In the Wake of Expulsion

Was the Time Ripe to Reestablish the Sanhedrin?

In 1538, the rabbis of Safed announced that they had decided to reinstitute the practice of ordination, which had fallen into disuse centuries earlier. But soon thereafter, word came from the rabbi in Jerusalem that they were opposed to this initiative. Why did the rabbis of Safed want to reinstitute ordination, and why did the the rabbis of Jerusalem oppose this? Dissecting the halachic polemics, we will learn how this debate was a product of the unique historical circumstances of sixteenth-century Jewry still reeling from the Spanish Expulsion, and we will see how this story is relevant to modern attempts to reinstitute the Sanhedrin.

Writing Your Life Story

Don't Get Stuck in the Narrative

Ever feel like your life is playing out in front of you, and you are just watching the show? While past failures and perceived challenges may make it seem like your life’s story has already been written, Jacob shows that at any moment, we can turn things around for the better.

Writing Your Life Story

Don't Get Stuck in the Narrative

Ever feel like your life is playing out in front of you, and you are just watching the show? While past failures and perceived challenges may make it seem like your life’s story has already been written, Jacob shows that at any moment, we can turn things around for the better.

Miraculous Beginnings

Sowing the Seeds of the Jewish Nation

The painful theme of childlessness is found again and again at the beginning of the Jewish story. But why did the beginning of our nation entail such hardship? Discover the depth and the beauty of our prayerful matriarchs as they laid the foundation for the eternal edifice of the Jewish people.

Miraculous Beginnings

Sowing the Seeds of the Jewish Nation

The painful theme of childlessness is found again and again at the beginning of the Jewish story. But why did the beginning of our nation entail such hardship? Discover the depth and the beauty of our prayerful matriarchs as they laid the foundation for the eternal edifice of the Jewish people.

Rosh Chodesh Society

"Pause & Affect"

Lesson 1: Gift of Rest

With Mrs. Dena Schusterman

It is difficult to imagine today a society functioning without a weekend, but this institution was unheard of in the ancient world. Societies customarily celebrated seasonal holidays, but the notion of a universal weekend -- where an entire society would take a day off each week -- was nonexistent. In fact, Greek and Roman writers habitually mocked the Jews for their Shabbat. Yet, these mockeries were ignored by Jews because of the profound meaning they found in Shabbat.

This lesson explores the deep riches that Jews have found in the

past -- and continue to find today -- in Shabbat observance. We learn that some of the restrictions of Shabbat allow us to experience its power: increased productivity, enhanced physical and emotional health, a more robust sense of liberty, a better fostering of relationships, and amplified feelings of happiness. We then climb to the next rung to discover the vast spiritual treasures embedded into this day -- how Shabbat is a different day, a loftier day, a more spiritual time, rendering it a conducive period for us to ponder and explore our relationship with G-d and our overall life’s mission.

Rosh Chodesh Society

"Pause & Affect"

Lesson 1: Gift of Rest

With Mrs. Dena Schusterman

It is difficult to imagine today a society functioning without a weekend, but this institution was unheard of in the ancient world. Societies customarily celebrated seasonal holidays, but the notion of a universal weekend -- where an entire society would take a day off each week -- was nonexistent. In fact, Greek and Roman writers habitually mocked the Jews for their Shabbat. Yet, these mockeries were ignored by Jews because of the profound meaning they found in Shabbat.

This lesson explores the deep riches that Jews have found in the

past -- and continue to find today -- in Shabbat observance. We learn that some of the restrictions of Shabbat allow us to experience its power: increased productivity, enhanced physical and emotional health, a more robust sense of liberty, a better fostering of relationships, and amplified feelings of happiness. We then climb to the next rung to discover the vast spiritual treasures embedded into this day -- how Shabbat is a different day, a loftier day, a more spiritual time, rendering it a conducive period for us to ponder and explore our relationship with G-d and our overall life’s mission.

Knowledge & Faith - Part 10

"Life's Turbulence"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 12, 2017)

Life certainly has its fair share of ups and downs. One minute things are going well, the next, perhaps not so much. We usually chalk it up to life just being life -- unexpected, unpredictable, volatile.

But the Kabbalists are investigative. They're not content with an answer that skirts the issue. If life has its ups and downs, if our fates and fortunes vacillate so dramatically, there must be more to it. There must be a spiritual root-cause.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore Kabbalistic wisdom on the source of life's turbulence. It may not end the shuddering, but knowing where it comes from can steady us as we navigate what's ahead.

Knowledge & Faith - Part 10

"Life's Turbulence"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 12, 2017)

Life certainly has its fair share of ups and downs. One minute things are going well, the next, perhaps not so much. We usually chalk it up to life just being life -- unexpected, unpredictable, volatile.

But the Kabbalists are investigative. They're not content with an answer that skirts the issue. If life has its ups and downs, if our fates and fortunes vacillate so dramatically, there must be more to it. There must be a spiritual root-cause.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore Kabbalistic wisdom on the source of life's turbulence. It may not end the shuddering, but knowing where it comes from can steady us as we navigate what's ahead.

Knowledge & Faith - Part 9

"Three Degrees of Infinity"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on November 5, 2017)

G-d's greatness, say the ancient Kabbalists, lies in the fact that He can make Himself so small. For just as G-d has the power of infinity, so does He have the power to limit Himself -- otherwise, that itself would constitute a limitation.

Yet, there is much to be said about G-d's infinite power and greatness. About the fact that G-d is beyond time and space, beyond the here and now, beyond anything we can know. About the fact that on one level, G-d is absolutely and essentially unchanged by the entire spectrum of creation.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we learn three powerful messages from G-d's infinity.