00:00 Questions 04:30 If God has unconditional love for us, then why are there so many conditions? Why did God not just create a world that was purely good? How do we know that there is an afterlife? 16:33 Do non-religious Jews have a place in the world to come? Are we all judged the same way? How to keep growing in small steps. We don't know who is holier to God. 25:41 What if being observant interferes with our career and life goals? If all Jews kept halacha would there be less contributions t...
Jul 14, 2025•51 min•Ep. 115
Rabbi Daniel Rowe responds to questions about Jewish belief and Jewish philosophy in a weekly Q&A with students in the Aish Jerusalem foundations program. Today's topics include: 00:00 A recap of the Questions asked 01:30 Does the improbability of intelligent life prove God? 14:20 Could there be intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? If so would that impact Torah or make our lives less significant? 16:51 If aliens exist why are they not mentioned in Torah? 18:30 What about Rabbinic laws...
Jul 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 114
This class was given at the Aish HaTorah Jerusalem Women's seminary, 'Aspire' program, as a question and answer session. The topics raised include: What are the 6000 years of history and the 7th millennium? Moshiach (Messiah) son of Yosef and Moshiach son of David? What is the World to Come? Who does and does not make it to the World to Come? Is it just for Jews? or Non-Jews as well? What is the Resurrection of the Dead? and how does that fit it? Why is belief in Moshiach considered a fundamenta...
Jun 26, 2025•57 min•Ep. 113
the Torah reading of Vayigash starts mid sentence, following the cliff-hanger anding of last week's Torah reading Miketz. With Binyomin (Benjamin) framed by the Egyptain viceroy Tzafnas Pa'aneach (Yosef/Joseph) thre brothers face the looming catastrophe of the loss of the last reminaing child of Yaakov (Jacob)'s favoured wife Rachel. This week begins with Yehuda (Judah) stepping forth to confront the Egyptian leader and do all he can to save his borther. Then in the great plot twist Yosef reveal...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 112
In this mini-series, Rabbi Daniel Rowe explains the deeper meaning and understanding of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and how it applies to our lives. This episode brings out the essence of the ideological clash between the Seleucid oppressors and the Jews of the Chanuka story. It addresses the curious selection of 4 areas of observance that were banned: Circumcision, Shabbat, Forcing us to use a calendar instead of witnesses for the New Month, and a seemingly futile atempt to ban the oral tra...
Dec 31, 2024•20 min•Ep. 111
In this mini-series, Rabbi Daniel Rowe explains the deeper meaning and understanding of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and how it applies to our lives. Previous episodes showed how Chazal (Rabbis of Talmud and Midrash) locate the deep spiritual roots of the Chanuka story to the divisions within the Jewish nation and family going all the way back to Torah (Hebrew Bible) with the sons of Jacob. This episode locates the solution to national schism to the tribe of Levi. It is the elements of passio...
Dec 31, 2024•23 min•Ep. 110
In this mini-series, Rabbi Daniel Rowe explains the deeper meaning and understanding of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and how it applies to our lives. This episode examines the two aspects of the Jewish people as manifest in the Biblical ancestors Yehuda (Judah) and Yosef (Joseph). The schism in the first family that becomes national division in the First Temple period and the Greek era can and must be reconciled in order to survive exile. This episode demonstrates how the two end up coming to...
Dec 30, 2024•16 min•Ep. 109
In this mini-series, Rabbi Daniel Rowe explains the deeper meaning and understanding of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and how it applies to our lives. In the previous episode we traced the roots of Chanuka (Hanukkah) back to the sale of Yosef (Joseph) in the Torah (Hebrew Bible). Rather than a mate rof simplistic jealousy, we discovered the dangers inherent in the charm, charisma and beauty of Yosef (Joseph). Time and again the idolatry of latre generations is linked back to the descendents of...
Dec 29, 2024•12 min•Ep. 108
In this mini-series, Rabbi Daniel Rowe explains the deeper meaning and understanding of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and how it applies to our lives. This episode explores the fraternal tension in the first family of Israel. The Torah (Hebrew Bible) recounts the story of the brothers who sell Joseph. In this video we discover the fear they had that his beauty and charm could lead to narcissim and self worshp, and even lead to paganism. What it is that they feared in fact came true in later ge...
Dec 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 107
In this mini-series, Rabbi Daniel Rowe explains the deeper meaning and understanding of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and how it applies to our lives. This first episode discusses the Rabbinic insight that traces the roots of Chanuka right back to the darkness and light of the first day of creation. Subscribe for more videos about Judaism, Jewish Philosophy and Kabbalah. Rabbi Daniel Rowe is a popular Rabbi, philosopher and educator in the UK, who uses deep knowledge of Judaism, science and ph...
Dec 24, 2024•13 min•Ep. 106
Vayeshev opens with apparent jealousy and hatred that results in his sons selling their brother Yoseph (Joseph) into slavery. The sidra (weekly Torah reading) follows the twists and turns of Yoseph's saga as he rises up to seniority in the household of an Egyptian official Potiphar, only to be framed and thrown in jail. There too his attempt to help Pharoah's imprisoned servants through dream interpretation, ends up with him being abandoned and neglected for two more years. In between these epis...
Dec 19, 2024•53 min•Ep. 105
In this Question and Answer session on areas of Judaism and Jewish thought with Rabbi Daniel Rowe at Aish HaTorah Yeshiva, the following questions are raised and discussed: 00:00 How does prayer fit into our other service of Hashem? Why do we pray? 14:35 Can we feel or experience spirituality? 23:30 How do we motivate ourselves to bring God's light into the world? 28:20 Nefesh Hachaim vs Chassidus 37:30 When and how does hashkafah (philosophical perspective) impact Halacha (Jewish law)? 41:30 Ho...
Dec 18, 2024•56 min•Ep. 104
The section of the Torah called 'Toldos' (literally 'offspring' or 'generations') begins the critical process of the creation of the nation Yisrael (Israel). The drama takes place in four acts, the birth of the rival twins Yaakov (Jacob) and Esav (Esau), the displacement of the family and their struggles in the land of Gerar, Rivak (Rebecca) switching Yaakov (Jacob) for Esav when it came to their blind father Yitzchak (Isaac) wanting to bless them, and the decision to then send Yaakov away from ...
Nov 29, 2024•46 min•Ep. 103
What is Moshiach supposed to do? Can we really expect him at any moment? What is meant by the 'World to Come'? is it physical? spiritual? DO people come back as an old person? What if someone was reincarnated? Could they come back as their own granchild? In multiple marriages? And why are these concepts so fundamental to Judaism? Are they even discussed in the Torah? All these and more are questions discussed in this class. This episode was recorded at Aish Hatorah Jerusalem, November 2024, give...
Nov 20, 2024•48 min•Ep. 102
00:00 What is the difference between soul mind brain and body? 08:28 Is the 'yetzer hora' (negative inclination) an angel? our body? something else? 13:35 What does the Torah mean when it says 'God came down'? (Prophecy etc) 18:39 Are generations getting spiritually weaker? and how do we compensate? 21:55 Why do we want the Temple? (part 1) (Stages of Messianic era) 22:28 Why we don't like miracles, returning to the yeridas hodoros (diminishing generations) 29:26 Why do we need the Temple? (part...
Nov 18, 2024•54 min•Ep. 101
In this Q&A on Jewish Philosophy, Rabbi Rowe is asked about the following topics that cover different schools of thought in Jewish Philosophy Kabbalah, Rationalists and so on: 00:00 Philosophical arguments for Jewish beliefs vs 'Emunah Peshuta', 'straightforward faith' 15:08 What are 'angels'? do they have freewill? 27:56 Why does the Torah not give us a scientific account of creation? Be sure to subscribe to the channel for weekly videos on Jewish philosophy, wisdom and world-changing ideas...
Oct 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 100
Sukkot is described in the Torah (Hebrew Bible) as the 'time of our rejoicing'. Yet its commandments to move out of a house into a temporary structure (Sukka) and the waving of rht 'four species' (lulav, etrog fruit etc) do not at first seem obviously linked to either joy or holiness. Rabbi Rowe explores the Talmudic teachings and shows how Chazal (the ancient Rabbis) reveal in the Sukkah deep philosophical and psychological teachings about the nature of life as a journey, about the ability to c...
Oct 14, 2024•40 min•Ep. 99
Through the first 3 chapters, Rambam (Maimonidies) analysed the nature of Teshuvah ('repentance') in Jewish philosophy, moving from the 'tikun' undoing damage, to the healing of relationships, to a rediscovery of our place in the world. In the 3rd chapter Rambam introduced the 'book of life' and the way in which our lives are not individuated distinct moments but part of a singular organic whole. This section works through the list Rambam provides a list of attitudes and behaviours that could re...
Oct 11, 2024•47 min•Ep. 98
In the 3rd chapter Rambam (Maimonides) offers a third dimension to the nature of Teshuva (repentence), Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, by exploring the notion that life is not merely distinct persons, choices and moments, but also has totalities. People places and the world as a whole can be defined as tzadik (righteous) rasha (anti-righteous) or benoni (undetermined). Whilst the default may be that things are underdetermined, eventually individual lives and the totality of history must arc to an o...
Oct 10, 2024•52 min•Ep. 97
In the continuation of the 2nd chapter Rambam (Maimonides), topics familiar from the first chapter re-emerge in a radically new light. There is a new meaning to repentance, to confession, and to the Day of Yom Kippur (Day of atonement). In place of metaphysical cleansing, there is an unmissable opportunity to reconnect to Hashem as Source of creation. the chapter clearly sees 'Teshuvah' as far more than repenting and changing behaviour. It is a pathway to far greater and more meaningful connecti...
Oct 09, 2024•27 min•Ep. 96
00:00 What is the goal of creation? (and different opinions about it) 03:33 Is it fair that only some people are born Jewish (or any other life circumstance that we never chose) ? 15:41 Is it selfish to want a relationship with Hashem for reward? 20:15 Does it matter to God what we do? 23:53 If we can serve God in every situation why do we want blessings? 28:26 Trusting Hashem, Learning Torah vs earning income 43:24 Why do so many intelligent people not believe? (is it just bias?) These question...
Oct 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 95
In the 2nd chapter Rambam (Maimonides) turns away from the metaphysics of atonement and instead focuses on Teshuva as the restoration of relationship with God, with other people and ultimately with ourselves. The masterful brilliance of Maimonides and his careful analysis of the prophetic verses revels some of the most profound psychological and spiritual insights into the nature of change, the grip that delusion holds over each person, and the profound sense of freedom that Teshuvah allows. Thi...
Oct 08, 2024•49 min•Ep. 94
A series exploring the Rambam's (Maimonides') Laws of Repentance. These chapters explore the world of repentance, or more literally 'return' to one's true self, and also include discussions of some of the most fundamental principles and themes of Jewish philosophy; freewill, the world to come, reward and punishment and loving Hashem (God). Chapter one explores the role of vidui (confession) and the impact of Yom Kippur. The chapter seems to raise many questions and problems. Rabbi Rowe explains ...
Oct 06, 2024•51 min•Ep. 93
Speaking at Aish Yeshiva, Rabbi Daniel Rowe discusses the significance of Rosh Hashana, and how one can prepare for the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, but strangely enough it occurs in the middle of the year (in the 7th month). Talmudic commentaries suggest that it does not mirror the day of creation, but the day that 'it arose in the mind of God to create' What is the deep secret contained in that enigmatic teaching? What is G-d expecting of us on Rosh Hashana? What is s...
Oct 01, 2024•39 min•Ep. 92
On every significant date in the Jewish calendar, whether fast day or festival, it is a straightforward matter to know what the emotional state we are trying to achieve. Rosh Hashana is different. There are aspects of judgment, and prayers that refer to it as a heavy and sever day when life and death stands in the balance. On the other hand there are laws and sources, from the book of Nechemiah (Nehemiah) through to the Shulchan Aruch that appear to deliver a contradictory message; that we need ...
Sep 29, 2024•41 min•Ep. 91
How to relate to and connect to the longest Tefila (prayer service) of the Jewish year. The Talmud in Rosh Hashanah gives an enigmatic overview of the Rosh Hashanah musaf service and the need to add in verses about God's kingship (Malchuyot), human and national Jewish memories (Zichronot) and events involving the Shofar (Shofarot). What is the purpose? and how does this help take us on the profound annual journey of Rosh Hashanah? Rabbi Rowe begins by exploring prayer in general, addressing an o...
Sep 29, 2024•54 min•Ep. 90
During his weekly Q & A sessions with Aish Yeshiva, Rabbi Daniel Rowe answers a variety of questions on many different Jewish topics. This week he answers questions about the purpose of our existence in the time of Moshiach (the Messiah and the Messianic era), the Authenticity of Zohar, and Jewish Mysticism. This is one of many videos in which Rabbi Daniel Rowe addresses questions on Jewish philosophy and Jewish ideas. Subscribe for more videos about Jewish Wisdom, thought, and Jewish issues...
Sep 26, 2024•56 min•Ep. 89
In this first edition of the weekly Q & A sessions at the Aish HaTorah Yeshivah in Jersualem, Rabbi Daniel Rowe answers a variety of questions on many different Jewish topics. 1. What is the Jewish view of evolution? Does it contradict Torah? 2. If we lose freewill in the Messaianic era and lose the ability to gain reward then why should we pray for such an era? 3. What about religions that accept the Divine authorship of Torah but believe they have reasons to argue that God also gave other ...
Sep 22, 2024•58 min•Ep. 88
The section of the Torah (Hebrew Bible) called 'Chukas' or 'Statute' (Bamidbar/ Book of Numbers19-22:1) opens with the law of he red heifer, the paradigmatic 'Chok' or incomprehensible law about the purification process of one who has come into contact with a corpse. the sprinkling of water mixed with ashes of the red heifer contains a paradoxical law: in addition to purifying the contaminated, it also contaminates the pure! Why is this law given here in this part of Torah? Next we have some of ...
Jul 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 87
The Torah reading (Bamidbar/Numbers 13:1-15:41) focuses on the disasters report of the spies, and the Children of Israel rejecting the land. In this Shiur/lecture we discover that the consequence was not merely the need to wonder the Sinai desert for 40 years, but ultimately lead to wondering, exile and suffering for millenia. Subscribe for more videos about Judaism, Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah. Rabbi Daniel Rowe is a popular Rabbi, philosopher and educator in the UK, who uses deep knowledge o...
Jun 27, 2024•42 min•Ep. 86
