Rebbetzin Heller is a senior lecturer at Neve Yerushalayim College in Jerusalem. Amongst her many areas of expertise are the role of women in Judaism and analysis of the lives of women in the Bible. Rebbetzin Heller herself is an example of a woman who has managed to balance her responsibilities as the mother of a large family with her roles as international speaker and author.
Differences in gender roles exist. Just proposing to discuss such a topic ruffles feathers and puts us on guard. Rebbetzin Heller diffuses the tension and explains common misconceptions on how Orthodox Judaism views the feminine role. Hear crystal clarity on hot topics like female Rabbis, modesty laws, and women in the synagogue.
Is competing in society by becoming more masculine the only way to succeed in this world? Rebbetzin Heller offers an alternative way for women to attain a more satisfying internal success. She reviews the special commandments given only to women, and .also the commandments women are not obligated in, and shows the distinctions in style between how men and women pray and study. Hear how to reach greater fulfillment with a path tailor-made for you, instead of struggling to grow into a man's shoes
Rebbetzin Heller's approach to tznius goes far deeper than the dresscode. The difficulty of tznius in today's society, she states, is how hard it is to separate who we are from who we have become and who we want to be, which severely limits our ability for any meaningful change. She elaborates on the three areas which are necessary to grasp in order to return to your essence of thought, speech and action. Take note: getting in touch with yourself takes a little work, but brings with it the satisfaction and dignity we all truly seek.
Modesty's far-reaching parameters stretch beyond sleeve and skirt lengths. It is an expression of an intrinsic character trait that should be in place in the areas of thought, speech, and action. How can we learn to turn our egocentric focus outwards? Along with a lively question and answer period full of explanations for puzzling halachos you may struggle with, and lots of laughter.
Rebbetzin Heller examines the sensitive topic of mourning for close relatives according to Jewish law. Hear how the practices customarily followed during the first week, the first thirty days, and the first year reflect the mourner's personal values of human life. Also dealt with is a painful question - how does one mourn for those who have deeply hurt them?
Just who are we mourning after death? Isn’t the deceased now in a better place? Rebbetzin Heller examines levels of truth for overcoming whatever hurt we may have received at the hands of those we love, and how to view their negative choices. She moves on to discuss the laws of the mourner and the healthy and supportive environment that is created around them, and how this affects the soul of the individual who passed away.
In truth, life couldn't be any better than it already is for each individual. Hashem gives each of us the specific tools and tests we need to fulfill our individual mission. When we can grasp the profundity of this concept then we will realize how even a 'special' neshama is truly living in their best of all possible worlds.
Why did Maimonidies find it necessary to write a new set of books on the Jewish view of everything, knowing that the Talmud and Mishnah already has it all? From the first volume, The Book of Knowledge, hear a fascinating discussion on the core foundations of Torah, and how we can know for sure God exists - despite all claims to the contrary.
Feeling that God is like a brick wall to our supplications only points out how wide the gap between us really is. Tragically, our distance from God is so great that we also no longer feel the pain of the separation. Rebbetzin Heller's analysis of how to rebuild the relationship is psychologically astute, and practical in application.
Rebbitzen Heller looks at two very eager forces that masquerade within our character - anger and pride. Listen in to what their source is, how they manifest, and how we should deal with them.