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Recently a man was bemoaning the fact that every shidduch he gets set up with ends in failure. And it's always the other side rejecting him. He felt hopeless, saying he's never gonna get married. I told him there's one girl that Hashem already destined for him and when he finds her, she will not reject him. The things that bother others will not bother her. I then recalled a story which once took place with the Chazon Ish and looked into it to get more details to give this person chizuk . The story was about a man who came to the Chazon Ish saying that he had a 26-year-old daughter that never went out even once. The reason was because he got into a fight with a man in their building and this man happened to be the one that everybody asks to see if a family is good to marry into and he always gave a negative report about this particular family. When the Chazon Ish heard the problem, he said, “Nobody could beat Hashem. When the time comes for your daughter to get married, that man will not be able to stop the shidduch from happening.” The man got chizuk . It was just a few months later and a suggestion was made for his daughter and this time they actually met. They went out a few times and were ready to get engaged. The parents of the boy came to meet the parents of the girl and, in the stairwell, they met up with the man who always sabotaged their shidduchim . The father of the boy knew the man very well because they went to yeshiva together. When he asked his old friend what he was doing there, the man said he was coming to finalize a shidduch and mentioned the girl's family. But this time the man just said Mazal Tov and wished them well. Just like the Chazon Ish said, when the right shidduch came along, nobody was able to stop Hashem's plan from coming into fruition. I heard a story on Stories to Inspire, told by Rabbi Ari Bensoussan about himself. The Rabbi said he had been sick with cancer, not once but twice. After being in remission from the first time he started shidduchim . He was told by a Rabbi to wait a few dates until breaking the news to the other side. A shidduch was progressing very nicely, and then he had to break the news. The girl told him she needed time to check into his medical reports. After nearly a month, the girl called and said, she was sorry, but she had to end it. Rabbi Ari was devastated. Then sometime later the cancer came back and this time he lost all of his hair from the treatments. At this point he felt he would never get married. But then, while he was still recuperating from the second illness, his brother received a call from a friend saying that he wanted to set up his sister with his brother Ari. This was strange because they knew of his illness. They waited until his hair grew back and he was pronounced healed and then they started dating. It was going very well, and then on the fourth date he asked the girl if she was really serious about continuing, knowing his condition. The girl told him, “Right now you're fine. If it is decreed that my husband is supposed to get sick in the future that is up to Hashem, not me. For now, I'm looking for a person who I feel will be a good husband.” Rabbi Ari was blown away. Something that should seemingly turn away every girl did not faze this girl. The reason was simple. This was the girl that Hashem wanted for him to marry and nothing could ever stop the will of Hashem from coming to fruition.
Walking through the ancient streets of Jerusalem, one can't help but feel a connection to the past, a thread weaving through the fabric of time. On this podcast, we're joined by Rabbi Tzvi Blachman, who brings that sensation to life as he recounts his journey from a child of Holocaust survivors to a beacon of wisdom for Israeli and American students. Amidst the city's evolving skyline, Rabbi Blachman shares how the pursuit of material achievements must be balanced with a commitment to spiritual growth and the values that have sustained Jewish culture through the ages. His stories serve as powerful reminders that in a world racing towards tomorrow, our roots need to be firmly planted in tradition.There's a moment in everyone's life that defines their path, and for Rabbi Blachman, that moment came when teaching Torah became more than a passion—it became a calling. The Rabbi's narrative takes us to the heart of his decision to dedicate his life to the sacred texts, revealing the profound influence of his early experiences and role models on his love for Torah study. He discusses the challenges that many Jewish youths face, including the seductive pull of modern Western society and the resulting struggle to maintain a strong Jewish identity. The anecdotes he shares, like the transformative encounter with a religious boy dating outside the faith, underscore the urgency of his mission to guide the next generation towards a deep-seated pride in their heritage.Our conversation shifts from the personal to the universal as Rabbi Blachman reflects on the indelible impact of the Holocaust on collective Jewish memory and the spiritual resonance of traditions like the shul balconies. We traverse the heartbreaking notion of a "spiritual Holocaust" in our time, with countless Jews drifting away from their ancestral bonds. The Rabbi also invites us to reimagine the celebration of Shabbat, not merely as a weekly pause but as the pinnacle of our spiritual week. As Rabbi Blachman recounts unexpected Torah study sessions and the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, he paints a picture of a culture where acts of kindness and devotion to study are not the exception, but the fabric of everyday life. Join us for this profound exploration of faith, identity, and the timeless lessons that guard the soul of a people.This Jewish Inspiration Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH (Ep. #271) is dedicated to our dearest friends, Rabbi Ari & Sami Winkler!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on May 29, 2023, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 28, 2023_____________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!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area! ★ Support this podcast ★
Walking through the ancient streets of Jerusalem, one can't help but feel a connection to the past, a thread weaving through the fabric of time. On this podcast, we're joined by Rabbi Tzvi Blachman, who brings that sensation to life as he recounts his journey from a child of Holocaust survivors to a beacon of wisdom for Israeli and American students. Amidst the city's evolving skyline, Rabbi Blachman shares how the pursuit of material achievements must be balanced with a commitment to spiritual growth and the values that have sustained Jewish culture through the ages. His stories serve as powerful reminders that in a world racing towards tomorrow, our roots need to be firmly planted in tradition.There's a moment in everyone's life that defines their path, and for Rabbi Blachman, that moment came when teaching Torah became more than a passion—it became a calling. The Rabbi's narrative takes us to the heart of his decision to dedicate his life to the sacred texts, revealing the profound influence of his early experiences and role models on his love for Torah study. He discusses the challenges that many Jewish youths face, including the seductive pull of modern Western society and the resulting struggle to maintain a strong Jewish identity. The anecdotes he shares, like the transformative encounter with a religious boy dating outside the faith, underscore the urgency of his mission to guide the next generation towards a deep-seated pride in their heritage.Our conversation shifts from the personal to the universal as Rabbi Blachman reflects on the indelible impact of the Holocaust on collective Jewish memory and the spiritual resonance of traditions like the shul balconies. We traverse the heartbreaking notion of a "spiritual Holocaust" in our time, with countless Jews drifting away from their ancestral bonds. The Rabbi also invites us to reimagine the celebration of Shabbat, not merely as a weekly pause but as the pinnacle of our spiritual week. As Rabbi Blachman recounts unexpected Torah study sessions and the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, he paints a picture of a culture where acts of kindness and devotion to study are not the exception, but the fabric of everyday life. Join us for this profound exploration of faith, identity, and the timeless lessons that guard the soul of a people.This Jewish Inspiration Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH (Ep. #271) is dedicated to our dearest friends, Rabbi Ari & Sami Winkler!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on May 29, 2023, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 28, 2023_____________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!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
What is Hanukkah and what does it mean for the Jewish people this year, especially in light of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas? Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, director of Agudath Israel of America office in Connecticut, explains the holiday's history and why it has been, and remains, a source of spiritual strength for the Jewish people over thousands of years.
How to be joyous in the darkest times.
Shiur given by Rabbi Ari Jacobson at the Achdus learning program in shul on Thursday night. Shiur given in Kahal Ahavas Yitzchok, Monsey NY.
Shiur given by Rabbi Ari Senter on the topic of Archeology & Manuscripts in Halacha at the Achdus learning program in shul on Thursday night. Shiur given in Kahal Ahavas Yitzchok, Monsey NY.
This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "A Dove Among Hawks"October 20, 2023
As war rages on in Israel, Willie seeks a local perspective from Rabbi Ari Jun. Why did Hamas and Hezbollah choose now to attack, and what should we expect in the coming day both in Israel and here at home.
As war rages on in Israel, Willie seeks a local perspective from Rabbi Ari Jun. Why did Hamas and Hezbollah choose now to attack, and what should we expect in the coming day both in Israel and here at home.
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Will the Messiah Get to York Avenue?" | Yom Kippur 5784
We all know that Hashem could help us at any moment. We all know that one of the greatest ways to access Hashem's help is through tefila . But, do we really believe in our heart of hearts that our prayers work? Do we believe that tefila is the best option we have in all situations? The strength of our tefilot depends on our belief in their effectiveness. Rabbi Ari Ben Shushan told that he and his siblings all started out their marriages childless, for around four years. They all got married about the same time and it was very strange that they were all going through the exact same difficulty. He lived in Israel at that time and one of his brothers told him he had to go to Rav Chaim Kanievsky z”l and get advice on what they needed to do to break that decree. Rabbi Ari went and watched as all the people who met Rav Chaim before him all get the same blessing, “ Beracha v'hatzlacha .” His brother had demanded of him to try to get more than that. He really wanted counsel besides for the blessing. Rabbi Ari wrote up the entire situation on paper and Rav Chaim's gabai read it to him. When he finished, Rav Chaim said, “ Beracha v'hatzlacha .” Rabbi Ari then asked the gabai to please ask Rav Chaim if there was a kabbala they could take upon themselves to help them break the decree. The gabai asked Rav Chaim and Rav Chaim laughed, saying, “Kabbala? They need tefila .” With that, Rabbi Ari left and called his siblings to tell them the message. They all knew about tefila. They have been praying heartfelt tefilot on a daily basis and that's why the Rabbi's advice was not what they were expecting. Rabbi Ari told them, “Rav Chaim knows something that we don't. We need to redouble our efforts in tefila .” With that, they all viewed tefila from a brand-new perspective. Baruch Hashem, that year Rabbi Ari and three of his siblings got the wonderful news that they were all expecting a child. We all know that tefila is necessary. But when we see it perhaps in a new light, it becomes so much more special. If someone would be going through a very tough difficulty and he is making every hishtadlut possible to fix his problem, and all of a sudden a Navi would come to him and say, “Your problem will be solved when you pray with the emunah that Hashem is in front of you and is waiting to help you. Then, all of a sudden, his tefilot would take on a new dimension. He would stop focusing on all of his other hishtadlut and would pray the way he is capable of praying. We don't need a Navi to tell us this, as our Chazal have already told us. Whenever a person comes to pray, he should first think about the person who loves him most in his life and how much that person wants to please him. And then he should think that Hashem loves him more than that and wants his benefit much more than that person does. Then he should imagine that he is walking in to have a face to face conversation, kavayachol , with Hashem. Hashem is giving him complete attention and wants to hear everything that is bothering him. The same way a person would talk to his father, who told him to come over and get his help, that is how we should be talking to Hashem during tefila . When we do it the right way, we will see amazing results. This time of year is the most opportune for tefila . During the days of Elul, Rosh Hashanah, Aseret Yameh Teshuva and Yom Kippur, we need to strengthen ourselves and pray with real emunah that tefila works. And b'ezrat Hashem, we will see the answers to all our tefilot . Amen.
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Virtuous Speech or Virtuous Action"August 25, 2023
Let there be Light - The American Israelite Newspaper Podcast
This week, Ted welcomes co-host Julia Olson back onto the podcast, as well as Jeremy Spiegel and Rabbi Ari Ballaban from the JCRC, to read and discuss the latest edition of the American Israelite.
Rabbi Ari Bensoussan addresses today's teens who believe they can do what they want now and they'll change later. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gyeSubscribe to our Podcast→ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3HOEr1F→ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3HNZcdF→ Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3XS7AOUOr wherever Podcasts are available!Learn more about GYE: https://guardyoureyes.com/
Rabbi Ari Bensoussan shares with us what we can do when the tests feel overwhelming. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gyeSubscribe to our Podcast→ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3HOEr1F→ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3HNZcdF→ Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3XS7AOUOr wherever Podcasts are available!Learn more about GYE: https://guardyoureyes.com/
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "The Leviticus 18:5 Test: Live by them, don't die by them"February 10, 2023
Finding Center is a daily half-hour of spiritual focus and re-centering. Religious leaders, university faculty, and other thoughtful people share insight and experiences on topics most meaningful to them. On Tuesdays, we'll bring you live devotionals and forum addresses from the BYU campus. M-F 1 Eastern/10 Pacific. And you can subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode.
For Parashat Bo, we're talking plagues, darkness, light, Zionism, and more with guest Rabbi Ari Goldstein. Rabbi Goldstein is Gabe's mentor at Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, MD. A fantastic teacher and speaker, Ari shares his thoughts and interpretations, as well has his rabbinic philosophies, taking to heart the difficult balance between reverence for Biblical narrative and historical fact. To continue the conversation: Temple Beth Shalom: AnnapolisTemple.com Find us on social media: Facebook: Drinking and Drashing: Torah with a Twist Instagram: @DrinkingandDrashing Website: www.drinkinganddrashing.com Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/xeeghhpSy3 Show the love with some Drinking and Drashing: Torah with a Twist merchandise at store.drinkinganddrashing.com, and don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating on Apple Podcasts—it's a great way to help our show grow! Edited by Michael Iaciofano
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "The Questions that Motivate Us"December 9, 2022
B"HRabbi Ari Shishler said there was one thing that he could never survive; that is if G-d forbid, there was a serious issue with one of his children. When his daughter Shaina was diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic condition called BPAN, Rabbi Shishler was thrust into such a dark place that he couldn't see how to move forward. That's when he turned to the Gate of Trust, and re-discovered the path to transforming darkness into light. Today, his daughter Shaina has a celebrity following, and is leading a global campaign to build @aKinderWorldNow! To learn more about Rabbi Ari Shishler and Shaina, check out their blog and donate for a cure today, email akinderworldnow@gmail.com to start a Kindness Campaign in your community, and follow Shaina on social media @aKinderWorldNow.
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "The Weeping Synagogue"October 7, 2022
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Jewish Optimism: Adopting our God's-Eye-View"October 5, 2022
Join my new Soundcloud page at www.soundcloud.com/thetorahcenteratl Subscribe to my new podcast coming soon, Torah Unraveled!
We expend so much time and energy chasing our dreams, but does it come at the expense of our integrity and happiness? Jewish teachings turn our quest on its head, and place the keys to our greatest dreams firmly in our hands. Learn how to navigate the incredible path Judaism sets for us to achieve a truly superhuman life.
We are deep in the month of Elul and rapidly approaching Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I asked my dear friend Rabbi Ari Winkler to join us and teach us, how to optimize this time of year to recalibrate ourselves back to who we truly are so we can bring greater alignment between us and […]
The American experiment—even the future of liberalism—feels exhausted. What's a theologian to do about this? How can serious thinking about religion contribute uniquely to a flourishing political and moral discourse? How can it be done with both a sense of conviction, but also a spirit of humility? To unpack this, Rabbi Ari spoke to his good friend, fellow podcaster and professor of theology at Baylor University, Matthew L. Anderson. They talked: how to do public theology; is there an evangelical intellectual tradition?; religion and digital media; what you learn as a preacher's kid (or grandkid!); pronatalism; the perils and value of nations; the future of liberalism; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
“What's the biggest problem with America these days?” Imagine if someone answered that question by saying that Americans don't spend nearly enough time in…cemeteries? Well, on this episode of Good Faith Effort, it's precisely that thesis that we try to defend! Rabbi Ari had on brilliant up-and-coming writer Chaya Sara Oppenheim to discuss the ‘cemetery culture' that has grown up around the town of Monsey, New York, just 45 minutes north of Manhattan. Along the way they discuss why dead people are more important than you think; how prayer works; the importance of localism; some unexpected ways you can learn about the place you live; Fiddler on the Roof; Cynthia Ozick; the tension between homeland and diaspora; belief in miracles; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
One of the climactic moments of the Renaissance was the European rediscovery of the Hebrew language. Knowledge of Hebrew—and intensive study of both the Hebrew Bible and Jewish rabbinic literature—would sweep across Europe, and end up fundamentally reshaping everything from personal spirituality to the nature and structure of politics in the West. And yet, at the very same time all of this was underway, a plot was hatched to completely eradicate Judaism forever in the Holy Roman Empire—a plot that, had it succeeded, could have swept across the rest of Europe as well. Only one person was prepared to take a principled stand against it. That man was a Christian scholar named Johannes Reuchlin. And his fight to defend Jews and Jewish learning would shape the moral and political trajectory of the West to this very day. Reuchlin studied Hebrew and Jewish literature with some of the legendary figures in Jewish history—including Rabbi Obadiah Sforno—and would be remembered by towering figures of later periods as one of “the righteous among the nations”. But few people today know his story. So on this episode, Rabbi Ari unpacked it together with the Vanderbilt University historian, David Price, who literally wrote the book on Reuchlin! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
In this week's episode, Amanda coins a new term: “nudgecator.” What's a nudgecator? Let's ask Rabbi Ariel Naveh! For Parashat Re'eh, Rabbi Ari talks with us about a pursuit of justice for the future by reckoning with our past. Whether it's passages of Torah or moments in American history, we need to be able to look back and be honest about the darker elements. And, as we say throughout the episode, that can be really hard. So join us as we talk Torah, history, and action for this week's episode. To continue the conversation: Facebook: Ariel Naveh Twitter: @ActualRabbiAri Instagram: @ArielNaveh Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/xeeghhpSy3 Show the love with some Drinking and Drashing: Torah with a Twist merchandise at store.drinkinganddrashing.com, and don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating on Apple Podcasts—it's a great way to help our show grow! Edited by Kate Griffin
How do we navigate in an age where our access to information is limitless? How do we read better? How do we write well? How do we seek out valuable new things? And why is it also more important than ever to hold on to—or discover!—the virtues of ancient wisdom? To unpack all of this, Rabbi Ari spoke with David Perell—one of the most prolific writers, teachers and podcasters in the world of new media; host of the North Star podcast; author of the “Friday Finds” and “Monday Musings” newsletters; and teacher of the legendary masterclass for online writers, “Write of Passage”. They talked about how to cope with information overload; the virtues of orality vs. writtenness; informational monotheism vs. informational paganism; why Westerners should read the Bible; the value and perils of a canon; Cain and Abel; the Tree of Knowledge; VCs and prophecy; how to be productive in the digital age; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
Rabbi Ari Bensoussan grew up in Brooklyn, before attending Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, Mir and Beis Medrash Govoah. A Musmach of the Yerushalayim Rabbinate and Rav Yitzchok Berkowitz, Rabbi Ari co-founded Yeshivas Ruach Chaim, and was a Senior Lecturer at Derech before moving with his wife and 4 boys to Los Angeles, where he heads a branch of Chazak International. A renowned lecturer and sought-after speaker, Rabbi Ben Soussan inspires and teaches all over the world. He is the co-host of the wildly popular Two Cents Podcast. __________________________________________ This episode is brought to you by Touro University! To learn more about how you can excel at Touro University, Visit Touro.edu/more _______________________________________________________ This episode is also brought to you by Bridge Credit Solutions! If you're looking for a reputable credit repair company that can clean your credit within 6-60 days or your money back, Bridge Credit Solutions is your choice. Serious Inquiries Only https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=12126602991&text=Hi,%20Im%20interested%20in%20more%20information.%20Saw%20on%20MM%20 _______________________________________________________ Subscribe to Meaningful Minute on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/15166687800?text=Please%20subscribe%20me%20to%20Meaningful%20Min Ute _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to our Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2WALuE2 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/MPPGooglePodcasts Or wherever Podcasts are available! Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/meaningfulpeoplepodcast Like us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/MPPonFB Follow us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/MeaningfuPplPod Editor: Sruly Saftlas Podcast created by: Meaningful Minute For more info and upcoming news check out: https://MeaningfulPeoplePodcast.com #jew #jewish #podcast #frum #rabbi #frumpodcast #meaningfulpeople #torah #mitzvah #hashem #jewishmusic #jewishpodcast #israel #kumzitz #nachigordon #jewishpod
Say you're one of the biggest stars in the world. You're making hit TV shows and huge movies. You're influencing millions upon millions of people. And you're a kid. How do you deal with the challenges, and how might you seize the opportunities? Is it possible to be deeply mission-driven in such a world? This week, Rabbi Ari spoke with Kel Mitchell, the two-time Emmy-nominated actor and comedian who starred in massive shows like Kenan and Kel and All That, and hit films like Good Burger. And who now, in addition to his continued success in the entertainment business, is the youth pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, California. They talked about Kel's story; how you balance between inspiration and consistency in faith; why kids' TV in the 90s had a lot more depth than it does today; why the Bible sees young people as capable of heroism; why social media is so important; and much more!
Human equality. Justice for all. Political liberty. Hope in the face of despair. We take all of these for granted as essential components of a good life and virtuous society. But where do they come from? Will you find them in Plato and Aristotle? In Cicero or Plotinus? What if we can't? On this week's episode, Rabbi Ari sat down with Dru Johnson, Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought at the King's College, to talk about why the world we live in is incomprehensible without the Hebrew Bible. They talked what's wrong with the Greek philosophers; what the Hebraic world is all about; what ritual can teach us; why it's important to fold your underwear; what punk rock has to do with the Bible; whether our body is something we should try to escape; the greatest Biblical story you've never heard of; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
When we think of the Biblical story, we usually think of a beleaguered population of former slaves fleeing for their lives into a desert. But if you read the Bible's account of the Israelite story, you'll see that they're consistently called upon to take up arms in their own defense. What insight could we gain from interpreting the Bible from a military perspective? On this week's episode, Rabbi Ari talked unpacked all this with the 40th Inspector General of the entire U.S. Navy—and highest ranking Jew on the Seas—former Vice Admiral Herman Shelanski. They spoke about what it means to be a warrior; whether the United States should adopt a mandatory national service program; what it means to be a part of Jewish history as an immigrant; the reason why sailors of all backgrounds love Passover; President Harry Truman's Torah scroll; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
The emperors of Rome traditionally promoted themselves as deities—as human beings who had ascended to godhood by virtue of their political might. In America, of course, we do not have god-kings, nor do we deify the great leaders of our past. But if there were any political figure in American history about whom it could be said that he had achieved some sort of genuine transcendence beyond the usual political acclaim, it would be Abraham Lincoln. So what made Lincoln great? What were his flaws and triumphs? What does the success of the Lincoln presidency tell us about the American story at large? How, in particular, did his unusual embrace of the American Jewish community make sense within the wider context of the American experiment? On this week's episode, Rabbi Ari talked unpacked all this with legendary historian at Brandeis, and author of several books on the Lincoln era, Jonathan Sarna. They spoke about Lincoln's leadership; his attitude towards antisemitism; his Biblical wit and wisdom and his relationship with the Holy Land; whether it's a hindrance or a help to have political heroes; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
John Selden. A name most people today have never heard. But at one of the most crucial political turning points in the history of the West —17th century England — he was widely known as the most brilliant man in Europe, England's most accomplished lawyer, and a leading Member of Parliament so respected that both sides of the English Civil War desperately sought to recruit him to their side. His ideas were deeply influential on the future of Western liberty, and to this day remain the best alternative to the secular materialism of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. He was also the most rabbinically learned non-Jew in world history, and a vocal proponent of ancient rabbinic tradition as the best basis for a virtuous political system. Who was this fascinating thinker? What was his story? And why are his ideas so critical today? To unpack all of this, Rabbi Ari brought on historian Ofir Haivry, author of John Selden and the Western Political Tradition. Haivry is also Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Herzl Institute, and Director of its National Strategy Initiative. They talked all things Selden — the most important Western thinker you've never heard of! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
Rabbi Ari Schonfeld (Night Seder America) on Let's Get Real with Coach Menachem, Sunday, June 12,2022 Episode # 105 Its Geshmack to be a Kid. Creating a Chinuch Environment That Brings out the Best of our Children --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/menachem-bernfeld/support
What will it take to build a dynamic future for our society? We talk a lot about infrastructure, manufacturing, supply chains, defense, biotech. But what about restoring a sense of mission, purpose, community and shared values? A truly bright future needs a new Great Awakening—it needs faith. But how do we build that in the world of digital media and tech? To unpack all this, Rabbi Ari brought on Matthew Potter, co-founder of Pray.com, the #1 daily prayer app on the entire planet. They spoke about building out of tragedy; what differentiates faith from other group activities; how faith fits in Silicon Valley; single-player vs. multi-player prayer; what makes a company worth building; the future of faith in Gen Z; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
If there's one thing Western society needs right now, it's the rejuvenation of community. But what does it take to rebuild community out of the ashes of COVID, and in the face of a loneliness epidemic sweeping across America and the West at large? To unpack all of this, Rabbi Ari spoke to a man who quite literally does this for a living — David Siegel, CEO of Meetup, the largest social media platform for building in-real-life community in the world, and author of the new book “Decide and Conquer,” out now. They spoke about how to beat loneliness; why Rousseau is wrong; lessons learned from the rise and fall of WeWork; whether community can survive the trajectory of American liberalism; the threat that social media culture poses to community in 2022; and much more!
We often think of religion as this thing you learn about through texts. Through studying in a seminary. Through quiet contemplation. But as far as the Bible is concerned, religion is so much more than that! It's embodied, it's traditional, it reaches every single nook and cranny of our lives. And it's deeply sensory. It's about sights, sounds…even smells and tastes! So what can we learn about religion, about culture—about life—from the world of food? To unpack this, Rabbi Ari spoke with celebrity food writer and influencer Adeena Sussman, author (and co-author along with Chrissy Teigen, Candace Nelson, and others) of numerous NYT-bestselling cookbooks. They talked about the revolution in Jewish and Israeli cuisine in the last decade; what you can uniquely learn about a culture through food; the insight cooking gives you into the immigrant experience; the role the Sabbath plays in shaping Jewish cuisine; what Adeena learned from sharing Jewish cuisine with Chrissy Teigen; where she'd eat in Israel if she only had one place to choose; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.
What does it take to produce one of the most popular podcasts in the world? Especially when it's about the Bible? Rabbi Ari spoke to Tara Leigh Cobble, host of The Bible Recap podcast, about the importance of daily study; the most underrated characters in the Book of Judges; the Bible's political wisdom; the importance of experiencing the Bible in Hebrew (even for those who don't speak or read it!); what doing her podcast has taught her about pedagogy and setting goals; and much more!
When we think of the roots of American liberty and attitudes towards monarchy, we usually think of classically trained statesmen pondering the glories of Athens and Rome. But what if I told you that in fact, the two most important sources undergirding the American Founding were: the Bible…and the Talmud? In today's episode, Rabbi Ari brought on Harvard's Eric Nelson to talk about the revival of Hebrew learning among Christians during the Renaissance; the origins of the idea, popular during the American Revolution, that monarchy is idolatry; the role that royalism played in American thought; the benefits and pitfalls of technocracy in contemporary America; how to study important texts that seem inaccessible; and much more!