The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Life is full of nuisances. For many – maybe all – life inevitably contains some pain, suffering, and affliction. How we approach these situations is a central element of our religion and theology. Our Sages revealed to us that accepting affliction is a means to achieve wisdom. It is one of the 48 ways to acquire Torah. In this Ethics Podcast we explore this weighty subject and propose an approach to rationalize how this can contribute towards the acquisition of Torah.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 21, 2023

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Our primary responsibility as humans and as Jews is to develop and deepen our faith in the Creator. Can we have faith in man? Can we have faith in a mortal? In the 24th way to achieve and acquire wisdom, we learn about the concept of having faith in our Sages. What does it mean to have faith in Sages? How does this contribute towards our acquisition of Torah? In this interesting Ethics Podcast, we discover the answers.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 6, 2023

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Although the study of Torah is ostensibly a cognitive pursuit, there are many qualities that are not cognitive nature that facilitate and enable the study of Torah. In this way to acquire wisdom, way #23, we learn about what it means to have a good heart , and how that serves as a means to acquire wisdom.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 23, 2023

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Anger is part of the human experience. When things agitate us, we get frustrated and have a tendency to lash out, to berate, to say things that we may regret. In this ethics podcast, we learn about the virtue of being slow to anger and how it can help supercharge our pursuit of wisdom.

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Life is serious. Pursuit of wisdom is the pursuit of truth. Pursuit of wisdom is the pursuit of understanding the Divine (to the best of our abilities). To access wisdom, we have to be very serious. But a little bit of levity – when done properly and in the right context – can be helpful. In this Ethics Podcast we explore the Torah’s perspective on levity and seriousness.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 20, 2023

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We are speaking beings. In fact, the central differentiation between humanity and animals is the capacity of verbal communication. The judgment that we face in Heaven is largely about how we deployed our superpower, our speech. The greatest mitzvos are performed with speech and some of the most grievous transgressions are also a product of the spoken word. What about idle chit chat? What about ordinary conversation? Small talk? There is a lot of gray area of speech that doesn’t immediately appear to be neither a mitzvah nor a sin. How are we to relate to this form of...

We all need to sleep. All humans, irrespective of their intelligence, their physical prowess, their wealth, must lay down in a comatose state for several hours a day and sleep. Sleep is also enjoyable. There’s something seductively delicious about sleep. What is the Torah’s attitude on sleep? Why did the Almighty design us that we need to sleep? What are the spiritual dangers in excessive sleep? In this ethics podcast we explore this fascinating subject. I would not recommend starting this podcast if you want to go to sleep. It’s so interesting, it will keep you awake...

Pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain are hardwired impulses . We all want to feel good and to avoid feeling bad. Perhaps surprisingly, the Torah fully embraces this principle. The reason why we were created, we are told, is so that we can become receptacles of pleasure. Our only disagreement with other philosophies is regarding the nature of said pleasure. In this Ethics Podcast episode we explore the subject of pursuit of pleasure, both spiritual and physical.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 9, 2023

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Our resources are finite. We must engage in trade-offs, deciding what pursuits to prioritize over others. This, of course, is all well known. But it’s more complicated: by design, we feel drawn to seek out and pursue goals that are potentially harmful and that can overtake your life. Balance is key.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 30, 2023

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The central conflict of our lives orients around our relationship with the physical world in which we currently inhabit: the Torah teaches us that the objective of life is to optimize for the benefit and betterment of the soul, and to prepare for Olam Haba. The Yetzer Hara is engineered to make us believe that improving our standing in this world is what we should strive for. What is the correct balance? How much should we be invested in our standing in this world, and how much should we focus on our pursuit of eternity? In way to wisdom #15...

The oral Torah is vast, comprehensive, and multi-layered. One of its layers is known as Mishnah. What is Mishnah, how was it organized and codified, and why does it prepare us for wisdom? In this Ethics Podcast we learn all about Mishnah and it’s indispensability and power.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 28, 2023

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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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Our works of Scripture are all prophetic, each written with varying degrees of prophecy. When we study Scripture we are encountering the word of God. But what is the objective of the study of Scripture? Why does Scripture pave the way to wisdom? In this Ethics Podcast we discover what Scripture is, how it ought to be studied, and why it primes us for wisdom.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 21, 2023

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Humans are not monolithic. Each one of us is unique and have a unique take on every life situation. The truth is even more granular: even within a single person, there is not uniformity. We are all internally conflicted, sometimes thinking like this and sometimes like that, sometimes feeling like this and sometimes feeling like that, etc. It doesn’t have to be like that. There is a way to reach equilibrium.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 14, 2023

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One of the most rewarding things a person can do is to teach others. But beyond the feeling of gratification that comes with teaching, When you are able to educate and enlighten other people with your knowledge, you learn a lot from the process. Teaching others is a fantastic way to study yourself.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 21, 2023

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Humans are not perfect. Only God is. We are fallible. We are mistake-prone. Yet our mission and mandate is to discover truth. That is achieved, chiefly, via the study of Torah. The Almighty embedded truth and understanding of God in the Torah that He gave to us. But even our pursuit of Torah must be done properly. There are ways to corrupt the study of Torah as well. In this 11th way to wisdom we discover the imperative of gaining the perspectives of others. We cannot do it alone.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the...

Our glorious tradition was perpetuated from generation to generation, from teacher to student, from parent to child, for thousands of years. One of the ways to acquire wisdom is by studying under the tutelage of a great Sage.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 8, 2023

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Our sages tell us that one of the ways to acquire wisdom is with purity. What exactly is purity and why would it be a means through which we can acquire wisdom? In this Ethics Podcast we explore the subject of purity with profound depth.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 20, 2022

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Joy is an underappreciated aspect of the life of a Jew. One can imagine that you can fulfill all of your religious and spiritual obligations without living joyously. Upon examination of the sources we discover that Jewish life is inextricably linked with joy. It is critical and indispensable. In our Mishnah we also learned that it is a means via which we can access Torah wisdom.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 2, 2022

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Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments

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Humility is one of the attributes most associated with acquisition of wisdom. Moses was the humblest of men. Sinai was an unassuming, lowly mountain. But what exactly is humility and why does it correlate with wisdom? In this Ethics podcast we plumb the depths of humility and its association with wisdom.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 26, 2022

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Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with a...

Fear of Heaven is – together with Love of God – one of the two pillars of our spiritual life. Fear of God is one of the central themes of our spiritual and religious life. We are also told that it is a necessary precondition for Torah mastery.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 11, 2022

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Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments

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The next way to acquire Torah is with awe. Specifically, awe for a great Torah sage. Why would a Sage inspire awe? Why would this be a method to acquire Torah? In this fascinating episode we explore the wonderful world of awe-inspiring Torah Sages.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 4, 2022

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Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments

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What happens when you absorb information? How do you process it? The fourth way to develop wisdom talks about the intuition of the heart. The heart is the venue in which we take what we learn, absorb, and encounter and add it to our understanding of the world. Information must not be relegated to the mind alone. What we learn has to change us.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 27, 2022

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The mouth is our superpower. Through it we convey ideas and articulate thoughts. The third way to wisdom is to arrange our lips. This entails using our mouth in a powerful and strategic fashion.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 13, 2022

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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The second way to wisdom is to listen with your ears. In this podcast you will learn about the power of learning via listening. Audio learning is more impactful than visual learning. The Almighty gave us two ears and only one mouth; we have to listen twice as much as we talk.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 25, 2022

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Torah is unlike other intellectual pursuits. Torah is the word of God and it is intended to fundamentally transform a person. It is not just another academic, philosophical, or intellectual discipline, it is a way to upgrade man from beast to angel. This very special Mishnah tells us that Torah needs to be acquired, and there are 48 ways to do it. In this special episode, we outlined the concept of the acquisition of Torah and discuss Way #1: Study.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on

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The Torah scholar plays a significant role in the world. We believe that the reason why the Almighty created the world was for Torah study. We also believe that absent Torah study, the world would cease to exist. The Torah scholar is truly indispensable for the world’s continuity. What ought to be the Torah scholar’s attitudes towards the pursuits that the masses covet: money, power, prestige, honor, distinction? How should those pursuits play into his thinking? In this Mishnah we find the answer given by our Sages.

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Food is delicious and we desire it from the first day that we are alive. How does our pursuit of food – and physical and material indulgences in general – impact our pursuit of our spiritual agenda and Torah? In this Mishnah we discover several approaches to understanding the interrelationship between physical indulgences and pursuit of the most eternally impactful goal: Torah.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 14, 2022

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Torah study is the greatest of pursuits. Consequently, you are eternally indebted to anyone who bestows upon you Torah. In this fascinating Mishnah, we learned about the supreme holiness of Torah and how is forever alters the one who studies it.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 28, 2022

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Studying Torah is the greatest Mitzvah. That is well-known. In this Mishnah, we learn about the perils of neglecting Torah study. Along the way we discover the polarity Jews since Sinai, we discover the secret of Jewish continuity, and we learn all about what Torah is supposed to do to us.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 21, 2022

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What does Torah study do for a person? As an outsider, it looks like a waste of time. What benefit do you gain from studying ancient Jewish wisdom and law? We know, however, the Torah is Godly wisdom. Absorbing Torah upgrades your intellect from human intellect to divine intellect. In this very special Mishnah we learn about a high octane, super powered form of Torah study that begets a cascading series of benefits upon those who engage in it.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 14, 2022

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We believe in reward and punishment. We believe that the Almighty will dispense reward for those who do good and punishment for those whose actions thus warrant. How does the dispensement of reward and punishment work? That, of course, is something that only God knows precisely, and only God can make those evaluations. That said, in this short Mishnah, we are given an insight into the methodology of reward. What we learn will forever change our perspectives.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 24, 2022

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The Torah is the Almighty’s wisdom. Just as the Almighty is infinite, His Torah is likewise infinite. In this remarkable Mishnah, we are trained to view Torah in its proper light. We learn about the multidimensional nature of Torah, how to find answers to all of our questions in the Torah, the secrets and the wisdom inherent in it, and how to relate to Torah study over the course of our lives.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 27, 2021

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What does it take to live a great life? How would such a life be structured? This Mishnah is a masterclass in unpacking the subject. What you are about to enjoy is an exquisite array of insights and ideas on human development, pedagogy and education, how to utilize your brain, and how to design an exceptional life.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 20, 2021

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What forces must we use to try to bring about our life mission? Our mandate is to fulfill the will of the Almighty. He expects great things of us and created us for that purpose. In this thrilling Mishnah, we learned about the various different forces and powers that we must marshal to accomplish our life mission.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 13, 2021

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The founder of our nation was Abraham our patriarch. He was a paragon of faith and kindness, and also exhibited every positive character trait. By contrast, Bilaam the sorcerer was the anti-Abraham. He harbored every negative trait. In this mission we are told that both of these people are teachers. We must choose if we want to be students of Abraham or students of Bilaam.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 6, 2021

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Every mitzvah that we do benefits us for all eternity. Our Sages reveal to us that each Mitzvah creates an advocate who vigorously fights on our behalf and defends us in front of the Heavenly court. Mitzvos are great assets to have. In this podcast, we discover that there is a way to game the system to unlock myriads and boatloads of mitzvos for a relatively inexpensive cost. Listening to this episode will give you an irresistible urge to study, teach, and disseminate Torah. You have been warned.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics...

Argumentation has become a lost art. Our society promotes uniformity and consensus, a monochromatic society where divergent ideas are shunned. This approach is antithetical to Torah. Our religion does not believe that your thinking should be outsourced to others. We do not believe that everyone ought to follow others like a flock of sheep. At Sinai, our Sages tell us, every one of the 600,00 souls present had a unique, tailored revelation. When you disagree with someone, you must not keep quiet and accept positions that we do not agree with. But you have to know how to have an...

Love is a fickle emotion. It is something that changes seemingly randomly. Why is love not fixed in place? What is the secret to enduring love? In this exquisite Mishnah we discover the inner workings of how love works and what determines its stability. We also read a terrifying account of how people’s spiritual standing can change after their demise.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 11, 2021

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There are different types of people in the world. Just as our faces are not identical, our perspectives and abilities and innate qualities differ. Regarding a host of things, our Sages tell us that there are four distinct character types. In this wide-ranging Ethics Podcast we discuss memory tips, how to boost your intelligence, the critical aspects of teaching, a clever tactic of how to handcuff your evil inclination, and much more. This episode will not disappoint!

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 5, 2021

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Anger is a sentiment that we all feel sometimes. What triggers our rage? What does our anger say about us? What is the connection between anger and faith? Why does the Talmud declare that getting angry is tantamount to idolatry? Why does the Talmud foretell that those who get angry are destined for all manner of Gehennom? In this episode, we explore our Sages’ surprising teachings related to anger.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 17, 2021

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In the question of generosity and miserliness, our Mishnah tells us that there are four kinds of people. Interestingly, a group that we would view quite innocuously is labeled as Sodom-like.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 11, 2021

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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In ancient times, our nation benefitted from the service of prophets. The primary responsibility of a prophet was to rebuke and admonish the people when they veered off course from the proper path that the Almighty has planned for them. But what now? Prophecy has been extinct for more than 2300 years. How do we know if the Almighty is displeased with us? In this collection of teachings in the Mishnah we discover the answer. The Almighty still conveys messages to us; not via a prophet but via the things that happen to us and to the people around us.<...

What separates a wise person from someone who has to potential to be a wise person but has not actualized it? In the words of our Sages, such a person who has not cultivated their wisdom is a “Golem”, and there are seven key differences between a Golem and a wise person. In this very valuable Mishnah, we learn about how to debate productively, how to think productively, how to deconstruct positions, and how to develop and hone our analytical and intellectual capabilities.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 28, 2021

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In the final installment of the series of Tens, our Mishnah reveals to us the ten things that were created at twilight of Friday during the week of Genesis. What is the deeper meaning of twilight? What is unique about these seemingly random mix of things that were created then? In this very interesting Mishnah we learn about an ironclad principle of what people today call, “The law of conservation of mass.”

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 23, 2021

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For 800+ years our nation had a Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was a special place. It contained the vessels described in Scripture, it was the site of annual, national pilgrimages, it is where the high priest did the Yom Kippur service each year, it was the epicenter of the nation and it’s rebuilding has been the national yearning of our people for the last 1950 years. The Mishnah tells us that the Temple was grounds for ever-present, ongoing miracles. 10 miracles to be precise. Why was the Temple the place where miracles happened? What is the lesson for us who ha...

Fear of God and Faith in God are both laudable qualities worthy of great people. Both, of course, are mitzvos as well. Which one is loftier? At first glance, fear of God can only be built upon an edifice of faith and thus it would be a loftier level. But when we examine the issue critically, we find something very surprising.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 1, 2021

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Ten is a very significant number in Jewish numerology and philosophy. The previous teachings in this chapter revolve around tens and the present Mishnah teaches that the Exodus was marked by a series of ten miracles for the Jews and ten plagues for the Egyptians whilst in Egypt and ten additional miracles for the Jews and ten additional plagues for the Egyptians at the splitting of the sea. What are these miracles and what is the significance of them happening twice?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 26, 2021

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The story of our forefather Abraham is told in great detail in the Torah. We read about his challenges and triumphs, travails, and travels. The Mishnah calculates that Abraham underwent ten distinct divine tests and succeeded in all of them. What are the nature of these ten tests and what do they portend to us? The answers are surprising and enlightening.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 11, 2021

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Ten generations elapsed both from Adam to Noah and from Noah to Abraham. The trend over those generations was away from God and into idolatry. At the end of each of these groups of ten generations came a great Tzadik. But Noah and Abraham were different classes of a Tzadik and the results are decidedly different. How does the Almighty treat generations of sinners? What opportunities are present for the righteous immersed in a sinful generation? We discover the answers and more in this special edition of The Ethics Podcast.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on...

How important are we? Do we even matter? What difference does it make if I live of die? What difference can one person make in the grand scope of existence? These are tough existential questions that thinking people grapple with. In this thought provoking podcast, we follow the Mishnah in exploring some these advanced questions.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 2, 2021

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What happens after we die? That is a question that fascinates and terrifies us. The future is unknown. It is a mystery, shrouded in uncertainty and dread. Naturally, the human tendency is to try to avoid thinking about those questions too much. In this Mishnah, the subject is ripped open and we learn some very valuable and penetrating insights that can forever shape our live.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 17, 2021

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This Mishnah is perhaps the most famous one in the entire Book of Pirkei Avos. We are told that there are three characteristics that remove a person from the world: Envy, Lust, and Honor. What is not specified is which world is being referenced, or why, exactly, these characteristics are so destructive. In this transformational Ethics podcast, we probe many central questions of Jewish faith and eschatology.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 2, 2020

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How do children learn? How does intelligence and wisdom develop? How do people undergo intellectual and spiritual maturation? In this very powerful set of Mishnayos, we learn why young people why young people are not always ready for prime time, and how ruminating over wisdom transforms a person.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 26, 2020

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Elisha Ben Avuyah was one of the greatest Sages with the potential to being a historic legend of Jewish history on par with Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues. But he went awry. He became a heretic and a sinner and abandoned Torah. Why did he go awry? That question is hotly debated among the Sages. They scoured his life and found all kinds of episodes that caused him to go bad. What is the story of this renegade Sage? Why was his teaching included in Pirkei Avos?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast...

Shmuel HaKattan was one of the legends of Jewish history. The Talmud testifies on him that had his generation been worthy, he would have been a full-fledged prophet. Notwithstanding his generation, Shmuel Hakattan did merit lower grade prophecies in his life. He was commissioned by Rabban Gamliel to compose the blessing against the heretics, a blessing that we recite thrice daily. In his Mishnah we discover that he was not motivated by hatred of the heretics. To the contrary, he loved them and sought their repentance and restoration.

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Who controls a person? That is arguably the most important question there is. As Jews we are trained to adopt the Almighty God as our Master. With the Creator governing our life via His Torah, we are on the correct path to fulfill our life’s duty. But the Talmud reveals that there is an impostor jockeying for that role. The Yetzer Hara is a foreign god seeking to supplant God from within us to to commandeer that post. Once the foreign god is sitting on the throne within us, its directives will b e obeyed with religious zeal an...

We all recognize that we will eventually die. Each of us know that there will come a point in time where our body and Soul separate and go their own way. The body will return to its origin, the dust, and the Soul will return to its Heavenly roots. What happens to our Soul in Heaven is certainly a tantalizing question. In this Mishnah we learn about Olam Haba, the Next world, commonly called the Afterlife. What is the Afterlife? Why is it worth preparing for? What can I do to ensure that I am included in the invite-list...

The author of this Mishnah served as the rabbi of Rome. While all his colleagues were coalesced together in the great Torah centers of Israel, Rabbi Masya Ben Charash led the small community and academy in the epicenter of impurity. How he got there is certainly a tantalizing question. In this teaching he guides us in making career choices, ensuring relationship harmony, and how to be a pleasant amiable person.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 6, 2020

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Rabbi Elazar Ben Aruch was the most promising student of Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai. Unfortunately, his potential was not actualized, and in fact he forgot his Torah. In this autobiographical Mishnah, he shares with us the reason why his greatness did not pan out.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 24, 2020

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The blissful existence of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous raise difficult questions for the believer: If God is in total control of all that transpires, why would He cause pain to those who obey His words and reward those who neglect them? In this pithy mishnah we learn that the classical reconciliation of this problem may leave us wanting.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 30, 2020

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In our most ideal state, the Jewish Nation is described as “A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation.” We are all Kings! The Talmud teaches that in Olam Haba, all the righteous who merit an invitation will be adorned with a resplendent crown atop their heads, and be basking in the pleasure of God. In this Mishnah we discover the nature of those crowns.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 15, 2020

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Accidents happen. Generally speaking, the Torah overlooks things that happen unintentionally. If someone accidentally sins, the Almighty forgives him. Yet the Mishnah teaches that an accident in Torah study is tantamount to a willful, negligent blunder. Why are matters of Torah treated so harshly?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 9, 2020

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How ought we treat subordinates, peers, and superiors? In this intriguing Mishnah we learn that we tend to undervalue others and consequently accord them insufficient honor, and must correct that by always upgrading the honor and respect for all of our relationships.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 25, 2020

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The Sages of yore were absolute Torah giants, of course, but many also balanced their scholastic responsibilities with earning a livelihood. Our particular Mishnah is the brainchild of Rabbi Yochanan HaSandler, Rabbi Yochanan the Shoemaker. In this pithy teaching, he differentiates between assemblies convened for the sake of Heaven and those bound for failure.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 20, 2020

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What are the consequences of our behavior? What difference does it make if someone does a mitzvah or a sin? In this landmark teaching in Pirkei Avos we learn that our actions truly matter. We have the opportunity to make breaking news in Heaven. What Heavenly Headline will we write?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 11, 2020

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Rabbi Meir is one of the most significant personalities in Jewish history. He was one of the five surviving students of Rabbi Akiva, and the one whose notes were used as the basis for the Mishnah. In this seminal teaching, he guides us on how to harmonize Torah study and making a livelihood and informs us of the great, eternal benefits of making Torah the central priority of our lives.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 5, 2020

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Which is a greater inhibitor of Torah study, being rich or being poor? You would imagine that both conditions would distract someone from dedicating their time to Torah study. In this Mishnah we find an answer to this question and consequently a way for someone to achieve a rags-to-riches turnaround thanks to committed Torah study.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 29, 2020

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Justice is one of the three things that perpetuate the world. But should one strive to be a judge? In this very interesting Mishnah, the brainchild of a fascinating Sage, we discover that a person ought to be highly reticent in avoiding serving as a judge.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 16, 2020

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Rabbi Yose was one of the most important and prolific Jewish figures of the 2nd Century. There are literally hundreds of stories and teachings of his in the Talmud and Midrash, but his tenure coincided with one of the most treacherous times in Jewish history: The Hadrianic persecutions

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 3, 2020

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Our nation is blessed to be privy to the Almighty’s Torah. Those who immerse themselves in the Torah’s vast seas are the choicest and most admirable people of our nation. What benefits do they deserve? Is it OK for them to cash in on their Torah prowess? Should they demand honor for their Torah accomplishments?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 17, 2020

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What does it take to teach Torah effectively? What are the immense benefits of studying Torah with great diligence? What are the different modes of Torah study and what are the different benefits? In this deceptively simple Mishnah we learn about the power of commitment to Torah study, Torah teaching, and allowing Torah to influence you completely.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 3, 2020

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If our life’s mission would be distilled down to one idea it would be Kiddush Hashem (Sanctification of God’s Name). The opposite of Kiddush Hashem is Chilul Hashem (Desecration of God’s Name). Due to the gravity of these concepts, they are treated differently.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 17, 2019

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My wise grandmother, of blessed memory, used to quip, “Everything in moderation.” That sagacious advice is, in fact, the backbone of Rambam’s understanding of proper character. In every trait, there are two polar extremes, and both are not ideal. The balanced approach, the golden medium, the moderate middle, the midpoint between both extremes – that is the sweet spot to strive for. But there is one exception. There is one character trait that is so harmful and dangerous, that extreme measures are necessary.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 26, 2019

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How valuable is an hour of time? How much of a person’s life can be changed in one hour? In this mishna, Ben Azzai teaches us the power of a single hour.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 18, 2019

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Something dramatic happens when the Soul is fed. It is empowered and its place in a person’s identity is augmented, and concurrently the Yetzer Hara’s influence is weakened. A virtuous cycle results wherein one Mitzvah makes the second Mitzvah more likely. Initially, the Mitzvos need to be force-fed like feeding a patient who refuses food. The earlier Mitzvos create a medicine-like transformation because by feeding the Soul, it captures a larger share of his identity and its needs become a bit more instinctual leading man to naturally desire more Mitzvos, and be drawn to them with magnetic attr...

Does it make sense to take pride in one’s intellect, fitness, or wealth? Our Sages teach us that those things are determined before someone is born, and therefore it would be ludicrous for us to take pride in what was given to us by God. But in a seminal teaching, Ben Zoma reveals that there is a version of wealth, might, and wisdom that is our’s and worthy of pride!

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Sep 8, 2019

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What is the relationship between Torah and secular disciplines such as astronomy mathematics? In a pithy and cryptic teaching, Rabbi Elazar Chisma – a Sage who excelled in both – offers an insightful perspective.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Sep 1, 2019

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Torah is unlike any other discipline. Every other discipline can be acquired without preconditions; Torah can only be unlocked by someone who has successfully primed himself for that lofty status. In this Mishnah, Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariah instructs us on what is needed before Torah can flourish within us.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 18, 2019

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In his fourth and final teaching, Rabbi Akiva shares a powerful and serious parable that is designed to shake us up and take life seriously but also contains the undertones of a very inspirational and comforting message.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 16, 2019

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In an astonishingly profound teaching, Rabbi Akiva informs us of the special role that humans have in completing the objective of the Almighty’s creation; and the amplified role that our nation has in effectuating that; and the tools that we were given to achieve that goal.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 27, 2019

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Rabbi Akiva is one of the titanic figures of the Mishnaic Era. He served as the vital link transmitting the Torah that he studied from his predecessors to his students amid ceaseless oppression under the Romans. In the first of three consecutive Mishnas authored by Rabbi Akiva, we learn the keys to avoiding catastrophic promiscuity, getting and staying rich, achieving wisdom, preserving Torah, and more.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 19, 2019

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Rabbi Yishmael was the scion of one of the most prestigious families of our nation and a titanic Sage of the Mishnaic Era. In this podcast we share several of the fascinating stories about his fruitful and sometimes tragic life and explore the connection between those episodes and his teaching in Pirkei Avos.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 28, 2019

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Rabbi Elazar from Modi’in shares a list of five very different things that disqualify its doer from Olam Haba. What is the connection between these five things and why would one who does them be locked out of eternity?

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 3, 2019

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What are we living for? How ought we allocate our time? In this striking teaching we learn the difference between the facilitatory and things which are end goals.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 24, 2019

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Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa was a legendary Sage who lived towards the end of the Second Temple, and the Talmud relates many miraculous and inspirational stories about him. In this podcast we share some of those amazing stories, and connect them to his crucial life-instructional teaching.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 3, 2019

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We put much focus on Torah study and Torah acquisition, and in this mishnah we learn about the other half of Torah greatness: Torah retention, which can only be accomplished by rigorous disciplined review.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 27, 2019

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In an unusually sharp statement, our Sages inform us of the severity of neglecting Torah study. The flip side is also true: Torah study is unfathomably valuable.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 20, 2019

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Why do we give charity? Is there a cap of 20% to how much we can give? In this mishna we learn about a striking rationale for charity, answer these questions, and contrast the two types of givers.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 13, 2019

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In Jewish literature, Torah is called the Word of God. In this mishna we learn about its ability to bridge the gap between man and his Creator.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 7, 2019

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What rules govern what happens in our lives? In this mishna we find that there are really three different realms, and that it is possible to upgrade the plane on which we operate.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 19, 2018

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Rabbi Chananya ben Chakhinai says: One who stays awake at night, and one who wanders on a road alone, and turns his heart to idleness, behold he is liable with his life.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 25, 2018

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In successive teachings, our Sages share with us a way to usher ourselves into the Presence of the Almighty. It really is that simple.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 18, 2018

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What would happen without a police force to maintain law and order? Is there any other way to prevent society from crumbling without police power? These are the questions we explore in the somewhat unsettling second mishna of chapter 3.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 4, 2018

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It is not often that our Sages offer us any kind of fail-safe formula. In the first mishna of the third chapter, Akaviah Ben Mehalalel provides for us a guaranteed method to avoid sinning. It is a good idea to listen carefully to his words.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 28, 2018

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There are many excuses to shirk our spiritual responsibilities. In the final two mishnayos of Chapter 2, Rabbi Tarfon rebuts them one by one.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 21, 2018

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Rabbi Elazar Ben Arach was the prized student of Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai, but he chose to chart his own path in life and not to join the rest of his colleagues in Yavneh.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 14, 2018

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What is the optimal relationship between man and God? How is man supposed to view himself?  These questions and several others are addressed in Chapter 2, Mishna 18 of Pirkei Avos.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 7, 2018

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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In a short, succinct Mishna, Rabbi Yose shares timeless lessons regarding the proper way to treat other people’s money, how Torah greatness is a meritocracy, and perhaps the most central insight of Jewish spirituality.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Sep 17...

Please support the Ethics Podcast by donating to our annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org

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Every donation is DOUBLED!

Support the Ethics Podcast by visiting giveTORCH.org right now and making a generous donation!

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This mishna marks the first of three times in Pirkei Avos where the phrase “is removed from the world” is assigned to people who exhibit certain attitudes or behaviors. In this podcast we suggest a novel approach to explain that term.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released o...

In this Mishna, one of the most fascinating characters of the Mishnaic era teaches eternal lessons on how to deploy anger properly and how to ensure that our spiritual affairs are in order before we meet our Creator.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 20, 2018

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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