelled them to greatness? What methods did they employ to disseminate their message? What is […]

539

Is Believing in the Supernatural Irrational? How to Build a Rational Life Philosophy

Jun 24, 2016

54:53

This part 6 of the Proofs of Torah series, and Part 17 of the Torah Series overall. In this podcast we analyze and investigate select Torah verses and ponder the feasibility of human authorship. Core Beliefs of Judaism with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe – Torah Part 17

540

Is Believing in the Supernatural Irrational? How to Build a Rational Life Philosophy

Jun 24, 2016

54:53

This part 6 of the Proofs of Torah series, and Part 17 of the Torah Series overall. In this podcast we analyze and investigate select Torah verses and ponder the feasibility of human authorship. Core Beliefs of Judaism with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe – Torah Part 17

541

Three Avenues to Eternity

Jun 19, 2016

1:35:00

Performance of Mitzvahs earns a person a portion in Olam Haba. How does that work? In this podcast we examine various Jewish sources that establish the three distinct ways someone can achieve Olam Haba via mitzvahs.

542

Three Avenues to Eternity

Jun 19, 2016

1:35:00

Performance of Mitzvahs earns a person a portion in Olam Haba. How does that work? In this podcast we examine various Jewish sources that establish the three distinct ways someone can achieve Olam Haba via mitzvahs.

543

Overwhelming Evidence to the Divinity of the Torah and its Ramifications

Jun 15, 2016

56:10

The reality of the Torah being divine and immutable can be agitating and frankly a bit terrifying. As the word of God, every word of the Torah is true and obligatory, and that may trigger cognitive dissonance if we do not behave in a way that reflects that reality. It is vital to recognize that only two […]

544

Overwhelming Evidence to the Divinity of the Torah and its Ramifications

Jun 15, 2016

56:10

The reality of the Torah being divine and immutable can be agitating and frankly a bit terrifying. As the word of God, every word of the Torah is true and obligatory, and that may trigger cognitive dissonance if we do not behave in a way that reflects that reality. It is vital to recognize that only two […]

545

Why Shavuos is The Holiday of the Giving of the Torah

Jun 8, 2016

1:14:47

Shavous is the date when the Jews stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and heard the Ten Commandments. Ten mitzvahs out of the 613 that they would ultimately receive is only 3% of the total. Why would this day be enshrined as the day of receiving the Torah when they actually received only a small fraction […]

546

Why Shavuos is The Holiday of the Giving of the Torah

Jun 8, 2016

1:14:47

Shavous is the date when the Jews stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and heard the Ten Commandments. Ten mitzvahs out of the 613 that they would ultimately receive is only 3% of the total. Why would this day be enshrined as the day of receiving the Torah when they actually received only a small fraction […]

547

Spiritual Shortcuts to Greatness: How to Change the World in One Hour

Jun 7, 2016

1:04:27

The Talmud records three episodes where individuals acquired Olam Haba in one instant. In these stories we learn a formula for accomplishing the work of a lifetime in one day. Let us be prepared to seize the once in a lifetime opportunities to dramatically transform our world with one act of selfless dedication and commitment! […]

548

Spiritual Shortcuts to Greatness: How to Change the World in One Hour

Jun 7, 2016

1:04:27

The Talmud records three episodes where individuals acquired Olam Haba in one instant. In these stories we learn a formula for accomplishing the work of a lifetime in one day. Let us be prepared to seize the once in a lifetime opportunities to dramatically transform our world with one act of selfless dedication and commitment! […]

549

Innovating the Torah Nation: Why Some Changes to Jewish Life and Practice Succeed while Others Fail

Jun 5, 2016

1:46:50

Torah, in its Oral and Written formats, has and always will be the national pastime of the Jewish nation. Traditionally, it has been the yearnings of young Jews and chief determinant of greatness of Jewish Leaders. Over the course of Jewish history there have been several movements that challenged that belief and attempted to alter the […]

550

Innovating the Torah Nation: Why Some Changes to Jewish Life and Practice Succeed while Others Fail

Jun 5, 2016

1:46:50

Torah, in its Oral and Written formats, has and always will be the national pastime of the Jewish nation. Traditionally, it has been the yearnings of young Jews and chief determinant of greatness of Jewish Leaders. Over the course of Jewish history there have been several movements that challenged that belief and attempted to alter the […]

This Jewish Life · Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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