Category Archives: Ethics of the Fathers 2025

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Spiritual Persistence (1:13)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 31:05 — 16.8MB)

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In his second consecutive teaching, Hillel instructs us regarding the proper attitude to spiritual development and persistence, and the grave consequences of spiritual stagnation.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 22, 2018

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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How to be a Peacemaker (1:11-12)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 41:31 — 21.9MB)

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One of the great legendary figures in Jewish history, Hillel, instructs us to follow the ways of Aaron: To love peace and to pursue it, and to love people and bring them near to Torah.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 15, 2018

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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The Two Elements of Leadership (1:10)

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In the tenth Mishna, the leader of the Jews Shemayah, a descendent of the Assyrian king Sanchereb, teaches us about the work, leadership and politicians.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 8, 2018

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Ethical Judicial Conduct (1:8-1:9)

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In the Second Century before the Common Era, the Jewish world was in an upheaval due largely to various splinter sects, such as the Sadducees and Boethusians, causing internal conflict and confusion among the nation. The two great leaders of the Jews at the time had many challenges on their hands. In this podcast we tell some of the stories about R’ Yehudah Ben Tabbai and R’ Shimon Ben Shetach and speculate how their experiences informed their teachings in Pirkei Avos.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 11, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Avoiding Bad Neighbors (1:7)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 38:01 — 20.4MB)

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In the previous mishna we are instructed how to choose positive influences, in this one we are warned of the perils of bad friends and bad neighbors.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 4, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Selecting Mentors (1:6)

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In the 6th mishna of Pirkei Avos, we learn about the importance of having good mentors and friends, and the prerequisites to make such relationships work.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 27, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Excessive Schmoozing with Women (1:5)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 27:18 — 15.1MB)

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In the fifth mishna we learn about the proper ways to interact with others, especially those less fortunate, in a pious and peril-free manner.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 20, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Godly Intellect (1:4)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 38:09 — 21.5MB)

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In the fourth mishna of Pirkei Avos, our sages offer three steps to accessing Torah. In our deconstruction of this teaching we learn about the nature of Torah and the unusual ways that we access it.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 13, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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Fostering Lasting Relationships (1:3)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 58:15 — 30.7MB)

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In following the previous mishna which distilled the life objectives to three tenets, Pirkei Avos proceeds to delve into each one individually. In perhaps the most difficult mishna of the book, Antigonus lays out how to fulfill “Avodah” properly. In this teaching we read a take on altruism and how to create deep, meaningful and lasting relationships.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 6, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Three-Pronged Purpose (1.2)

Podcast (pirkeiavos): Download (Duration: 50:44 — 27.8MB)

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The second Mishna in Pirkei Avos features a powerful teaching from one of the pivotal and legendary characters in Jewish History. Shimon HaTzadik (Simeon the Righteous), the Kohen Gadol who succeeded Ezra, enlightens us by teaching us that the world stands on three things, Torah, worship of God, and loving-kindness. What are these three things and what does it mean that the world stands upon them?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 30, 2017

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Vayigash – Joseph’s Magnanimity

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 59:26 — 27.2MB)

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Our Parsha sees the conclusion of the Saga of Joseph. The favorite son of Jacob is finally reunited with his father and his family as the fledgling nation of Israel descends to Egypt. When we study Joseph’s interactions with his brothers and his father, we discover something incredible. Joseph was magnanimous with them in a completely surprising and uncommon way. Joseph exhibited a novel assessment of the events that can radically transform the way we see the world and the things that happen in it.

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This Parsha Podcast is dedicated by my dear friend Shuan Hiller in honor of the Upsherin of Aryeh Borowsky, the son of our dear friends David and Chana Borowsky. May young Aryeh grow and flourish and become a wonderful person and a wonderful Jew; someone who brings Nachas and joy to his special parents and grandparents, and becomes a beacon for the whole Jewish nation.

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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