To Bear or Not to Bear: The Gun Debate

The stories in the newspapers are heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. Another person comes with firearms and starts shooting at people. In a movie theater, a classroom, the workplace -- it seems to be the same horrific scene over and over again.

What ought we do about gun violence? Should we seek to change permissive gun laws? Should we alter restrictive gun laws? How do we balance competing interests? Should we let the evil of the few result in a restriction of freedom for the many? What teachings from the Torah are relevant to this topic, and how might they shape the discussion?

The Purpose of Privacy

Why It's Important to Control Where You Look

Your neighbors have a broad window in the front of their home, giving you a great view of what’s going on inside. Are you allowed to look inside and see what’s happening? If you think not, what if they don’t care? Explore the halachic take on privacy and discover a surprising life-lesson along the way.

The Purpose of Privacy

Why It's Important to Control Where You Look

Your neighbors have a broad window in the front of their home, giving you a great view of what’s going on inside. Are you allowed to look inside and see what’s happening? If you think not, what if they don’t care? Explore the halachic take on privacy and discover a surprising life-lesson along the way.

At a special Gimmel Tammuz evening of inspiration at Chabad Intown, Atlanta, Rabbi Lazer Gurkow speaks on "The Sacred Value of the Individual."

At a special Gimmel Tammuz day of learning at Chabad Intown, Atlanta, Rabbi Lazer Gurkow speaks on "Quantum Torah & the Lubavitcher Rebbe."

All's Well

A Fresh Perspective on Life's Miracles

When we look back at rough times and see how things turned out for the best, we become aware of the miracles in our lives. But perhaps the greatest miracles are the ones we are not even aware of. When we keep in mind the work G-d is doing for us, we can truly be at ease.

Haughty Humility

Healthy Self-Esteem in Judaism

Nobody likes the narcissist. It’s better to be humble and not to think too highly of yourself, it would seem. But knowing the dangers of self-loathing, perhaps there is virtue to haughtiness? Moses, the humblest of men and greatest of leaders teaches us how to find a healthy balance.

The Blue Thread

A History of Techelet

The Torah tells us to include a blue thread in the tzitzit. What is that thread all about, and why do most men wear tzitzit with only white threads? This lesson tells the history of techelet and the fascinating scientific quest to identify the species used in making it.

On The Essence Of Chasidus - Part 12

"The Secrets of Wine & Oil"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on July 17, 2016)

In the mystical imagination, wine and oil are not simply liquids.

You see, everything that exists in the physical plane has a spiritual parallel, which constitutes it's source and root On High. This is true of all things -- including wine and oil.

The amazing thing is that when you discover the spiritual source of a thing, suddenly it's physical properties make so much sense. Like why wine intoxicates, and why oil stains are so difficult to get out. It's an incredibly powerful "aha!" moment.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee you'll take a journey inside the dimension beyond ours, to uncover the deep secrets held by wine and oil.

On The Essence Of Chasidus - Part 11

"Breakthrough"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 26, 2016)

All of us are stuck in something. Maybe it's in our head -- the way we think. Maybe it's in our hearts -- the way we feel. Maybe it's in our actions -- the way we behave. But all of us are stuck in something.

So if we're stuck, and we know we're stuck, how do we get unstuck? How do we experience the breakthrough we need?

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we discuss being stuck and present ancient Jewish mystical guidance on getting unstuck. Achieving the breakthrough we need is doable -- if we just know how.