We are still trying to survive the lives and times of the Hasmonean Kings following the Chanukah story...

In this episode we meet Shimon ben Shetach and his sister Shlomtzion, who happens to be married to the reigning Hasmonean monarch, Alexander Yannai... Will family connections finally aid in uniting the political and religious powers of the newly-expanded Judean state? Watch as an eternal leadership value materializes through Shimon ben Shetach's life, times, and teachings: Leaders Own Ownership.

What was the reign of the Hasmonean kings like? What happened when military victory was achieved, when prosperity actually came to the land?

Here we explore two great fissures in Jewish history; one at large, and one within the lives of our two main characters in this part of the drama of the Second Temple, from which we will learn our lesson for the day.

Have you ever watched a master stonecutter do his job? You should. Either way, we'll learn from one today.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the life of Yose ben Yoezer, who lived and died at the time of the Chanukah story and the rise of the Chashmonai rulers. But other fascinating, lesser-known social dramas were also playing out at the same time... We will discuss how these can and should affect the lessons that we can learn about Chanukah, and also what it can teach us about the best practices of moral leaders in our modern, daily lives.

On the assumption that stories are the best tool for deep, integrated learning, we will spend the next several episodes discussing the heroes (and villains) of the Second Temple period.

Today's episode focuses on Shimon HaTzaddik; we learn the most famous episode recorded about him, and how the stories usually leave off the incredible end of the tale, which is where we'll learn our important, global lesson in leadership for all of us today.

Here, we hear from Rabbi Cary Friedman, FBI Chaplain and Police Trainer. He recounts an incredible real-life story that he experienced first-hand and that, surprisingly, derives from a lesson he learned about Chanukah decades earlier.

Rav Cary and I draw out somewhat different take-home messages from the story he tells; see which resonates with you more (hopefully both!).

Posted after Chanukah but while we're all still in the mood...

The Second Temple: it was the best of times... it was the worst of times.

This first episode, released on Chanukah of 2023, takes us on a fascinating journey into the heart of the two most famous stories that Chazal tell us about the Second Temple period: the heroism of the Maccabim versus the complacency that led to the destruction of the Temple. From it, we will glean what just might be Ground Zero of Jewish Leadership:

Be a Troublemaker.

A *Good* Troublemaker.

A *Necessary* Troublemaker.