Knowledge on the Deeper Side

Where East Met West

The Chosen City of Jerusalem

In the course of repulsing Jordanian aggression, Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem, including its Temple Mount and Western Wall, all of which holds utmost historical, cultural, and spiritual import to the Jewish nation. The return of these sites to Jewish hands triggered a global Jewish spiritual awakening. What is the history and significance of Jerusalem? What allure does it hold for its millions of annual visitors?

Where East Met West

The Chosen City of Jerusalem

In the course of repulsing Jordanian aggression, Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem, including its Temple Mount and Western Wall, all of which holds utmost historical, cultural, and spiritual import to the Jewish nation. The return of these sites to Jewish hands triggered a global Jewish spiritual awakening. What is the history and significance of Jerusalem? What allure does it hold for its millions of annual visitors?

Lightning Strike

The Ethics of Preemptive Strikes

As Arab armies mobilized along its borders, Israel faced immense international pressure not to launch a preemptive strike. She ignored these warnings and struck first. What are the ethics of preemptive strikes? What weight should be given to political considerations -- as opposed to purely security/military concerns -- in rendering such decisions? And how do these deliberations apply to the host of mortal threats that Israel faces today?

Lightning Strike

The Ethics of Preemptive Strikes

As Arab armies mobilized along its borders, Israel faced immense international pressure not to launch a preemptive strike. She ignored these warnings and struck first. What are the ethics of preemptive strikes? What weight should be given to political considerations -- as opposed to purely security/military concerns -- in rendering such decisions? And how do these deliberations apply to the host of mortal threats that Israel faces today?

People of the Land

The Jewish Claim to Israel

The 1967 conflict resulted from the argument, espoused by Egypt’s Abdel Nasser and most leaders in the Arab world, that Israel’s existence was illegitimate, having been founded on stolen Arab territory. What is Israel’s response to this argument? What is her right to exist as a Jewish state in the heart of the Middle East? And what is the justification for associating Judaism -- an ethereal religion of beliefs and ideas -- with a specific territory?

People of the Land

The Jewish Claim to Israel

The 1967 conflict resulted from the argument, espoused by Egypt’s Abdel Nasser and most leaders in the Arab world, that Israel’s existence was illegitimate, having been founded on stolen Arab territory. What is Israel’s response to this argument? What is her right to exist as a Jewish state in the heart of the Middle East? And what is the justification for associating Judaism -- an ethereal religion of beliefs and ideas -- with a specific territory?

Exploring The Soul - Part 9

"Feeling Lucky"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 26, 2017)

When a coin is flipped, sometimes you win -- and sometimes you lose. The good thing about a coin flip is that you can win big. The not-so-good thing is that you can lose big too. But that's what leaving things up to chance will do.

Unless the coin is loaded. And you're guaranteed to win.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee you'll learn the mystical secrets to winning the Great Game of Chance -- every single time. You may not win at a table in Vegas, but you'll win at the really meaningful things in life. Like purpose, happiness, tranquility. And that's more valuable than a pile of chips.

Exploring The Soul - Part 9

"Feeling Lucky"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 26, 2017)

When a coin is flipped, sometimes you win -- and sometimes you lose. The good thing about a coin flip is that you can win big. The not-so-good thing is that you can lose big too. But that's what leaving things up to chance will do.

Unless the coin is loaded. And you're guaranteed to win.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee you'll learn the mystical secrets to winning the Great Game of Chance -- every single time. You may not win at a table in Vegas, but you'll win at the really meaningful things in life. Like purpose, happiness, tranquility. And that's more valuable than a pile of chips.

Exploring The Soul - Part 8

"Winning the Soul Lottery (It's Fixed!)"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 19, 2017)

A lottery is truly a fascinating thing. Think about it: you suspend your judgment and agree to follow the dictates of chance and luck. Names are placed in a hat, balls are put in a lotto machine, and out comes the winner. No logical considerations are used to determine the winner; not effort, ability, or deservedness. Just pure and simple chance.

Unless the lottery is rigged.

Sometimes, the winner is known well before the lots are drawn. Sometimes, as King Solomon writes, "The lot is cast in the lap" -- the winner is determined even while all the names are in the hat. In that case, the drawing may have looked dramatic, but there was no doubt all along.

The mystics love the topic of lotteries. It's so rich with symbolism, and holds so much personal meaning. In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore the spiritual meaning of the lottery, and learn why it is that our soul is called "goral," lottery.

Exploring The Soul - Part 8

"Winning the Soul Lottery (It's Fixed!)"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 19, 2017)

A lottery is truly a fascinating thing. Think about it: you suspend your judgment and agree to follow the dictates of chance and luck. Names are placed in a hat, balls are put in a lotto machine, and out comes the winner. No logical considerations are used to determine the winner; not effort, ability, or deservedness. Just pure and simple chance.

Unless the lottery is rigged.

Sometimes, the winner is known well before the lots are drawn. Sometimes, as King Solomon writes, "The lot is cast in the lap" -- the winner is determined even while all the names are in the hat. In that case, the drawing may have looked dramatic, but there was no doubt all along.

The mystics love the topic of lotteries. It's so rich with symbolism, and holds so much personal meaning. In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we explore the spiritual meaning of the lottery, and learn why it is that our soul is called "goral," lottery.