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Beyond Never Again - How the Holocaust Speaks to Us Today |
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Explore the ways in which the
Holocaust continues to affect our generation and colors what it means to live
as a Jew today. The Holocaust forces us to grapple
with the existence of evil and suffering. It challenges us to find faith and
optimism in the face of devastation and despair. And it humbles us as we
encounter heroes of the spirit who fought for truth and decency in the
darkest of times. Course Overview Lesson 1 http://www.friendsofchabad.info/WrestlingWithG-d.mp3 The Voice of Your Brother’s Blood Cries Out The universal message of the
Holocaust emerges from the appreciation of its particulars. We cannot begin
to fathom what was lost unless we are able to hear individual stories, and
see the specific impact of the Holocaust on Jews and Jewish life. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheVoiceOfYourBrothersBloodCriesOut.mp3 In Their
Deaths They Were Not Parted
What is the purpose of life, and
what purposes make life worth living? Why are all those who died in the
Holocaust considered holy martyrs, and how does our memory of them affect the
way we live our lives today? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/InTheirDeathsTheyWereNotParted.mp3 Out of
the Depths I Call to You
While we cannot always know “why”
something happens, we can learn to use every experience as a catalyst for
positive transformation. Faith is not a crutch for the weak, but the
framework of life for the strong. Trust in G-d is not born of simplistic
denial of harsh reality, but of profound humility in the presence of the
Divine plan. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/OutofTheDepthsICallToYou.mp3 A
Tree of Life to Those Who Cling to It
Many who lived through the
Holocaust continued to turn to Halachah (Jewish
Torah law) for guidance. It served as a source of comfort and solace, a
spiritual anchor and moral compass in a world gone mad. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/ATreeOfLifeToThoseWhoClingToIt.mp3 When
Night Will Shine Like Day
What can we expect of humanity
after the Holocaust? How could the most advanced society on earth fall prey
to moral bankruptcy? And what made thousands sacrifice their lives to save
others? How can we retain faith in the future of the universe—and what we can
we do to ensure a brighter tomorrow? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/WhenNightWillShineLikeDay.wav |
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Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living |
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Do you find yourself caught amidst trying times, uncertain
about your future? Course Overview
To say Hillel was humble would be an understatement. But to call him a pushover would be a lie. Meet the man who had patience and respect for those who seemed to least deserve it.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LessonOneTheFacilitator.mp3
You could call him a revolutionary, but it wasn’t the government he overthrew — it was his own teachers and colleagues. Courageous in the face of criticism, Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakai daringly proposed a solution that no one else dared consider.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LessonTwoTheNegotiator.mp3
He was willing to sacrifice everything in his life except truth. The loss of influence, esteem, and position could not force him to bend. Rabbi Eliezer was willing to endure loneliness, but found solace in his own absolute integrity.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LessonThreeTheIndependant.mp3
Here was a man who should have called it quits before he started. But, buoyed by the encouragement of Rachel, his wife, Rabbi Akiva showed the tenacity and resilience to build and rebuild again. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LessonFourTheOptimists.mp3
A maverick who refused to toe the
party line, his brilliance was matched only by that of his wife, Beruriah. Maintaining contacts in places that others
dared not go, Rabbi Meir earned the trust of those who could admire him but
could never really understand him. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LessonFiveTheIconoclasts.mp3
He did not wait for crisis to force his hand. Creating alliances
and carefully cultivating friendships, http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LessonSixTheVisionary.mp3
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SoulQuest The Journey, Through Life, Death, and Beyond To talk about death, we first have to talk about life, and the soul that is the source of life. In this lesson, we examine the classic sources to develop the idea of the soul and its properties, and examine the purpose of the soul in this world. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/MeetThePilot.mp3
Lesson Two: We establish the soul as the "real self," eternal in its existence. We look at the origin of the soul and the manner in which it prepares for its descent into the world, as well as Jewish customs of pregnancy and birth designed to aid the soul in its transition.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/BeforeYouWereBorn.mp3
Lesson Three: In this lesson, we examine death from the perspective of the soul. We look at the Jewish customs of death that aid the soul in its transition out of the physical world. We talk about Gan Eden, the pleasure the soul receives as a result of its positive actions in this world, as well as the process of Gehinom that is meant to cleanse the soul so that it can reunite with its source. The lesson also addresses the ultimate state of the soul when it returns to this world during the era of the Resurrection of the Dead.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/DeathAndBeyond.mp3
Lesson Four: The soul usually requires many lifetimes to complete its mission. Each lifetime adds to the experience of the soul so that currently we are able to draw upon the lessons of previous lifetimes. This knowledge allows us navigate our life and mission with greater hope and confidence. We will also consider the lives of famous Jewish personalities, and see how the mystics have explained the events of their lives through the lens of their past lives.
Once a soul has left this world, despite its exalted spiritual place, it can no longer perform mitzvot, and we become the hands and feet of the departed. Our actions here cause great delight for the souls above. This lesson discusses the customs of Kaddish, Yahrtzeit, Yizkor, and visiting the grave. It also discusses the ways that departed souls may communicate with us, and pray or intercede on our behalf. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/EternalBond.mp3
Lesson Six: By understanding the different stages of the soul's journey, we can live our own lives more fully. Each day is, in fact, a microcosm of the soul's journey, and the current moment is pivotal in launching us towards a fuller future. If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it? And why aren't you living as if today were your last day? We end our course with a morning meditation to inspire you to make the most of each day. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TowardAMoreMeaningfulLife.mp3
The High Holidays COURSE DESCRIPTION Class #1 - Rosh Hashanah: The Hidden Holiday It’s common knowledge that with the exception of Yom Kippur, more Jews attend synagogue on Rosh HaShanah then on any other day of the year. Unfortunately relatively few of us are even casually familiar with the holiday’s many layers of meaning, nor are most of us familiar with the holiday’s background in the Torah. Every other Yom Tov has a story. Each holiday commemorates a drama that played out in history. But what is the story of Rosh HaShanah? Does it have one at all? In this class you will discover that Rosh HaShanah is a holiday that is “hidden” in the Torah, and we intend in this class to reveal some of its secrets. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/RoshHaShanah.mp3 Class #2 – Yom Kippur: The Day Made For Atonement Twenty-four hours straight of fasting and penitence is not most peoples idea of a good time. Nevertheless, the Talmud informs us that Yom Kippur is one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar because it is the Day of Atonement. This certainly is an occasion for celebration. But how, really, is this achieved? Is it just saying: “I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again?” Or is it something more? In this class we will explore the concept of atonement in depth, and learn why, on Yom Kippur, the deepest part of every Jew has an appointment with the deepest part of HaShem. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/YomKippur.mp3 Class#3 – Sukkot: From Judgment to Celebration The Hebrew month of Tishrei is a spiritual roller-coaster ride. Between the introspection and soul-searching of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur and the singing and dancing of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, there is not much time left for anything else. While Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur have very specific reasons for taking place during Tishrei, Sukkot, doesn’t seem to have any business being in Tishrei at all. Sukkot has no clear Biblical link with either the High Holidays or the month of Tishrei. In this class you will see why, if we delve deeper into the meaning of Sukkot and its symbols, it becomes clear that Sukkot is really a continuation of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Sukkot.mp3
Biblical Reflections: Find Yourself in the Stories of the Bible COURSE DESCRIPTION Everybody loves a good story. A good story takes hold of the imagination and provides a window into the human soul. The stories of the book of Genesis are the oldest stories in the world, yet they continue to inspire countless retellings and adaptations. They retain their power because they deal with the most powerful of human motives: the quests for love, purpose, identity, and redemption. They also explore the inner obstacles that threaten these goals: lust, greed, hatred and jealousy. When you explore these stories, you will identify with characters who grapple with the feelings and dilemmas that are at the heart of the human experience. You will see how their stories are also the stories of YOUR life, reflecting your joy and your pain, your struggles and your victories. And you will learn how the Torah’s eternal values provide insight that helps you respond more thoughtfully as you face critical moments of your own. COURSE SYLLABUS All cultures have creation stories to describe how we got here. But the Torah tells us about our creation to let us know what we are here for. By examining the idyllic nature of the garden of Eden, we can better understand the special purpose for which man and woman were created. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson1EastOfEden.mp3
Is it possible that being good is overrated? The serpent made the case for evil and managed to convince Eve that there were real benefits to disobeying G-d's commands. This lesson delves into the very essence of evil - its purpose, its possibilities, and its pitfalls. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson2HeartOfDarkness.mp3
Lesson
Three Can we ever reclaim innocence? In a few short moments, Adam and Eve destroyed a perfect world and were immediately wracked with shame and regret. Then Adam and Eve were taught about repentance and its ability to transform and redeem. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson3ParadiseLostAndFound.mp3
Lesson Four Cain and Abel responded to the catastrophe of the expulsion
from http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson4DeathInTheFamily.mp3
The generation of the flood is a story of a wealthy, technologically advanced society that was so evil that it had to be washed away. How are we able to better guard against the evils bred by material excess? In this lesson, we consider why societies are destroyed, and how they may be rehabilitated. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson5BraveNewWorld.mp3
Lesson Six http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson6TheOldManAndTheSea.mp3
Noah, in spite of his righteousness, was not able to influence others. Yet Abraham taught a world of idolworshipers to believe in G-d. Why did Abraham succeed where Noah failed? And how can we embrace the legacy of our father Abraham, leading those around us to seek goodness and truth? |
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You Be the Judge II: An Exhilarating New Exploration of Jewish Civil Law
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Do you enjoy puzzles and problem-solving? Do you love the give-and-take of thoughtful discussion? Can you use logic and creativity to work your way out of challenging situations? Then this course is for you.
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute’s groundbreaking course, You Be The Judge, presented real cases brought before the beit din, the court system of Jewish Law. We provided the primary texts from the Talmud and asked our students to grapple with the facts in order to arrive at satisfying solutions.
This February, JLI is proud to present You Be The Judge II, a collection of six totally new cases. You need no prior knowledge of the Talmud and no formal legal training. There are no prerequisites other than an open mind.
If you missed You Be The Judge I, we invite you to experience for yourself the exhilarating mental exploration that characterizes traditional Talmud study. And if you took our previous course, be sure not to miss this exciting sequel.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Lesson 1: Inheriting the Fruits of Sin
Can murderers inherit from their victims? This lesson compares the approaches of Jewish and secular law to this audacious claim.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson1InheritingTheFruitsOfSin.mp3
Lesson 2: The Accidental Treasure
Your contractor demolishes a bathroom wall and discovers a rusting lockbox containing cash. Who gets to enjoy this unexpected windfall?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson2TheAccidentalTreasure.mp3
What happens if two people lay claim to the same object but have no witnesses or documents to bolster their claim? Is possession always nine tenths of the law?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson3BurdenOfProof.mp3
Lesson 4: The Neighbor Advantage
Jewish law dictates that when a property is sold, the neighbors must be given the first option of purchase? Must one sell to a neighbor if there is a higher bidder?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson4TheNeighborAdvantage.mp3
Employees are accorded certain rights and protections that are not granted to independent contractors. But just who is considered an employee?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson5TheTaskmaster.mp3
If your neighbor’s son mows your laws without
asking you first, is he entitled to compensation? How about someone who
decides on his own to pay your debts?
What do you owe a do-gooder?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Lesson6TheDo-Gooder.mp3
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Talmudic Ethics: Finding Your Way to Good Decisions A parent in the Holocaust struggles to decide whether to ransom his son from certain death, because he knows that the guard will seize another Jewish boy in his son's stead. Explore under what circumstances people may protect their own interests first, and when they must sacrifice themselves rather than bringing harm to another. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/MyBrotherMySelf.wav
Families facing the imminent death of a loved one grapple to make end-of-life decisions that impart the final moments with dignity and respect. They wonder when medical intervention is morally required, and when it is excessively intrusive. Must life be preserved at all costs, or can it be permitted to gracefully ebb away? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheEbbingFlame.wav
A woman must decide whether to abort a fetus so that she can provide a marrow transplant for her dying sister. How can we balance the interests of the yet unborn fetus with the interests of those who have already entered this life? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheRightToLife.wav
What happens when a playwright portrays a public figure in a negative light? Can the playwright be sued for slander and character defamation? Is there special protection accorded artists so that they may be free to create? Are their artistic statements held to different standards than assertions made in the press or in the context of regular public discourse? Or are all people equally accountable for their hurtful words? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/WordsThatWound.wav
Lesson 5 When truth and justice conflict, which value takes primacy? May a lawyer lie or withhold knowledge in order to ensure a just outcome? Must one trust that the system will ensure an appropriate outcome, or is it the responsibility of those in the legal profession to bend the rules so that a fair outcome is reached? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheTruththeWholeTruthandNothingButtheTruth.wav
Lesson 6 Both Jewish and secular legal systems have rules outlawing unfair competition, or "encroaching on another's boundaries." In the modern world, the boundaries of these rules are tested by considering the degree to which ones thoughts are protected. Can one own an idea? Are patents and copyrights concepts that are recognized by Jewish law? See how ancient cases can have some surprisingly modern applications. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/PennyForYourThoughts.wav
Beyond Belief: Reflections on Jewish Faith, Reason, and Experience
Is faith blind? In the Jewish sense, faith is less an act of unquestioning belief than an act of faithfulness, integrity, and trust. Rambam's principles are the thirteen "big ideas" that form the basis of our powerful bond with G-d. In our first lesson, we examine the principle of G-d's omniscience, a worldview that contrasts starkly with the Greek belief that G-d created the world and then left it to its own devices. This principle lays the groundwork for a personal and intimate relationship with G-d. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/BeyondBelief.wav
Why do we need prophets? How does one become a prophet? How does it feel to receive prophecy? How can we distinguish real prophets from false prophets? Are there prophets today? Prophecy is a realm that seems to us almost surreal, magical, beyond our experience. And yet Rambam identified prophecy as a critical linchpin of our faith. Examine the critical role of prophecy in a world in which G-d communicates with His creation. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/HearingTheVoice.wav
What are the implications of views the Torah is an unchanging eternal text? What would be different if we thought of it as a flexible evolving document that retained its central core but was adaptable in its details? This lesson describes an understanding of Torah as much more than a holy book. It is the spiritual DNA of our souls and our universe, an unchanging and unchangeable code that defines who we are and what we are meant to become.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/UniversalCode.wav
Rambam describes G-d not first as Creator of the Universe, but as a personal G-d and Redeemer. We will discover that the first four principles are not meant to describe the "how" of creation, but the "why" of creation. Our understanding of the nature of G-d is a logical outgrowth of our reflection about the purpose of our being. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/KnowingG-d.wav
In Lesson Two, we saw that G-d speaks to us through the prophets, but can we also speak to G-d? What can we learn about ourselves from the way in which we choose to pray? How does G-d respond to our actions and our words? Do we have to wait till after we die to find our eternal reward? Or can we find heaven (and hell) on earth? In this lesson, we examine prayer as a form of self-assessment, as well as G-d's reward and punishment of our actions. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/SeekingHeaven.wav
What is G-d's ultimate vision for His creation? Where are we headed? And how does our concept of a perfect world affect the way we live our lives today? In this lesson we examine the Jewish beliefs of Mashiach and the resurrection of the dead, and how these ideas critically inform our present. http://www.friendsofchabad.info/PerfectWorld.wav
The Land and the Spirit: Why We All Care About Israel |
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In the book of Genesis, G-d promises Abraham that if he transmits his legacy of ethical monotheism to his household, his children will inherit the Land of Israel. Why was the land promised even before the nation existed? In what way is the Land of Israel integral to the Jewish mission? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/ThePromisedLand.wav
What was life like for the people in Israel in the days when the Temple stood? So many of the commandments can only be performed in the Land of Israel and are intimately linked with an agrarian lifestyle. Why must a spiritual people be involved with working the land? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LivingOnTheLand.wav
What does it mean for a land to be holy? How can we tell that it is different? And what implications does this have for the people living within that land? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheHolyLand.wav
Lesson Four Israel has endured numerous battles and conquests throughout history. How can we determine who has a legitimate claim to the land? What criteria shall we use to determine ownership? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/WhoseLandIsItAnyway.wav
Lesson Five What is the vision for a Jewish state? Is it meant to be a land like other lands, granting the sovereignty enjoyed by other people? Or are we meant to be somehow different? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/ALandLikeOtherLands.wav
Lesson Six Even though Israel exists today as a modern state, most Jews continue to live in the Diaspora. Have those of us living outside Israel become somehow disconnected? Or is it possible to retain our bond with Israel regardless of our place of residence? http://www.friendsofchabad.info/IsraelandTheDiaspora.wav
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Flashbacks In Jewish History: How our past informs our future
UNIT 1
ANCIENT STRUGGLES WITH MODERN MESSAGES:
ENCOUNTERS OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
Lesson 1
Cultures in Collision: Israel vs. Greece and Rome
In their day, both Greece and Rome were world powers determined to assimilate ancient Israel into their respective empires. The Greeks valued culture and aesthetics: they brought to the world their versions of athletics, philosophy, poetry, art, and intellectual inquiry. The Romans esteemed organizational efficiency, technology, and brute power. Yet the Jews managed to stand apart, resisting the temptation to trade their faith for the attractions of an outside culture. In this lesson, we examine the source of their inner strength.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/CulturesInCollisionIsraelvsGreeceAndRome.wav
UNIT 2
RISING STARS, WANING CRESCENTS:
ENCOUNTERS WITH MEDIEVAL ISLAM IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND SPAIN
Lesson 2
Far From the Place That We Call Home: Jewish Exile and Dispersal in the
Middle East
After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Jews were left without a centralized government or a country of their own. Yet under the benign rule of Babylonia, the Jews made Torah study the new epicenter of Jewish life. Twice yearly, Jews gathered at the great Babylonian academies to discuss a pre-assigned tractate. The Talmud was recorded during this intellectually fruitful period of time. In this lesson, we reflect on the role of shared study in uniting a far-flung people.
Lesson 3
All That Glitters: The Golden Age in Moslem Spain
In this lesson, we note the start of the decentralization of Jewish life, with communities of Jews establishing their own traditions and religious leadership. Our class focuses on the Golden Age in Moslem Spain, a period marked by relative prosperity and religious tolerance. Many Spanish Jews became well integrated into the surrounding society, contributing as scientists, statesmen, and poets. But when the fanatical Almohads swept through Spain, waging war against all who did not share their faith, this glorious period of cultural interchange was brought to an end. As the Middle East grapples with the struggle between moderate and radical Islamic factions, this period in history resonates anew.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/ AllThatGlittersTheGoldenAgeinMoslemSpain.wav
UNIT 3
PREVAILING DESPITE HATE AND OPPRESSION:
ENCOUNTERS WITH MEDIEVAL CHRISTIAN EUROPE
Lesson 4
Rivers of Blood: Antisemitism in Medieval
Christian Europe
European antisemitism of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries has its roots in medieval Christian Europe. In this lesson, we examine the role of the Church in inciting the hatred of the populace. Whole communities were wiped out during the Crusades, and discriminatory edicts were the rule rather than the exception. Another expression of hatred was the public burnings of the Talmud. Yet Jews remained devout and found comfort and solace in their faith. Among the Torah giants inspiring the Jews through these dark times were Rashi and the Tosafists.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/RiversofBloodAntisemitisminMedievalChristianEurope.wav
Lesson 5
In the Shadow of the Inquisition: The
Downfall of Spanish Jewry
In response to Christian oppression and antisemitism, many Spanish Jews chose conversion as a means to protect their standing in society. The consequences of this widespread choice were devastating, leading to the horrors of the Inquisition, and ultimately, the end of Jewish settlement in Spain. Yet even those who succumbed to the temptation to assimilate into Spanish society exhibited remarkable tenacity at their core.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/IntheShadowoftheInquisitionTheDownfallofSpanishJewry.wav
Lesson 6
Rising from the Ashes: The Renewal of European Jewry
The expulsion of Spain dealt a devastating blow to Sephardic Jewry, comparable to what the Holocaust would later mean for Ashkenazic Jewry. Eventually, the exiles found new homes in Turkey, Holland, Greece, and the Holy Land. During the aftermath of the expulsion, Jews found new strength within their tradition for making sense of the suffering and loss they had endured. The mystics in Safed taught Kabbalah, and introduced many spiritual practices emphasizing hope for redemption that endure to this day. The forerunner of the modern yeshivah, or house of study, was born. In spite of the irreplaceable losses they had sustained, the Jewish people emerged from the medieval era to experience a renaissance of Jewish life.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/RisingfromtheAshesTheRenewalofEuropeanJewry.wav
The Kabbalah of Character
You are unlike any person who has ever lived
before. How can you make the most of the gifts you have been given?
The Kabbalah of Character, a new and expanded
revision of our popular course "Soul Powers," is designed to
help you understand the unique mix of qualities that define your
individuality. Drawing on the organizational structure of the Kabbalah, this course examines the nature of the human soul
created in the image of G-d.
The Kabbalah of
Character is not a quick-fix. You won’t learn
how to become a perfect person in eight easy lessons. But you will learn
strategies for making changes that are lasting and real. Authored by Rabbi
Moshe Miller, noted scholar of Kabbalah, the course
invites you to choose from among a wealth of reflective approaches to chart
your own path to personal growth. It includes wisdom to amaze you and stories
to inspire you, as well as journal exercises and practical tools to help you
apply the lessons to your own life.
So spend eight weeks learning the secrets that will help you unlock your inner
potential.
Because you won’t know what you can be until you hold a mirror to your soul.
Lesson 1
Living on Purpose.
What
is your reason for being, and what can you
do about it?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LivingOnPurpose.wav
Lesson 2
Potential Energy.
How do self-perception, inspiration, and
motivation impact what you can become?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/PotentialEnergy.wav
Lesson 3
The Joystick.
Bring joy into your life, and steer your way to
positive change.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheJoystick.wav
Lesson
4
Learning to Love.
Learn a new definition of love, and increase its
presence in your life.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/LearningToLove.wav
Lesson
5
Critical Care.
Criticism can build or destroy. Find out how to
appraise yourself and others in ways that will lead to improvement.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/CriticalCare.wav
Lesson 6
The Fall of the Wall.
When both internal and external barriers to
growth are removed, anything is possible.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheFallofTheWall.wav
Lesson 7
Me-Harmony, We-Harmony.
Explore strategies for developing long-
lasting and meaningful personal relationships.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Me-HarmonyWe-Harmony.wav
Lesson 8
Think Globally, Act Locally.
Translate your vision for the world
into personal action.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/ThinkGloballyActLocally.wav
You be the Judge
Right click on the links below to download the recording of the lessons by Rabbi Rivkin
Right click and Choose “Save Target As…”
Left Click on them to listen
If you are hired to give an inflated property assessment, and then are not paid for the service you performed, can you collect in court? In this lesson, we examine the enforceability of immoral contracts.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/HonorAmoungThieves.wav
What happens when objects are abandoned for long periods of time or are unavailable due to the ravages of war? Are there circumstances under which people, against their will, can lose the right to their property?
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/FindersKeepers.wav
What happens if you lose a piece of costume jewelry that you agreed to watch over and it turns out to be real? How much liability do you assume for loss incurred because of negligence or willful destruction of an object that turns out to be worth more than expected?
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/WhenGlitterTurnsOutToBeGold.wav
Is it fair to do business using your neighbor’s cow? May you sublet your apartment for more than you pay in rent? How do we distinguish creative opportunity from crass opportunism
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/Theparasite.wav
What happens if under gun point, you deliver the property of your neighbor to robbers? Do you have to compensate your neighbor? We examine a real case, stemming from the Holocaust, in which this issue had to be addressed.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/YourMoneyorMyLife.wav
If two people lay claim to an object, how can we decide who is right? Upon whom does the burden of proof fall, and what kind of evidence will the court require?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/BurdensofProof.wav
From Sinai to Cyberspace
Right click on the links below to download the recording of the lessons by Rabbi Rivkin
Right click and Choose “Save Target As…”
Left Click on them to listen
1. The Bible and Beyond
No
written text is sufficient to serve as a definitive guide to practice. In this
lesson we discuss why understanding the Torah requires the presence of an oral
tradition.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/TheBibleandBeyond.wav
2. Isn’t the Bible Enough?
Why
is it necessary for G-d to transmit his message through a system of law that is
both written and oral? We will see that this system ensures structure and
clarity on the one hand, richness and flexible adaptation on the other.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/IsntTheBibleEnough.wav
3. Mouth to Mouth
In
this lesson we explore the various categories of oral tradition: textual
meaning, information that goes beyond the text, and rabbinic innovation.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/MouthToMouth.wav
4. Point and Counterpoint
Torah
makes room for authentic exploration and debate. This lesson discusses the
rules for Jewish argument, and the system whereby disagreements are resolved.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/PointandCounterpoint.wav
5. Power of the People
The
Torah assigns rabbis the right to innovate and introduce new laws within preset
parameters. It expects humans to partner with G-d in creating a holy and
ethical society.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/PowerofThepeople.wav
6. The More Things Change, the More They
Stay the Same
(Plus
ca Change, Plus C'est La Meme Chose.)
Discover
how unchanging truth guides a changing world, and how an ancient system can
address unprecedented circumstances.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/TheMoreThingsChange.....wav
7. Pardes: Torah’s
Multiple Perspectives
The
text of Torah is rich, vibrant, and colorful, a veritable garden of meaning.
Tradition identifies different approaches to reading the text to help us
explore its many dimensions.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/Pardes.wav
8. How Do We Know That the Torah is True?
It’s
not only faith - we have reason to believe. History, archaeology, and the
philosophy of science provide methodologies that underscore the logical
foundation of our belief in the absolute truth of the Torah.
http://www.friendsofChabad.info/how do we know the torah is true.wav
The Kabalah of Time
Right click on the links below to download the recording of the lessons by Rabbi Rivkin
Right click and Choose “Save Target As…”
Left Click on them to listen
The Seven-Day Week
Why is our time divided into cycles of seven days, and how can we use the
week's template to develop ourselves and our relationship with G-d?
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/TheSeven-DayWeek.wav
Meeting the Shabbat Queen
From the joyous welcome late Friday afternoon, to the poignant farewell on
Saturday night, Shabbat is a time when we greet royalty in our homes.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/MeetingTheShabbatQueen.wav
Sun and Moon
The
Jewish calendar carefully balances the cycles of the sun with the renewal of
the moon, and teaches us how to balance consistency and change in our lives.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/SunAndMoon.wav
Proclaiming Holidays
We
are granted the power as a community to infuse the world with holiness on the
schedule we dictate.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/ProclaimingHolidays.wav
Seasons of Birth
Passover
and Shavuot are times when we receive heavenly gifts that transform our
experience.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/SeasonsofBirth.wav
Seasons of Reconciliation
The
High Holidays and Sukkot are times when we take the
initiative in reaching out to G-d.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/SeasonsofReconciliation.wav
From Darkness to Light
The
special days established by the Rabbis teach us how we can overcome the darkest
of times.
http://www.friendsofchabad.info/FromDarknessToLight.wav
To order a recording of the lessons on CD, click GetCD to send an email with the request and include your name and the name of the lesson. The CD will be brought to the next class. A nominal fee of $5.00 will be charged.