Alan Dershowitz, in his book The Vanishing Jew, describes that as part of a course he taught in Harvard Law school, one of his co-professors decided to rate G-d. They decided to sit in judgment of Hashem, to determine how good a job He did when He created this world. Their conclusion? They found much good, much wisdom and forethought, but they also found much suffering and pain, needless pain. So on balance they gave G-d a B-. Forgetting about the absurdity of a flesh and blood man judging G-d, ...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr
We spend our life trying to gain Olam Habbah. All of our learning, all of our chessesd, all of our davening, is directed towards creating what I will be forever. Yet sometimes it seems that we work harder and not smarter towards our goal. In this Shmuz, we are introduced to a simple method to dramatically increase our portion in Olam Habbah- a smarter way. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much ove...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Did you ever notice that no one does anything wrong? It seems that no matter how clear it is to you and me that this person is engaged in self destructive behavior, he doesn't admit that he is doing something wrong or harmful; rather he comes up with an entire rationale why it is good and in fact proper.To allow for Free Will, we humans had to be given this ability to rationalize away our behavior, to view what we do, whatever we do, as right and proper, because otherwise we could never allow ou...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 6 min
In this introduction to emunah, we are presented with four basic levels of belief: 1. Hashem created the world. 2. Hashem is involved in the really big picture issues - war, famine, life and death. 3. Hashem knows my inner thoughts. 4. Hashem is intimately involved in my day to day life. After outlining and defining the levels, we are given practical techniques to improve our level of belief in all four categories, so that we can not only know in our minds these understandings, but actually feel...
Mar 09, 2019•56 min
Of course we daven. Three times a day. Everyday. The question is how real our davening is, and to whom are we davening. It often seems that our davening is more talking to the walls than talking to Hashem. This Shmuz helps us focus on some of the most basic principles in Judaism, things we always knew, yet take for granted, and are so critical for our growth as religious Jews and thinking people. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsore...
Mar 09, 2019•51 min
It is clear that Hashem wants man to work for a living. But is there a particular profession that I should I be doing to make a living? Does the Torah have a formula for me to figure out exactly what line of work I should pursue? Using the system explained by the Chovos Halevovos we are given clear directions towards finding the right way for me to earn my living. (Essential hashkafa for a person just starting out on their professional path, as well as for an individual who is already well estab...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr
To many of us the issue of belief in the Creator boils down to logic against faith. As if from a purely rational, intellectual point of view it would appear that the world evolved, and we who believe have to hold on to our faith against the onslaught of logic and scientific discoveries. In this Shmuz we are asked to look at matters from a very different vantage point, namely: that which passes in the media as popular science, is neither popular nor science. And the reality is that from a dispass...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 12 min
It almost seems as if some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others are destined to suffer. Why is it is that some people are born with amazing capacity, and others are created so simple? Why is there autism in the world? Why Down Syndrome? If in fact God is just, why not mete out talents and abilities in an equal manner to all people?Using the backdrop of a famous event brought in the Talmud; this Shmuz focuses us on some of the big picture issues of life, helping us und...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 1 min
While this may be philosophys greatest question, isnt it something that any thinking person must answer: What is my purpose in existence? Drawing from The Path of the Just, this Shmuz focuses us on finding the true meaning and purpose of our life.What is my purpose in life?What are my true core values?What does it mean after death I will live on? I will be dead! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is mu...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 13 min
Over the course of history, it seems that there has been no shortage of anti-Semites, people who truly hate Jews and would do anything in their power to put an end to the Jewish Problem. Yet it also seems that if you ask the common anti-Semite, why is it that you hate the Jew? Likely, he wouldnt be able to answer. I know that you dream about their demise- but why? What is it about them that bothers you so? Yet there was a time when anti-Semites not only hated Jews, but they could tell you why. A...
Mar 09, 2019•55 min
Of course loshon horah is forbidden. We know it was the prime cause of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash, and of course we know that we arent supposed to speak it--yet we do. A big part of the reason is that we dont really see it as wrong, we dont see it as damaging, and we certainly dont see the act of speaking as something that will cost us in the future.This Shmuz is a powerful introduction to the effects that our words have on other peoples lives in this world, and on ours in the World t...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 8 min
It is very difficult for us human beings to accept that we do things that are wrong, and so we rationalize. We create illusions and fanciful stories that we ourselves dont believe. And so, you will find intelligent, otherwise rational people saying things like, Of course I wouldnt steal, stealing is dishonest, but this isnt stealing .Its shtick. We mach shtick. We mach Shtick with the tickets, mach shtick with the regents. But its O.K because its not stealing; its only shtick.This Shmuz helps us...
Mar 09, 2019•50 min
By all accounts Noach was a Tzadik. Yet he didnt go into the teivah until the water forced him in. Rashi tells us the reason was that Noach Believed and he didnt believe. Whilst he knew that Hashem was going to bring a mabul, he still doubted it. What seems perplexing is that Hashem spoke to Noach telling him there would be a flood. Not only that, but Noach had spent the last 120 years building a teivah for the flood. How was it possible that he didn't believe that Hashem was actually going to b...
Mar 09, 2019•46 min
We all daven, and on some level we know that Davening works. But do we really understand it? Do we really understand that our prayers have an effect on our lives? Do we really understand that my davening can change the circumstances of my life?This Shmuz helps us understand the profound effect that tefilah can have on situations and settings that directly affect our lives. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. ...
Mar 09, 2019•38 min
After all is said and done, what was so great about the Akeidah? Throughout history many people have been called upon and have made great sacrifices. Yet this single act echoes through the millennia. What was so unique about what Avrahom did? What was so special about the way he did it? And more pointedly, what relevance does it have for us some 3,700 years later? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is ...
Mar 09, 2019•53 min
The Shadchan says, "So tell me, what are you looking for?" And, out comes the laundry list."I need someone who is extroverted, funny, and outgoing.""I need a woman who is very frum, good, kind, tolerant, and funny.""I need a guy who is tall, a take-charge type, strong but not headstrong."And unwittingly, many people make the first mistake of the dating game - they aren't looking for their Bashert- they have already formed him in their minds, and now are out to find the one that comes the closest...
Mar 09, 2019•56 min
Of course we appreciate our parents. Of course we respect them. Isnt that only natural? Doesnt everyone? And yet we dont. We live in a society that doesnt seem to know the meaning of the word respect. There is no respect for authority, no respect for institutions, no respect for elders, and even no respect for ourselves. Unfortunately, we are affected by this, and this lack of respect goes so far as to shape our relationships, and the way we relate even to people that we love. This Shmuz deals w...
Mar 09, 2019•56 min
We know the Avos and Imahos were great individuals -- but what made them so great? Where did they get the moral courage to see what was right, and stick to it against all external pressures?Through the famous story of Rochel giving up her husband to her sister Leah so as not to embarrass her, we are introduced to some of the basic ingredients that shape any great persons success the moral strength to be a person of principle. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcas...
Mar 09, 2019•49 min
Has there ever been a time when you reacted to something, and you couldnt believe that it was you who was speaking that way? Have you ever said something and had a feeling of, What came over me it was as if I were possessed?In this introduction to the inner workings of the human being, we come face to face with the understanding that I am created from very diverse elements. Within me are different forces pulling in opposite directions. Not only isnt this accidental, it is actually a necessary co...
Mar 09, 2019•50 min
What if I just live my life, as any other occupant of this planet? What is so bad about that? Lets say, I am no worse than Joe the UPS driver, or Bob the mechanic, will Hashem really be upset with me? In this Shmuz we are brought to understand how great the human is, and how much he can accomplish. Within the context of this understanding the question of What am I accomplishing with my life?, becomes much more acute -- if I truly have great potential and I am wasting it- if I am living like a ro...
Mar 09, 2019•53 min
What actually happened in the war to recapture the Bais Hamikdash? How many battles were fought? How long did they last? What was it like living in Yerushlayim at the time?Detailing the story of Chanukah as brought in Megillas Chashmonaim, this Shmuz brings us closer to understanding the events of the time, and appreciating the miracle that unfolded. It then takes us forward in time to some modern miracles that seem to overshadow even those of the Chanukah time period. See acast.com/privacy for ...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 3 min
We live in a world of disrespect. Children dont respect parents. Students dont respect teachers, spouses dont respect each other and I certainly cant respect a President or world leader who gives in to his every passion and whim. In this Shmuz we find that Torah has a very different understanding of respect, and who is worthy of respect. We are introduced to the Torahs concept of respecting the institution even if we dont respect the person. And we are brought to focus on the tremendous sense of...
Mar 09, 2019•58 min
If Hashem would just show me one miracle, then I would really believe. If Hashem would just show me one clear sign -- it would change my life. This premise that seeing a miracle would make a person believe is brought into sharp relief by one central question: Why didnt the ancient Egyptians believe in Hashem? They experienced all of the greatest miracles ever shown. They lived through the greatest manifestation of Hashems hand, and yet they didnt come to believe in Hashem. Through illustrating s...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 2 min
While we boast of more labor saving devices that ever before in history, It seems that we are busier today than we have ever been. In fact, we are so busy that we dont even have the time to ask ourselves what is that we are so busy with.This Shmuz focuses us on attitudes and perspectives that we pick up from the society in which we live attitudes that may be against what the Torah views as ideal, and even against what common sense says is intelligent. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-ou...
Mar 09, 2019•44 min
We all know that anger is bad and if we have ever gotten into a situation where we lost our temper, we certainly wished that we hadnt --but what can I do? This is the way I react. He said something, I saw red and exploded. That is just my nature. I didnt ask to be born this way, and there is nothing that I can do about it. Right? In this Shmuz we are introduced to the motivation and the mechanics of doing that most difficult of tasks -really changing ourselves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy ...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Have you ever heard of something called a guilty conscience? What about a Jewish guilty conscience? While we all recognize that Voice Inside, that seems to moralize and lecture to us when we have stepped over the line, we assume that this is just one of those things that we have to sort of ignore. In this Shmuz we are brought to understand that Voice that HASHEM put inside every human is actually a highly sophisticated tool --almost a moral compass-- that will allow us to find our path amongst t...
Mar 09, 2019•50 min
Who can look at a sunset and not say Wow, look at the beauty of this world.? Yet, it seems that we rarely do that. It is almost as if we are detached from the natural world -- As if the world of lions and tigers and bears is a place reserved for taking our children to when they are little, but has no connection to our lives.The Rishonim tell us that the surest way to come to understand that there is a creator of the world is to look at the creation and say just that. Wow! Look at the wisdom, loo...
Mar 09, 2019•57 min
We read about the Holocaust, we study about the holocaust, we memorialize the Holocaust, and yet it seems that this question isnt dealt with. Where was G-d during the Holocaust? Yet, isnt this one of the most basic questions a thinking person must deal with?Tracing the historical rise of Nazism and Adolph Hitler, a strong case is made for seeing the presence of G-d during these horrific times. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored b...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Throughout history all things change, the only constant that seems to cross all cultural and time barriers, is that everyone hates the Jew. Is there a Torah perspective that can explain why the Jewish nation is so tortured and oppressed? If we accept that G-D controls what happens on this earth is there a reason why His nation, the Chosen People are so downtrodden? Are there forces involved that control the very destiny of Israel?This Shmuz explores some of the underlying causes of the Jewish Na...
Mar 09, 2019•48 min
We know the Torah gave us a specific mitzvah - to work on our character traits, but how do I change my very basic, underlying emotional makeup? Much like as with any character trait, I didnt wake up in the morning and say, I just want to be a big, fat, arrogant buffoon. I didnt wake up and say, I would like to consider myself the most important human on the planet G-d's gift to humanity. But what can I do? Thats how I feel. Now what? This Shmuz helps us deal with the gaavah, arrogance, as it fun...
Mar 09, 2019•1 hr
