Rabbi Noah Weinberg zt"l was the dean and founder of Aish HaTorah International. Over the last 40 years, his visionary educational programs have brought hundreds of thousands of Jews closer to their heritage.
Being able to still mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash is in itself our greatest comfort. Why so? Rabbi Weinberg points out the degree of jadedness we suffer - to the extent of not even noticing other people’s incredible pain. Hear the insensitivity shared by both.
Fast days commemorate a specific event in history. They are also a special time for introspection, change & correction. Hear Rav Noah's account of what the 10th of Teves is about, and our opportunity to affect a tikun.
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.
Rebbi Eliezer was an exceptionally brilliant sage. Yet till the age of 27 his brain was on pause. His great desire to learn Torah was expressed the only way he knew how, by crying. Learn what it takes to really really cry - till your deepest longing becomes a vivid reality. Rav Noah also shares how Aish HaTorah’s name was born.
Do you believe in the Torah's innate power to affect personal change? Hear how the Torah's prototype, Rabbi Akiva, was transformed from an ignoramus to the leader of the Jewish People. Rav Noah shows each of us how we have achieved much more than we realize, and how much change is within our reach during the month before Rosh Hashanah.
Were we to envision the ultimate relationship between us and God, it would be the goal of a husband and wife. As the first days of the year approach, it behooves us to ask ourselves what are the feelings and longings that drive us. Rav Noah shows that our hearts are awake - though we may be fast asleep. A powerful short talk to keep in mind during the shofar's call to us. 10 min.
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.
Has the thought ever occurred that because of all our illogical, senseless choices, we're really a bit insane - living in an insane world? And if we'd wonder if being more observant might be a practical way to find peace and happiness, how come we don’t consider it? Could it be that we might unknowingly be professing a belief in God? So who's drum are we marching to anyway?
What are you really living for? Hear one of Rav Noah's engaging Elulshmoozen for extra chizuk, inspiration and a new approach for changing gears. Start the month of teshuva one step ahead.
The Ten Days of Teshuvah, which culminate on Yom Kippur, is the time to speed up the job of clearing the decks, So don't let the past weigh you down says Rabbi Weinberg. But how? If we have many mistakes to regret, won't we just give up? Hear the seven preparatory steps for a good head start to bring about lasting changes.