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The question of “why bad things happen to good people” is an exceedingly difficult philosophical dilemma to grapple with. We believe that God is in absolute control of everything that happens in the world. We also believe that He is Just. Yet we see so much injustice all around us. In this podcast we explore the various Jewish sources regarding this question and build a model for understanding it.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 45:04 — 23.8MB)

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We believe that God is in total control of everything. Can we rely upon Him to feed our family? Would that be considered negligence? What are the parameters of faith and reliance on God vs. personal responsibility?

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This podcast was recorded live at the Kollel of Houston Torah Center. Please visit torcweb.org for program details and to make a donation.

If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcast – The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Website: RabbiWolbe.com

Twitter: @RabbiWolbe

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Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

English Source Sheet: canhashgachapratispaythebills-sourcesenglish

Hebrew Source Sheet: can-reliance-on-god-pay-the-bills-hebrew-source-sheet-docx

Podcast: Download (Duration: 56:49 — 26.0MB)

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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 – the next world. What is this world all about? Why is it worthy of being the venue for reward? Why ought we yearn to be included in the fraternity of the righteous who merit access to that world?

OlamHabaSourceSheets

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:08:28 — 31.3MB)

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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 multi-century undertaking, in a certain respect is still ongoing, to write down all of Oral Torah. What prompted this reversal of tradition? What unique conditions were present at that time that enabled these projects to fruition? How did the architects of these monumental and magisterial works infuse the written Oral Torah with the same flavor that was present prior when the Oral Torah was yet unwritten?

Core Beliefs of Judaism with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe – Torah Part 22

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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 hair to appear younger when interviewing for a position?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:14:22 — 34.0MB)

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“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 junctures in our lives. We are formed and placed in utero; then we are born into the world; then we live our life; then we die; and finally we are resurrected to give an accounting for our actions. All these happen against our and only because the Almighty mandates it. During four of these five junctures we cannot make choices that affect our life and legacy. Only during our lifetime, when we have free choice to determine our destiny, can we do anything to improve or regress. By examining the transformations that occur during each of these five points in time we gain a greater understanding of our essential makeup and the purpose of the middle juncture – life.