Spiritual Surrender - Part 8

“Flying Too Close to the Sun”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, December 17, 2023

Greek mythology tells the story of Icarus, who was given a set of wings by his father and then warned not to fly too high, lest the sun melt his wings. Which is exactly what happened. Icarus flew too close to the sun, his wings melted, and he plunged into the sea.

Human beings have a little Icarus in us. We're driven to seek the light, to climb the greatest heights -- but sometimes, the high is too high, and the only way is down. Sometimes, we believe we're spiritually invincible, only to awaken to the sobering reality that we are mortal beings tasked with Divine responsibility in the here and now. And if we don't recognize this truth sooner than later, we run the risk of spiritual burnout.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we look at where the drive to fly too close to the sun really comes from. We discover how this desire took down the greatest human beings ever to live, and see how it is at the root of so much that ails the human condition today. Plus we learn powerful Kabbalistic wisdom on avoiding the fate of Icarus.

Spiritual Surrender - Part 7

“Modern Maccabee”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, December 10, 2023

It's the story we all know. The short version is, "they tried to kill us, we won, let's eat." The longer version is that the Syrian Greeks tried to squeeze Judaism out of the Jew, the Jewish people miraculously defeated a much stronger enemy, and then a little oil burned for a lot longer than it should.

Here's what I think. I think we know this story so well, that we stop asking the critical questions. Like, why do we make such a big deal about the oil, when the military victory seems like the main feature? Or, why were the Jews so bent on kindling the menorah with pure olive oil, when any oil would have worked at that point? Or why do all Jews observe the mitzvah of Chanukah in the most extreme way, by lighting the menorah with ascending lights?

There's a lot about this story that we take for granted. But we shouldn't. Because in these details, in these questions, lie profound insights into the very nature of Judaism and our relationship with G-d. Lessons that teach us so much about the art of spiritual surrender.

In this special Chanukah edition of Kabbalah Café we examine the story of Chanukah through the lens of Kabbalah, and come away with incredible gifts of wisdom and inspiration.

Spiritual Surrender - Part 6

“The Art of Surrender”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, December 3, 2023

"G-d, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

-The Serenity Prayer

Acceptance and surrender is one of the keys of a healthy human being. It is essential to sobriety. It is also essential to managing grief.

And yet surrender gets such a bad rap.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we look at the mystical notion of surrender, and learn how we can apply its principles to our spiritual life. The wisdom we discover will change the way you define spiritual progress, and motivate you to challenge your inner inhibitions.

Spiritual Surrender - Part 5

“Soul Mapping”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, November 19, 2023

Each soul is unique. Each soul has a distinct personality, its "soulprint." And each soul stems from a unique source Above.

The mystics describe this along the cosmic superhighway. Some souls are from Yetzirah, the world of Formation. Some are from Beriah, the world of Creation. And then there are the rare few souls that derive from Atzilut, the world of Emanation.

These latter souls are not like the others. They feel differently. They perceive differently. And their experience in the world is nothing but extraordinary.

Ever met a highly sensitive, spiritual soul? A soul that seems that it doesn't belong here. Then you might have met a soul from Atzilut.

In this incredible session of Kabbalah Café we climb the cosmic ladder and trace the origins of our souls. The soul mapping that we do might just change the way you see yourself, and your purpose of being.

Sunday Kolel

Year 2 - Lecture 14

"End of Life Issues: Euthanasia, Organ Donation & Brain Death"

With Rabbi Daniel Freitag

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on January 28, 2024

Advice for Life - Lesson 1

Meaning at Work

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Earning a living can provide meaning beyond the paycheck. Discover the Rebbe’s unique understanding of how work and financial decisions connect to life’s purpose.

Sunday Kolel

Year 2 - Lecture 13

"Bris Milah: Current Halachic Controversies"

With Rabbi Ariel Asa

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on January 21, 2024

Sunday Kolel

Year 2 - Lecture 12

"Cracking the Code: DNA in Halacha?

With Rabbi Gedalya Hertz

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on January 14, 2024

Sunday Kolel

Year 2 - Lecture 11

"Can I Drive My Tesla on Shabbos?

The Electric Debate"

With Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on December 17, 2023

Sunday Kolel

Year 2 - Lecture 10

"The Mistake of Mistakes:

The Beginning of All Avodah According to Chassidus"

With Tzvi Kilov

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on December 3, 2023