Knowledge on the Deeper Side

Lock and Key

What's the Point of Prison?

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 19, 2019)

A quick glance at the statistics suggests an uncomfortable truth: modern-day societies imprison people at a rate unparalleled, and indeed, unimaginable, in past times. Why is this so? Why do we lock people up, and what do we hope to achieve by doing so? This lesson considers and contrasts secular and Talmudic theories of criminal justice, before suggesting how to ensure a more just justice system.

Lock and Key

What's the Point of Prison?

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 19, 2019)

A quick glance at the statistics suggests an uncomfortable truth: modern-day societies imprison people at a rate unparalleled, and indeed, unimaginable, in past times. Why is this so? Why do we lock people up, and what do we hope to achieve by doing so? This lesson considers and contrasts secular and Talmudic theories of criminal justice, before suggesting how to ensure a more just justice system.

Forget Me Not!

Connection Is the Key to Memory

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 20, 2019)

Now that we all have smartphones in our pockets, it seems ridiculous to tie a string around your finger to remember something. But that’s how things were done for millennia. What’s the connection between a knot and memory? Well, the connection is -- believe it or not -- connection.

Forget Me Not!

Connection Is the Key to Memory

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 20, 2019)

Now that we all have smartphones in our pockets, it seems ridiculous to tie a string around your finger to remember something. But that’s how things were done for millennia. What’s the connection between a knot and memory? Well, the connection is -- believe it or not -- connection.

Decoding the Universe - Part 15

"Loving Restraint"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 17, 2019)

Love and restraint are two opposite attributes. Love is giving. Restraint is withholding. Love is energy flowing outward. Restraint is energy flowing inward.

In the language of Kabbalah, love is chesed and restraint is gevurah. Havaya and Elokim. Gilui and tzimtzum.

What's surprising, then, is the fact that despite their opposing natures, chesed and gevurah are unified in their origins. They are one. And even as they are manifest, their inherent oneness peeks through in surprising ways.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore mystical wisdom on giving, taking, and loving restraint.

Decoding the Universe - Part 15

"Loving Restraint"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 17, 2019)

Love and restraint are two opposite attributes. Love is giving. Restraint is withholding. Love is energy flowing outward. Restraint is energy flowing inward.

In the language of Kabbalah, love is chesed and restraint is gevurah. Havaya and Elokim. Gilui and tzimtzum.

What's surprising, then, is the fact that despite their opposing natures, chesed and gevurah are unified in their origins. They are one. And even as they are manifest, their inherent oneness peeks through in surprising ways.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore mystical wisdom on giving, taking, and loving restraint.

Jews & Food - Lesson 4

"Sacred Consumption"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 12, 2019)

Is there anything inherently holy about the act of eating? Not just what we eat, but how? Jewish life is filled with opportunities to gather around the table and break bread -- and latkes, cheesecake, brisket, you name it! In this last installment of Jews & Food, we tackle the question of: Why? What makes eating so Jewish? And what does that mean for our lives?

Jews & Food - Lesson 4

"Sacred Consumption"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 12, 2019)

Is there anything inherently holy about the act of eating? Not just what we eat, but how? Jewish life is filled with opportunities to gather around the table and break bread -- and latkes, cheesecake, brisket, you name it! In this last installment of Jews & Food, we tackle the question of: Why? What makes eating so Jewish? And what does that mean for our lives?

Clothes Make the Person

Behavioral Mastery Is the Name of the Game

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 13, 2019)

From the moment Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their naked flesh, humans have forever been clothed. What does Judaism have to say about your suit and your prom dress? Discover the rules and regulations, the culture and the kabbalah of the clothing in your closet.

Clothes Make the Person

Behavioral Mastery Is the Name of the Game

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 13, 2019)

From the moment Adam and Eve used leaves to cover their naked flesh, humans have forever been clothed. What does Judaism have to say about your suit and your prom dress? Discover the rules and regulations, the culture and the kabbalah of the clothing in your closet.