Eternal Ethics - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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 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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Two thousand years ago the great Sage Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai instructed his five prime disciples to undertake a unique mission. This mission and their discoveries can still offer us life-changing wisdom. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please […]

Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai was the pivotal leader of the nation at a most vulnerable juncture of our history. His life story and his timeless lessons continue to inform and inspire nearly two millenia after his passing. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

What is really yours and what are you merely a steward over for the duration of your life? In this mishnah, Hillel reclassifies ten things by pulling away the curtain and revealing what they truly are. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In one of those life experiences we hope to never have, Hillel once encountered a skull floating on the water. His comment to that skull is enshrined in Pirkei Avos and serves as an invaluable lesson to us. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the sixth mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos, Hillel the Elder delineates the six levels of distinction, the means to achieve them, and their impediments. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast […]

In chapter 2 we meet Hillel the Elder again. In this mishna we learn the secret of surviving judgement, the differences between how God and man judge, and hear a clarion call for repenting before we die. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Imagine if you had God on your side in all your endeavors. Is there a better or more potent advocate? In this mishna we learn the formula how to get God to advance your interests. The steps are simple to learn but hard in integrate. – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the second mishna of the second Chapter, Rabban Gamleil III offers some novel and surprising perspectives on work/Torah balance and avoiding sin. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to […]

In the first mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos, the great Rabbi Judah the Prince offers indispensable life guidance. Who was this transformative Torah giant and what are his invaluable eternal lessons? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

The finalmishna of the first chapter sounds very similar to its second one. In it we learn the three things upon which the world endures which is quite similar to the teaching of the three things upon which the world stands. In explaining the distinction we learn a fundamental principle about the relationship and interrelationship of God […]

The next mantle holder of the office of the Nasi, Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, teaches us powerful insights on how to become a greater and more perfect person. שמעון בנו אומר, כל ימיי גדלתי בין החכמים, ולא מצאתי לגוף טוב אלא שתיקה; ולא המדרש הוא העיקר, אלא המעשה; וכל המרבה דברים, מביא חטא – – […]

In this Mishnah, Rabban Gamliel the Elder provides us with a powerful lesson that, if observed, will empower our spiritual lives. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund […]

In this concise teaching, Shammai the Elder manages to inspire and enlighten our understanding of accomplishing human greatness. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and […]

In the third teaching of Hillel the Elder, we discover timeless advice to maximizing life: If I am not for me, who will be for me; when I am for myself, what am I; and if not now, when? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In his second consecutive teaching, Hillel instructs us regarding the proper attitude to spiritual development and persistence, and the grave consequences of spiritual stagnation. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]

One of the great legendary figures in Jewish history, Hillel, instructs us to follow the ways of Aaron: To love peace and to pursue it, and to love people and bring them near to Torah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the tenth Mishna, the leader of the Jews Shemayah, a descendent of the Assyrian king Sanchereb, teaches us about the work, leadership and politicians. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a […]