Knowledge on the Deeper Side

The Art of Giving - Part 7

"Mysteries of Night & Day"

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

Judaism has a unique take on almost everything -- even time. Curiously, and perhaps counter-intuitively, the Jewish day starts at night. True, this follows the biblical model as described in the book of Gensis. But what does it really mean that the segment of "day" begins with darkness, and only then is followed by light?

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore the Kabbalah of time and uncover the mysteries of night and day.

The Art of Giving - Part 6

"Breath & Speech"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on February 11, 2018)

It's almost magical the way we breath, the way life-giving oxygen flows in and out of our bodies, in an ever-precise rhythm.

Speaking is another art form. Our breath rises toward our mouth, where it encounters obstacles and crooked paths, which form the articulation of speech that defines verbal communication.

There's purity of breath. And there's sophistication of speech.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we uncover the mystical secrets of breath and speech. Prepare for a breathtaking discussion.

The Art of Giving - Part 5

"The Magical Properties of Fire"

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

Since the dawn of mankind we have been fascinated with fire. Fire warms, cooks, fuses, breaks, and emanates light. Fire is also a favorite metaphor of the Kabbalists, who note its wondrous and mystical properties.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we discover one of the hidden properties of fire. We experiment hands-on with a little known physics phenomenon pertaining to fire, and learn how this reality is perfectly connected to its metaphysical dimension.

Headlines - Lesson 1

Designer Beef: Is Lab Grown Meat Kosher?

On August 5, 2013, a press conference held in London introduced the world’s first “test tube hamburger,” a burger manufactured from the stem cells of a living animal. A group of scientists from the Netherlands took stem cells from a cow’s muscle tissue and added nutrients and chemicals that caused the cells to rapidly multiply. Eventually, there was enough muscle tissue to produce a piece of meat.

Many groups around the world are encouraging this "clean meat" process as a way to increase the world’s meat supply without depleting natural resources. Animal rights activists are supporting this endeavor because it produces more meat without killing more animals.

Researchers say that it will take at least a decade before the new meat-production techniques become commercially viable, but meanwhile, in anticipation of this eventuality, it behooves us to address the question: What would be the Jewish legal status of meat produced from stem cells? Is it kosher? Is it considered to be "meat," or perhaps is it "pareve"?

We explore these questions and more in our first session of Headlines.

The Bible Course

Part 3: The Book of Judges

Lesson 1

With Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman

Immerse yourself in the richness of the Jewish Scriptures and discover in the ancient texts hidden meanings that have been lost over centuries of translations. Delve into the fascinating world of the ancient prophets of Israel. Peel back the layers of translation and savor the true Hebrew prophecies as they were originally proclaimed. This series focuses on the dramatic stories and powerful messages contained in the Book of Judges.

The Relationship Seminar

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Session 2

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy in Atlanta on February 22, 2018)

After all the pop-psychology and therapy, what is it that really holds a relationship together? Rabbi Eliyahu & Mrs. Dena Schusterman are co-directors of Chabad Intown and have been married for over twenty years. They share impactful Jewish wisdom and practical guidance on creating healthy, lasting relationships.

Woodstock: The Real Story

What We Can Learn from the Hippie Movement

Remember the hippie counterculture, when droves of young Americans rejected the sensible path of their parents? What caused that sort of mayhem? The Purim story teaches that what may have looked like a wild, senseless party was, in fact, a symptom of a longing for meaning. Sometimes, real growth only comes through rejecting the “establishment.”

Bold, Brash... Braggadocious?

Wear Your Judaism with Pride

When the first mitzvah tanks rolled out on the streets of New York, many people turned heads... and noses. We've come a long way since, and it's time to address the issue head on: Should we wear our Judaism on our sleeve, or keep our religious lives to ourselves?

Leading Words

The Art of Influence and Inspiration

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where the don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be."

-Rosalynn Carter

At times, it is necessary to influence, guide, teach, or correct others -- often taking people where they ought to be. This lesson leans on the insights of the Jewish sages to discover how to influence, the responsibilities involved, the means of measuring success, the ability to recognize a communicator projecting personal insecurities on others in a failed attempt to communicate, and the preeminence of motivation over technique.

The Relationship Seminar

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Session 1

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy in Atlanta on February 15, 2018)

After all the pop-psychology and therapy, what is it that really holds a relationship together? Rabbi Eliyahu & Mrs. Dena Schusterman are co-directors of Chabad Intown and have been married for over twenty years. They share impactful Jewish wisdom and practical guidance on creating healthy, lasting relationships.