In the book of Numbers we read about the heroic actions of Pinchus who avenged God’s fury and murdered a Jewish leader who was publicly fornicating with Midyanite woman. The Torah accords him with much honor for his courageous acts. What is the deal with this? Are we allowed to take the law into our own hands and mow down sinners?

For more than three millennia now the Jews have remained steadfastly dedicated to Torah study. Even during times when 99% of their non-Jewish neighbors were illiterate, every man, woman and child in the Jewish community was able to read and write – and well versed in Torah. Jewish societies have historically valued Torah knowledge and study above all. The Torah scholar was revered, and the Torah ignoramus reviled; in Talmudic times the sharpest barb possible was calling someone a “reik” – an empty person devoid of Torah. What about the Torah is so critical, crucial, pivotal and essential that has fostered such an unyielding love and devotion? In this presentation, Rabbi Wolbe assembles some of the famous – and some of the more obscure reasons – why even in contemporary times the study of Torah is invaluable if a better life is what you seek.

What if there was a repeatable and formulaic method to achieving happiness? What if there was a systematic step-by-step instruction manual to acquiring, sustaining and deepening our relationships? Indeed, the manual for living – the Torah – takes our hand and guides us to achieving what we desire most.

Jewish law makes a strange distinction regarding the prohibition of envy: Envy of someone else’s physical, material and intellectual gifts and successes is prohibited, while envy of another’s spiritual achievements are permitted and encouraged. What is the rationale for that distinction and why does it mirror the prohibition of arrogance? We also learn that of the fine pattern strung through the Ten Commandments, why some always wear ties when praying and several interesting Heavenly proclamations made before a child is even born.

While humans have seemingly progressed, improved and evolved in many areas of life, in the arena of relationships we are comparatively neanderthals, and we are regressing. Surprisingly, a 3300 year old document will succinctly instruct and guide us in four sentences more successfully than all the relationships and self help books in Barnes and Noble.

There is a fine line between arrogance and a keen understanding of the brutal facts; between humility and delusion. Did Moses – the humblest of men – know that he was the Jewish greatest prophet? Is the smartest guy in the room allowed to know that fact without transgressing on the severe sin of גאוה, haughtiness? Join Rabbi Wolbe in grappling and pondering these important questions.

The deeper meaning and insight into the various holidays and festivals in the Jewish calendar.

Click HERE for part 1

We continue our exploration of the themes and insights of the progression of a Jewish life.

The words of our Sages in the Talmud were written with the utmost precision and exactitude. Thus, when encountering perplexing statements in the Talmud (as in the subject of this class) it is a grave error to consider that the authors made a mistake or even to only study the statement superficially without straining to understand the true meaning and intent. Often the wisdom of the Talmud is concealed beneath a thick layer of profundity, and only after digging fastidiously will you begin to understand the unfathomable depth of the the words.

In the very first book of the Talmud, Tractate Brachos, we find this incredibly confounding statement:

שלשה מעין העולם הבא, אלו הן: שבת, שמש, ותשמיש. תשמיש דמאי? אילימא תשמיש המטה – הא מכחש כחיש? אלא תשמיש נקבים. (ברכות דף נז:)

Translation in English: Three things are a measure of the World To Come. They are: Shabbos, the Sun, and tashmish. What does tashmish mean? If you say tashmish hamita (sexual intercourse), it weakens. Rather, it must be referring to tashmish nekavim (bowel removal).

Join us as we attempt to unravel this intriguing but puzzling gem of Talmudic wisdom.