Talmudic Ethics - Lesson 5

The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded at The Torah Center ATL on Monday, August 14, 2023

When truth and justice conflict, which value takes primacy? May a lawyer lie or withhold knowledge in order to ensure a just outcome? Must one trust that the system will ensure an appropriate outcome, or is it the responsibility of those in the legal profession to bend the rules so that a fair outcome is reached?

Talmudic Ethics - Lesson 4

Words That Wound

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded at The Torah Center ATL on Monday, August 7, 2023

What happens when a playwright portrays a public figure in a negative light? Can the playwright be sued for slander and character defamation? Is there special protection accorded artists so that they may be free to create? Are their artistic statements held to different standards than assertions made in the press or in the context of regular public discourse? Or are all people equally accountable for their hurtful words?

Garments of the Soul - Part 8

“Mystic Therapy”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, August 6, 2023

Once, in the late 1700s, a young boy asked his sagely grandfather: "What is the purpose of mystical study?"

His grandfather, who was a leading Kabbalist, replied: "The entire purpose of Jewish mysticism is to transform the nature of a person's character."

Each person is woven of a complex spiritual matrix, which helps form the nature of our character. But we are not intended to be static creatures. Every living being must grow, and for us, that means to grow on the inside too.

Kabbalah charts a path of internal growth and change. And it is this path that is the focus of our conversation.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we explore two methods of personal change. We learn the fascinating account of where these approaches originate and where they diverge, and come to discover the sustainable beauty of the mystical path toward inner transformation.

Women's 9 Days Class

"Secrets of the Lost Ark:

Lessons in Loss, Resilience & Rebuilding"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Monday, July 24, 2023

This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 21, Parshas Terumah, explains where the Ark is hidden today and the powerful lessons this teaches us about loss, resilience, and rebuilding.

Talmudic Ethics - Lesson 3

The Right to Life

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded at The Torah Center ATL on Monday, July 31, 2023

A woman must decide whether to abort a fetus so that she can provide a marrow transplant for her dying sister. How can we balance the interests of the yet unborn fetus with the interests of those who have already entered this life?

Garments of the Soul - Part 7

“Studying With the Angels”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, July 30, 2023

There's an old adage that says, "Torah speaks to the terrestrial realm, and alludes to the celestial realm." Which means that while Torah guides us in very real and practical terms, it also contains lofty spiritual messages.

But there's another version of this saying: "Torah speaks to the celestial realm, and alludes to the terrestrial realm." According to this version, the Torah originates -- and primarily speaks -- in heaven. It just so happens that it also hints to the goings on in the physical dimension.

Which tells us something astounding. There's an entire universe of Torah that's studied above, by angels and souls. This is the reality that Kabbalah exposes us to. And this is what we will be exploring together on Sunday.

In this uplifting session of Kabbalah Café we go beyond the surface and study Torah with the angels. We take a biblical passage, look at it on a basic surface level, and then reveal its higher truth. Prepare to be amazed!

Semichas Chaver Chabad

Laws of Synagogue & Prayer - Part 10

With Rabbi Mendy Wineberg

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on July 18, 2023

Semichas Chaver Chabad is a yeshiva-style program designed for participants to learn the most important halachic topics in-depth, starting with the Talmud and continuing with the Code of Jewish Law and contemporary halachic experts. Each topic is treated comprehensively, with an emphasis on practical, modern-day application. Weekly shiurim are given by Rabbi Mendy Wineberg, a seasoned expert in the field of halachic instruction.

This series focuses on the laws pertaining to synagogue and prayer. Lessons will address topics such as: synagogue decorum, mechitza design, bringing guns to synagogue, eating in a synagogue, what can and cannot be done before prayer, and the meaning of the structure of Jewish prayer.

Talmudic Ethics - Lesson 2

The Ebbing Flame

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded at The Torah Center ATL on Monday, July 24, 2023

Families facing the imminent death of a loved one grapple to make end-of-life decisions that impart the final moments with dignity and respect. They wonder when medical intervention is morally required, and when it is excessively intrusive. Must life be preserved at all costs, or can it be permitted to gracefully ebb away?

Garments of the Soul - Part 6

“Perfectly Imperfect”

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, July 23, 2023

In the mystical tradition the human being is torn between two inner drives, one lower and one higher. Life is lived in a state of perpetual tension, pulled toward both selfishness and selflessness.

We know the score. Sometimes we rise and embrace our noblest selves. Sometimes, not so much.

It is in this space of frustrated internal discord that we find two profound and seemingly contradictory Kabbalistic meditations:

1. Our imperfection is by Divine design.

2. We can achieve perfection despite our inherent imperfection.

Which is it? Are we to embrace our flawed humanity, recognizing that this too is G-dly? Or are we to cut through the noise to find the pure, unblemished essence within, and activate its force in our lives? Which approach is ideal? Which is practical?

In this powerful session of Kabbalah Café we peer into the deepest teachings of Jewish mysticism to discover our true meaning and purpose. What we discover will change the way you look at yourself, and redefine perfection.

Talmudic Ethics - Lesson 1

My Brother, My Self

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

Recorded at The Torah Center ATL on Monday, July 17, 2023

A parent in the Holocaust struggles to decide whether to ransom his son from certain death, because he knows that the guard will seize another Jewish boy in his son's stead. Explore under what circumstances people may protect their own interests first, and when they must sacrifice themselves rather than bringing harm to another.