34 Lessons
Can Z'chut Avot Ever "Run-Out"?
How does Z'chut Avot (merit of our fore-fathers) work? Why should their actions thousands of years ago, still be effective, say if over the more than 100 generations, we may have done many more sins that eventually out-weigh even their many merits? And if so, does that mean that there possibly may not be a ge'ula (redemption), if we really don't deserve it? Especially today, when most Jews (especially outside of Israel), aren't that observant, this topic is particularly pertinent. As usual, Rav Kook zt"l has an innovative approach to the topic. (Rav Kook, Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 31)
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 17 Elul 5783
A Tale of Two Fathers
After his first Shabbos ends with an unspeakable tragedy, Shimon Ilan’s resilience & faith paves the way for an unexpected friendship and inspires Yaakov Shwekey’s latest hit song Ein Davar Ra.
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Iyar 8 5782
A Tapestry Of Diversity
Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if we were all the same? We'd all get along so well! Right?
Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair | Adar I 23 5782
Signed At Sinai
When Alex Shafir was called to do a random act of kindness he discovers he was repaying a debt 30 years later!
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Adar I 2 5782
It's Snow Coincidence
An amazing story on how Hashem is always watching over us and helping us out.
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Chesshcvan 26 5782
Why Evil Exists
A mini-lecture about why evil exists in this world.
Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair | Elul 19 5781
Two Bottles of Coca-Cola cost $4 billion
Mystical concepts can be hard to imagine, but something happened recently that gives us a parable to grasp the enormous power that lies within us.
Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair | Tammuz 14 5781
The Different Levels On Which G-d Runs the World & Transmits to Us
Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 241
Anyone who believes that G-d runs the world knows that he does so via various ways & on many different levels. Rav Kook deals with these many venues how He transmits messages to us & analyzes the extent of the direct & indirect levels, including dreams (mine & those around me) sickness (mine & those around me), accidents, challenges etc. The question of "why bad things happen to good people" is based upon the mistaken & even childish thought that life is supposed to be smooth, as opposed to Judaism which sees life as challenges, some pleasant & others not, which are sent us as G-d's way of helping us grow, be independent & Godly. Many aspects of life have nothing to do with "reward & punishment", but are "wake-up calls" to analyze ourselves.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 17 5781
So What’s the Goal of Life?!!
We all know that if you don't have a goal, you can't score! We all have many goals, but is there one which encompasses and is the common denominator of them all? Such a definition will prevent us from feeling torn between the many goals and roles we have. One theory is that the goal of life is pleasure, which is the common denominator of all people. On the other hand, all those people also have an ideal for which they are willing to forego all of their pleasure, inferring that ideals supersede pleasure! The class suggests that these 2 theories are 1 and the same, for we all want pleasure, but ideals are not 3rd class (short-term) pleasure, nor 2nd class (long-term) pleasure, but rather 1st class, eternal pleasure.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 24 5780
Givers Keepers
A powerful story reminding us what we give away is what we keep forever.
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Sivan 30 5780
The Coffee
A short Chizuk story about Chaim who decided to learn one night for five hours straight.
Michael Rothschild | Iyar 18 5780
Why Did the Rabbis Add So Many Mitzvot?
Appreciating the Minutiae and Ideals of Rabbinic Mitzvot
Rav Kook deals with the classic questions asked by any thinking practicing Jew: Why did the rabbis institute so many additional rabbinic laws, which pre-occupy us day and night? Did the Torah not command us enough obligations and restrictions?! In this famous article from Orot called "Chacham Adif miNavi", Rav Kook suggests a totally innovative approach to appreciating the minutiae and ideals of Rabbinic Mitzvot, enlightening and motivating us in their observance.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 26 5780
Meet Mr. Appelbaum
A 100-Year-old man reveals his life-long secret to staying healthy.
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Nisan 25 5780
What Happens After We Die?
About Heaven- Hell- Revival of the Dead- Reincarnation
Why aren't heaven and hell more discussed in the Torah? How can we really believe in Olam Haba if we don' have proof that it exists? Why do we want Techiyat Hametim to happen if Olam Haba is so amazing? Who goes to heaven and who doesn't?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 5 5780
The Babysitter's Message
A young 14-year-old girl ends up saving the life of a seven-year-old child she was babysitting so many years later.
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Cheshvan 8 5780
One in Ten Million
An inspiring story about the great power of answering "Amen".
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Tishrei 24 5779
Saved by Accident
A story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Joel and Yechiel were good friends until one day one got the other arrested...
Rabbi Yoel Gold
Hand of Fate
An amazing story about how Hashem is always looking out for us, even when we can't understand it.
Rabbi Yoel Gold
Bad Turns to Good Through Perspective
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 55 (p1)
Rav Kook's optimism explains that what seems "bad" is just the "developing good", and takes issue with neo-paganism, Schoppenhauer and the school of pessimism.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 22 5775
