This Jewish Life - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

About 2,200 years ago, the Jewish Nation faced an existential threat: The Assyrian Greek Empire led by Antiochus and his Hellenist henchmen undertook a concerted campaign to systematically eradicate the Jewish religion. They sought to make the Jews forget the Torah and depart from the mitzvos; they defiled the Temple; they harassed the Jewish daughters; and they banned the observance of many mitzvos on pain of death. But the Almighty did not forsake His people. He stood up for them in their time of sorrow; He waged their wars; He judged the judgement; He avenged their vengeance; and aided the Jews to total victory over their Greek overlords. To remember that miracle, and the miracle of the oil that lasted 8x its intended length, the Sages established the 8-day holiday of Chanukah. In this podcast we survey the history, themes, and laws of Chanukah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

The Yetzer Hara is the villain of our life. It’s other names are the “satan” and the “angel of death”. It seeks to undermine us and inhibit us from accomplishing our life’s mission. thankfully, the Sages of the Talmud offered us a multitude of strategies and tactics to combat and resist this deadly force. In this podcast we will try to suggest a general theorem that underpins all of their suggestions. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Podcast is dedicated in loving memory of my grandmother, Rebbetzin Rivka Wolbe, a true woman of valor; a princess; a woman of sterling and noble character and stoic resolve. Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

“’In a Sukkah shall you dwell for seven days’ – The Torah is instructing us to leave our permanent dwelling and move into a temporary dwelling.” (Talmud Sukkah 2a). A mere five days after Yom Kippur, we are instructed to abandon our permanent home and move into a makeshift hut and live there for seven days. In addition we are commanded to shake the Four Species on Sukkos; and there is a fascination with the Seventy Nations of the world and their ultimate downfall. The question can be raised: On Yom Kippur we successfully gained atonement and have been cleansed from all traces of sin and imperfection. What about our character is yet imperfect that we must fix with the mitzvah of the Sukkah? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

Prayer is a central tenet of our religion, and comprised a hefty chunk of its rituals. The Mishna (Pirkei Avos 1:2) delineates the three things upon which the world stands – meaning that without it the world would cease existing – and lists prayer together with Torah study and kindness. Yet prayer is a mitzvah that is difficult to fulfill and connect to. It often feels awkward, unnatural, and tedious. In this podcast we offer a perspective that may succeed in transforming our perspective on prayer and thereby accelerating and deepening our relationship with the Almighty. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

Yom Kippur marks the final day of the Ten Days of Repentance. On this day all our efforts are focused on repenting and earning atonement for all our sins and getting sealed into the Book of Life for the upcoming year. In this podcast we analyze the notion of repentance in general, the difference between the repentance of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and learn some timely tactics to ensure that we make the most of this incredibly auspicious day. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

Rosh Hashana is both the day of judgement on our deeds of the previous year and the day of new hopes and new beginnings for the year to come. The responsibilities – and the opportunities – of the day are so significant that we must be ready and prepared for it. In this podcast we delve into the essence of the day and the ways to maximize its potency. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

Besides being a critical mitzvah, to rebuke or criticize someone who is acting improperly is a vital skill that every leader (boss, parent) needs to know how to wield effectively. Our sages tell us that there are two ways to criticize, one that works and one that does not. On the precipice of Tisha B’Av, when Jews focus on improving interpersonal relationships, it is appropriate to learn how to critique effectively. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

Shavuos marks the time of the giving of the Torah and the climax of the nation building that began with the Exodus. In this podcast we offer a broad overview of the meaning of this Festival and its various themes. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

Jewish parents a double responsibility: We must raise mature, healthy children who will turn into productive adults, and to instill within our children the values of Torah and Judaism. Though this is a second obligation, as Jews we also benefit from the Torah’s guidelines of how to educate them, and in this podcast we hope to convey the ten overarching principles of Jewish parenting. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.

The Torah provides four verses that describe the appropriate conversations fathers should have with their sons on Pesach Eve. The Haggadah explains that each conversation refers to a different type of son. There is a distinct dialogue with the wise son, the wicked son, the simple son, and the son who does not know how to ask. In this podcast we attempt to glean valuable parenting lessons that will enhance our Pesach and our relationships with our children. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast by Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.