Knowledge on the Deeper Side

Essential Oils

The Secret to Remaining Above While Tethered Below

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on December 5, 2018)

For many, oil is pariah number one. But on this holiday, we set aside our reservations and indulge in latkes, doughnuts, and take the opportunity to load up our menorahs with oil. So, what’s with the oil? Aside from a relic of the ancient story, a fascinating ride through the Chasidic perspective on oil reveals some important truths about who we really are.

Decoding the Universe - Part 6

"The Philosophers vs The Kabbalists"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on December 9, 2018)

Philosophers and Kabbalists don't always see eye to eye. There are certain issues -- big issues -- that are the subject of fierce scholarly debate. And for some of these issues, the world, literally, hangs in the balance.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore philosophy, Kabbalah, light, energy, and the essential fabric of existence.

Decoding the Universe - Part 5

"Secret Letters"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on December 2, 2018)

The Hebrew language is fundamentally different than all other languages. It is the language of creation. The mystics teach that the Hebrew letters carry the life force of every living thing. Therefore, the various elements of the Hebrew letters -- the names, sounds, shapes, and numerology of the letters -- are each highly significant.

In this mind-expanding session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore the secrets embedded in the Hebrew letters... secrets that powerfully shape our universe.

Bridging the Divide

G-d's Torah and G-d's Science

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 29, 2018)

The scientific universe is inhabited by labs, theories, research, experiments, and cause and effect. But there's a parallel universe: one inhabited by faith, the supernatural, cosmic meaning, and divine purpose. Are these two worlds -- seemingly so distant from each other -- relevant to each other? Can G-d and science coexist?

Put a Smile on Your Face!

Making Others Feel Good, Even When You’re Not

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 28, 2018)

“Be true to yourself!” is a refrain often heard. Hey, if you’re not feeling it, then why bother faking it and putting on a smile just for others? While popular wisdom may suggest so, the behavior of a tormented slave named Joseph in the dungeons of Egypt speaks volumes of how we ought to think about others around us and the demeanor we should maintain to brighten others.

Cosmic Collision

What a Kabbalistic “Big Bang” Has to Say about Everyday Life

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 21, 2018)

Cosmic collisions, and abundant lights shattering vessels and raining sparks into darkened worlds: sounds like the stuff of a fantasy movie -- but it’s not. Believe it or not, it’s the Kabbalistic rendering of creation, and it has major implications for how the world operates, and more importantly, how you operate. Discover the secret of the cosmos and yourself, through the surprising vehicle of a narrative about Edomite kings.

Shari'ah: A Jewish Primer on Islamic Law

With Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Pill

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on Saturday night, November 17, 2018)

Using the familiar concepts, ethos, and language of Jewish law, we explore the sources, methods, and dynamics of Islamic law. This is a compelling primer on Shari’ah law through the lens of Judaism.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo C. Pill is a Professor at the Candler School of Theology, and a Senior Fellow at The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University, where he teaches courses on Judaism, Islam, and Religious Liberty. Dr. Pill is also the director of the Institute for Jewish Muslim Action, an organization dedicated to developing and actualizing research-based cooperative initiatives between American Jews and Muslims to promote common goals.

Decoding the Universe - Part 4

"The Precariousness of Being"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 18, 2018)

To be or not to be? That is the question philosophers have struggled with throughout the ages. Is the nature of existence to exist, or to not exist?

The Kabbalists are very certain about this. Non-existence is our natural state. And the fact of our existence s the biggest mystery -- and miracle -- of all.

In this breathtaking session of Kabbalah & Coffee we study the Jewish mystical understanding of souls, language, letters, and existence itself.

Decoding the Universe - Part 3

"Fall of a Tzaddik"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 4, 2018)

Even the mighty can tumble. None of us are too big to fail. And sometimes, the higher they are, the lower they fall.

The real question is: after you've stumbled, do you have what it takes to get back up?

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore the world of mishap and discuss what it takes to hold on when the road get slippery.

Larger Than Life - Lesson 1

"Privacy"

With Mrs. Dena Schusterman

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 12, 2018)

In today’s age of constant broadcasting and self-broadcasting via social media, the borders of privacy have grown befuddled. In a world where all is bared and none is barred, it is difficult to strike the right balance. Moreover, we inhabit a world in which computers track every stroke, a “forward” option beckons in each email, and high-res cameras peek from pockets with high speed connections eager to dispatch.

But human dignity is sacred, and a vital element of human dignity is respect for the privacy of ourselves and others. When are we to broach an opinion and when ought we keep silent? What should we share and what should we retain? How are we to act when we require information—perhaps to protect human dignity—but recognize that obtaining it conflicts with the same? Should a mother share private information about her teenage daughter with a neighbor in the hopes of getting her help? May I share information about a third party that is indispensable for my friend’s life choices?