Category Archives: Podcasts

Why are Jews so obsessed with Torah study?

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For more than three millennia now the Jews have remained steadfastly dedicated to Torah study. Even during times when 99% of their non-Jewish neighbors were illiterate, every man, woman and child in the Jewish community was able to read and write – and well versed in Torah. Jewish societies have historically valued Torah knowledge and study above all. The Torah scholar was revered, and the Torah ignoramus reviled; in Talmudic times the sharpest barb possible was calling someone a “reik” – an empty person devoid of Torah. What about the Torah is so critical, crucial, pivotal and essential that has fostered such an unyielding love and devotion? In this presentation, Rabbi Wolbe assembles some of the famous – and some of the more obscure reasons – why even in contemporary times the study of Torah is invaluable if a better life is what you seek.

The Three Loves & A Guaranteed Formula To Love And Happiness

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What if there was a repeatable and formulaic method to achieving happiness? What if there was a systematic step-by-step instruction manual to acquiring, sustaining and deepening our relationships? Indeed, the manual for living – the Torah – takes our hand and guides us to achieving what we desire most.

Envy and Faith

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Jewish law makes a strange distinction regarding the prohibition of envy: Envy of someone else’s physical, material and intellectual gifts and successes is prohibited, while envy of another’s spiritual achievements are permitted and encouraged. What is the rationale for that distinction and why does it mirror the prohibition of arrogance? We also learn that of the fine pattern strung through the Ten Commandments, why some always wear ties when praying and several interesting Heavenly proclamations made before a child is even born.

Illuminating and Practical Ancient Wisdom that can save your Relationships

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While humans have seemingly progressed, improved and evolved in many areas of life, in the arena of relationships we are comparatively neanderthals, and we are regressing. Surprisingly, a 3300 year old document will succinctly instruct and guide us in four sentences more successfully than all the relationships and self help books in Barnes and Noble.

The Humble Man with a Mind of a Thousand Men

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:00:36 — 27.7MB)

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There is a fine line between arrogance and a keen understanding of the brutal facts; between humility and delusion. Did Moses – the humblest of men – know that he was the Jewish greatest prophet? Is the smartest guy in the room allowed to know that fact without transgressing on the severe sin of גאוה, haughtiness? Join Rabbi Wolbe in grappling and pondering these important questions.

Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Soul

Podcast: Download (Duration: 59:24 — 27.2MB)

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The words of our Sages in the Talmud were written with the utmost precision and exactitude. Thus, when encountering perplexing statements in the Talmud (as in the subject of this class) it is a grave error to consider that the authors made a mistake or even to only study the statement superficially without straining to understand the true meaning and intent. Often the wisdom of the Talmud is concealed beneath a thick layer of profundity, and only after digging fastidiously will you begin to understand the unfathomable depth of the the words.

In the very first book of the Talmud, Tractate Brachos, we find this incredibly confounding statement:

שלשה מעין העולם הבא, אלו הן: שבת, שמש, ותשמיש. תשמיש דמאי? אילימא תשמיש המטה – הא מכחש כחיש? אלא תשמיש נקבים. (ברכות דף נז:)

Translation in English: Three things are a measure of the World To Come. They are: Shabbos, the Sun, and tashmish. What does tashmish mean? If you say tashmish hamita (sexual intercourse), it weakens. Rather, it must be referring to tashmish nekavim (bowel removal).

Join us as we attempt to unravel this intriguing but puzzling gem of Talmudic wisdom.

Life Begins Before Conception (Jewish Life Cycles Part 1)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:27:48 — 40.2MB)

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Us Jews are privy to the most valuable thing on Earth: The Almighty’s precious Torah. All too often we neglect to realize the enormity of this reality, but if you stop for a second and truly analyze it you will recognize how astonishing it is. Mere mortal humans, the most fallible and feeble of all creatures; these same humans who are constantly swayed by our petty whims and desires  have access to the wisdom and instructions of the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and Earth?!? If this alone will not blow your mind away, some of the incredible content of the Torah likely will. In this class we discuss some of the Torah’s statements regarding the early existence and development of children and talk about what it means for us.

Click HERE for part 2

Mussar and the anatomy of change

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:19:59 — 36.6MB)

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Human all have a collection of positive and negative character traits. Judaism teaches us that we must perfect our character and acquire all the good characteristics and rid ourselves of our negative character maladies. But religiosity is not the only reason why change is imperative. Relationship breakdown only occurs due to bad character. Proper parenting is only possible if the parent has good character. Productivity and willpower can only result in someone who has succeeded in achieving those wonderful characteristics. Learning how to improve one’s character is a very valuable skill indeed. In this class we learn the broad strokes of the Mussar approach to achieving good character.

Breakneck through the Bible – Spouse Selection (Genesis Chapters 24-25)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:28:06 — 40.3MB)

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Spousal selection is a perplexing and vexing part of life for most people; at least if the rates of failure in marriage are indeed what they are reported to be. The average person does not now where to start, what to do, what to look out for and how not to make a grievous and costly mistake by making a poor selection. The result is a convergence of an enormously important decision and an utter lack of knowledge of how to go about making that decision. For guidance and direction in this area of life we turn to the Almighty’s book of life instructions (a good idea for any difficult situation) and analyze the Torah’s exhaustive description of the vetting and selection of a spouse for Isaac – focusing on the minutiae of all the small details – and attempt to draw insight and instruction that is as relevant today as ever.