Knowledge on the Deeper Side

Decoding the Universe - Part 14

"Heaven"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 10, 2019)

Nearly all religions speak of a "Heaven." But Judaism's understanding of Heaven is very different than the rest, especially as described in Kabbalah.

Souls never die; they are eternal. So after their time on earth in a body they return to their Source. Which begs the questions: What do souls do after their separation from the body? What is that pure-soul experience like? And what, if any, connection is there between the life we live now and the state of the soul then?

In this other-worldly edition of Kabbalah & Coffee we untangle the mysteries of Heaven.

Decoding the Universe - Part 14

"Heaven"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 10, 2019)

Nearly all religions speak of a "Heaven." But Judaism's understanding of Heaven is very different than the rest, especially as described in Kabbalah.

Souls never die; they are eternal. So after their time on earth in a body they return to their Source. Which begs the questions: What do souls do after their separation from the body? What is that pure-soul experience like? And what, if any, connection is there between the life we live now and the state of the soul then?

In this other-worldly edition of Kabbalah & Coffee we untangle the mysteries of Heaven.

Follow Your Heart

Finding Your Personal Path

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 6, 2019)

It seems that Jewry is fractured: the academic Jew, the spiritual Jew, and the do-gooder Jew. Which one is more important? The seemingly archaic furniture of the Temple comes to life in this lesson, to help each of us find our unique path.

Follow Your Heart

Finding Your Personal Path

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 6, 2019)

It seems that Jewry is fractured: the academic Jew, the spiritual Jew, and the do-gooder Jew. Which one is more important? The seemingly archaic furniture of the Temple comes to life in this lesson, to help each of us find our unique path.

Jews & Food - Lesson 3

"The Meat of the Issue"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 5, 2019)

Fat, blood, and cheeseburgers! In this week's installment, we chew on some tough questions: Why are some parts of an animal spiritually upliftable and others, not? What happens if we eat non-Kosher? And most importantly -- why should we care? All this and more is on the table in the third installment of Jews & Food.

Jews & Food - Lesson 3

"The Meat of the Issue"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 5, 2019)

Fat, blood, and cheeseburgers! In this week's installment, we chew on some tough questions: Why are some parts of an animal spiritually upliftable and others, not? What happens if we eat non-Kosher? And most importantly -- why should we care? All this and more is on the table in the third installment of Jews & Food.

Medicine and Morals - Lesson 1

Choosing Life: The Obligation to Seek Treatment

This lesson examines Jewish perspectives on pursuing medical care, as well as declining it. Is it ever acceptable, or even preferable, to sim­ply rely on faith, prayer, and one’s own resources? How does Judaism justify medical intervention? And is it an obligation or a choice? May other family members force us to seek treatment that we do not want? This lesson examines the ethics of issues involving patient auton­omy within the modern health care system.

Medicine and Morals - Lesson 2

Flesh of My Flesh: Organ Transplants in Jewish Law

Hundreds of thousands of people find their lives hanging in the balance as they hope for the gift of life in the form of a vital organ such as a heart, lung, or kidney. By receiving an organ, they are literally given a new lease on life. Yet there is a tremendous shortage of available organs. Does Jewish law allow the donation of organs, either from a live donor or one who is recently deceased? Do we have the authority to give a body part away? Might it go further, actively encouraging or even mor­ally compelling one to donate under certain circumstances? This lesson provides a nuanced and compassionate look at the sensitive ethical issues governing organ donation.

Medicine and Morals - Lesson 3

Rolling the Dice: Risky and Experimental Treatments

Often, people with rare or incurable illnesses consider untested experimental treatment, gambling that they will be cured. May one participate in an experimental treatment with no guarantee of success that also has the danger of shortening life? Can we define the allowable odds? Do our personal preferences and values hold any weight? And does the same hold true for children? Does it matter that participating in this experimental treatment will provide important knowledge that will be helpful in curing others?

Medicine and Morals - Lesson 4

New Beginnings: The Ethics of Reproductive Technologies

Many couples struggle with infertility. In their efforts to bear a child, they are often cast into the complicated ethical web of the new reproductive technologies, many of which call into question the very definition of a parent. In the age of sperm donation, egg donation, and surrogacy, can a child have more than two parents? How does Judaism look at “designer babies”? Can we pre-select the gender of the child to match parent preferences or to prevent genetic illnesses? How far must one go in the quest for biological children, and what recourse is there for those who are unable to bear children of their own?