Why was Noah's first decision to plant a vineyard after the flood a big mistake - causing serious repercussions that we still feel today? On the other hand what would happen if the mistakes we make turn out to be 'positive'? Could such 'good' also bring about improvements in other peoples lives? Hear a valuable lesson on 'not worrying' so much about first developing your potential capabilities or talents - and just make whatever contribution you can and appreciate being part of history in the making.
In his light-hearted and practical way, Rav Noah Weinberg (six years since his passing) explains the core values within the classic work 'Ethics of the Fathers'. In the first chapter, hear how to secure a fence around your Torah, and how to apply the three principles the world stands upon.
One of the biggest obstacles in doing mitzvos is doing them without an ulterior motive or expecting a reward. Hear how to fulfill your mitzvos without keeping score, or to allow them to happen just by rote. Hear also how you can bring yourself within closer range of people who are truly elevated.
Moving towards having an open home means more than inviting guests for Shabbos. Rav Noah describes what it's like to have poverty stricken people as members of your household. He goes on to question why the mishnah says we shouldnÂ’t speak too much with our wives, which would logically imply a reduction in your love and respect for your lifeÂ’s partners.
Mesillas Yesharim is a classic sefer written by the 'Ramchal'. His simple, yet penetrating words have guided many seekers through the last few centuries, and have been a beacon of light in a world of confusion and darkness. Rabbi Noah Weinberg brings insight and practical clarity to this wellspring of wisdom.
Esther's dilemma echoes back to our own lives. Although the political climate in Persia at the time was quite dismal for the Jews, Hashem would have saved them regardless of her stepping forward or not. Rav Noah encourages us to step up to our own moments of truth, even if the chances for success appear slim.
Being drunk often connotes a lack of self-control and recklessness things Jewish consciousness is not very fond of. How could the early sages have instituted such an ongoing mitzvah to get drunk on Purim? Hear the underlying theme of Mordechai and Esther's plan to save the Jews, and how the window to peer at God's hidden presence can paradoxically be opened with wine.
Why was Moshe so reluctant to go back to Egypt to save his beloved nation? If we were given such a task directly from God, wouldn’t we jump at the opportunity? The answer to this question can be found in a different idea – why is it so easy to ignore, and fail to act on what we know to be true?
This Constant Mitzvah requires that we not only reject the existence of other gods, but that we also act in accordance with believing in One God - as the single Divine force that rules everything in the universe. And being a constant mitzvah implies there is a constant temptation to believe otherwise. We are always challenged to confront and counteract this destructive force in our lives and in the world.