Moshe sent a group of outstanding 'Men' to spy out Israel. Yet we see that he changed Yehoshua’s name to empower him to resist their evil advice, and that Kalev prayed intensively for the same reason. Rav Noah’s pointed and realistic wit examines the Toras Chaim of how society affects us and what it takes to maintain our moral integrity despite such a powerful influence.
The fear of God is all-encompassing. Even though one is a scholar, deals well with others, and lives a good life, Heaven will still be critical when this core midah falls short. In this session, Rav Noah discusses the first level of fearing God, which is 'doing the right thing because of society's pressure'. We may think we are above this, but Rav Noah has us laughing at ourselves by revealing the foibles of human thinking.
What can God really expect from a generation light years away from the great spiritual heights we had reached in the past? Rav Noah demolishes every excuse with one powerful point - God, Who controls all powers and abilities, is surely backing us up to break out of exile. How come we hesitant taking the next step?
The letters of Elul stand for the love we have for God, and His reciprocal pouring back of Divine blessing. But what has He done for me lately? Rav Noah’s wit is sharp and to the point as he urges us to wake up to His presence, to His infinite abilities, and the plethora of blessings that we turn a blind eye to. Learn to notice the endless love flowing in our direction.
With Rosh Hashana only days away, it's a bit easier to get shaken into reality. What have we spent our time with until now? And what can we really do with the short time remaining? Rav Noach shares the bottom line for doing cheshbon hanefesh: to get a retrospective look at yourself, your life, and your year to come for starting out on the right foot.
The mitzvos of Succos assist us to reach the highest levels of joy. Where do we feel this the most? Rav Noah contrasts the levels of happiness we see in society at large to the depth of joy this holiday has the capacity to instill us with. A powerful lesson on what really makes people feel the deep sense of happiness they inwardly long for.
The war against the Greeks began when Mattisyahu brazenly slew a Jewish traitor. Why did it take so long for someone to stand up? In Rav Noah's last public address before his passing, he reveals the essence of his personal drive and vision - and the miracles that resulted.
We teach our children to pray, what's important, and which mitzvos they should perform. But how much have we really educated them? Rav Noah's sharp insights help us get in touch with our children's fears and foibles, yet keeping their Judaism fresh and relevant along the way.
Each person is more than an individual - each is an independent world. Rav Noah navigates past the roadblocks we erect in front of our potential greatness, and encourages us to reach within our own universe to change in a ways that only we are capable of.