Coaching The Bible

Hi All!

This is episode 89 (S2:E35)!

This week we begin the 4th Book of the Bible, known as Bamidbar in Hebrew and Numbers in English.

Our topic this week: On Belonging

This week, the Bible tells us about tribes, leaders, numbers of people, and flags (of all things!).

I got super interested in the issue of the flags and wondered about the origin of that idea and what flags actually mean.

Why do we have them, why do we need them, and what does it say about us? 

That led me to start thinking about identity, purpose, fitting in, belonging, and authentic self...

So, in a nutshell, this week's episode took me along a long and vital path! So much to discuss on this subject! (I say that every week!)

As always: Enjoy and Happy Learning!

Quote of the week:

'The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.'

-Rudyard Kipling

Hi all!

We have reached the end of Vayikra (Leviticus), the 3rd of the 5 Books of Moses. Congrats to all!

This is episode 88 (S2:E34)

Our portion: Bechukotai

Our topic: On Learning

Most of the time, if I am not working, then you will find me reading something. Almost anything.

I like to read mainly because I like to learn. Almost anything. 

Really I like to learn about everything, the universe, faith, business, leadership, sports, and politics. Name it and most likely I'm interested.

That is why this topic is so important to me.

I think it needs further treatment, but for today we'll talk about infinite learners, lifelong learners, toiling, and even shteiging (great Yiddish word!).

Happy learning!

Quote of the week:

'Learning is not a spectator sport where one can sit back and passively listen and maybe provide some color commentary. It’s an urgent & demanding, all encompassing, passionate and participatory endeavor.'

- Bini Maryles

Hi all!

This is Episode 87 (S2:E33)

We are closing in on the end of the book of Leviticus. Our portion (here in Israel) is Behar.

Our topic this week: On Sabbath

We are going to a deep dive into building a form of Sabbath into our lives, based on the concept of the land lying fallow for a year, and of course, the weekly commandment to observe Sabbath on the seventh day.

Amazingly, we will quote both Rabbi Elijah of Vilna and Ferris Bueller. Don't miss that!

Ask yourself this question and then start to listen:

'How have you built the idea of sabbath into your day-to-day'?  If you haven't yet, then take a listen! You need to.

Ok, start listening!

Hi all!

Happy Israel Independence Day and Happy Mothers' Day!

This is episode 86 (S2:E32)

When I say the word 'respect' what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

For me, it was 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T' by Aretha Franklin. So, we're not going to go in that direction this week, but we are going to talk about the value and importance of respect. 

Our subject comes to us this week by way of the seven-week 'Counting of the Omer' period that is discussed in the week's reading (Emor). The Bible does not describe this time period as either happy or sad, but it would seem from the commentaries that it was meant to be a happy time that joins the celebration of the Exodus and the giving of the Law on Mt Sinai seven weeks later. Yet, we commemorate at least the first handful of weeks as a time of mourning in memory of the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud describes the reason for the death of the '12k pairs' of students as a 'lack of respect for one another.'

How does that happen?

What does that mean?

What is respect/disrespect and where do we see it (not see it?) today?

How do we grow our self-respect and respect for others?

As always, super important topic (a bit long today!).

Enjoy & Happy Learning!

Hi all!

Our topic this week: On Giving The Benefit of the Doubt

*Note: The podcast will be following the reading of the week in Israel for the next couple of months, fulling appreciating that it is then one week ahead. Sorry about that!

Happy Learning and Enjoy!

Quote of the Week:

Brander Matthews

Running late!

This is Episode 84 (S2:E30)

Our topic: Miracles

Quick question:

How do you distinguish between miracle and luck, natural and supernatural, explainable and the unexplainable?

Can you tap into the miraculous or do you dismiss it out of hand?

How does the story of the people of Israel standing at the edge of the Sea, help or hurt how you think and consider the miraculous in life?

Happy Learning and Happy Holiday!

Quote of The Week:

'In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles'- David Ben Gurion

Hi all!

This is Episode 83 (S2:E29)

A special edition of Coaching With The Bible for the holiday of Passover (Pesach).

Our topic this week: Storytelling

Quick question:

Well, in this week's episode we connect our personal story to our communal story, and our personal narrative to our covenantal narrative as we aim to understand the value and benefit of telling good stories. 

Knowing the answer to those questions above is crucial!

We'll also tackle a bit about what makes for a good story and how we can share our own story at the seder and why that's important.

Happy listening and Happy Holidays to all!

Enjoy!

Quote of the week:

-- Sue Monk Kidd (author, The Secret Life of Bees)

Hi all!

This is Episode 82 (S2:E28)

Our topic this week: Personal Redemption

Happy Learning and Enjoy!

Hi all!

Episode 81 is here!

Our topic this week: On Shame & Guilt

Can you explain the following 4 words: Shame, Guilt, Embarrassment, Humiliation?

Each has its own definition and impact on us and in this week's episode, we'll talk about all 4 in the context of the biblical leper and, what else, Will Smith and Chris Rock (The Slap Heard Round The World).

Happy Learning!

Hi all!

This is Episode 80 (S2:E26)

Our topic this week: On Getting The Timing 'Right'

Last week we discussed the first of the 4 Rights of Asking, being the 'right person'. This week we are skipping #2 (the 'right' ask) and instead we'll be talking about 'right #3': Timing

As the saying goes: 'Timing is Everything'

Happy Learning!