Orchot Tzaddikim class 83, "Awe" part ii

The class deals with how today in the democratic world, the "quaking" approach to G-d is counterproductive, and "awe" must be taught accordingly. The class also deals with 6 answers to the question why heaven and hell are not mentioned more in the Torah. And why it's important to educate children with prizes & positive reinforcements, and pleasurable association with Torah and mitzvot, and not to pretend that a child is more mature or idealistic than he really is.

Orchot Tzaddikim, class 82, "Awe" part i

The class begins the final chapter of Orchot Tzaddikim, and deals with 3 levels of awe, and how central it is to Judaism.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 81, "Torah" part ii

The class deals with how G-d grants each generation to innovate and add to the eternal Torah. Even though today, we may not be as religious and spiritual as previous generations, G-d has granted us many "game-changers" to make Torah today that much more NEW, exciting and intellectually and emotionally appealing.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 80, "Torah" part i

This is the first part of the chapter regarding the supreme importance of learning Torah, and why it is so central to Judaism. Anyone who feels a lack of motivation to learn should hear this class!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 79, Teshuva part x

G-d doesn't hold a grudge, and even King Menashe, who served every pagan deity, and turned to G-d only as a last resort, was accepted! These inspiring examples stress that we can always do Teshuva, even when we have slipped back many times. The class also includes practical examples of how to improve, to finish off this extensive topic.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 78, Teshuva part ix

The class deals with especially interesting aspects of Teshuva (we're skipping and just doing the most interesting parts of the remainder of this chapter), including how G-d really helps us in this effort, and as opposed to man, He will accept us even if we have ulterior motives!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 77, Teshuva part viii‏

The class describes the various mitzvot involved in kiruv, including an innovative explanation based upon the Rambam that this is actually part of belief in G-d, and loving Him, for the mitzvah is not just to believe but to get others to believe, as well, as inferred from the Shema and the word "liha'amin". The class also deals with the importance of not being cynical towards the rabbis or sages, even if one doesn't feel like observing, it's not beneficial nor intelligent to degrade the Torah and the greatest geniuses of Jewish history.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part vii‏

The class deals with how to cleave and strengthen the G-dly trait of "Truth", the need to pray for Teshuva, the importance of returning that which was wrongly taken before saying Viduy, and other aspects of Teshuva.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part vi

The class deals with not "resting on one's laurels", and that not a few people who lived their entire lives idealistically, "lost it" upon getting older. Similarly the importance of not focusing on luxuries but on the necessities of life.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part v

Orchot Tzaddikim class 73, "Teshuva" part iv

Orchot Tzaddikim class 72, Teshuva part iii

The class deals with the most common examples of mistakes or sins which we almost all do, some of which haven't changed, but we also point out those where historically there has been an interesting improvement over time.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 71, Teshuva part ii

The class deals with 7 reasons why not to delay one's Teshuva, and 7 additional aspects which make Teshuva challenging.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 70, Teshuva part i

This class begins the new topic of Teshuva, discussing the greatness and need, the easiness and the difficulty involved. There is also an interesting aside relating to the greatness and importance of Yerushalayim, including a classic story told by Rav Soloveichik.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 68, "Speech" part iv

It's especially problematic to scare children, and "I was only joking" is not an excuse for Lashon HaRah. Similarly, the concept of "it takes one to know one" should encourage people not to talk bad about others, for you may be "projecting" your own faults. Today's class also (somewhat) reveals the identity of the author of Orchot Tzaddikim, for he (as previously!) holds like the maverick opinion of the Smag regarding giving others the benefit of the doubt, which he holds is a Torah prohibition! He also holds that revealing a secret, even after many years, is also a Torah prohibition.

Orchot Tzaddikim 67, Gossip- Lashon HaRah part iii

The class deals with many additional practical and common examples of Lashon HaRah. The best way to improve our speech is by learning as often and as many examples as possible.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part ii

The class deals with how to work in journalism & read newspapers, as well dealing with politics according to the laws of gossip & slander. Also to the power of words and positive speech. The class also deals with why Lashon Harah is singled out in rabbinical literature as particularly severe.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part i - Description & Source sheet

The Orchot Tzaddikim was written about 500 years before the Chafetz Chaim's classic work on Shmirat HaLashon and the laws of Lashon Hara (gossip and forbidden speech). This opening class explains why this prohibition is viewed with such severity in Jewish law.

Orchot Tzaddikim (class 65), "Flattery" part ii

Most people don't even realize that "flattering" is problematic. This especially important and practical class deals with the question: when it's allowed and sometimes even virtuous (e.g. within the family, with students), but also when it's surprisingly prohibited!

OrchotTzaddikim (class 64), "Flattery" part i