Until his death in 1999, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg was Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore. For more than 50 years, Rabbi Weinberg taught in various capacities at Ner Yisroel, as well as traveling the world imparting his wisdom to thousands of eager listeners. He is the older brother and mentor of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, the dean and founder of Aish HaTorah.
Some said Rav Yaakov was way ahead of his time, and others say it was his pure genius, but he himself considered it little more than pure logic. Many years ago he spelled out all the causes, and the obvious consequences surrounding the unending struggle for the land of Israel. Hear a penetrating overview of the Palestinian issue.
What possibility is there that terrorists are exploiting the morality and decency of Western society to promote their agendas? For instance, they set up their innocent women and children as human shields and then viciously attack our innocents, while demanding freedom of speech to broadcast their hatred and intolerance? Rav Yaakov explains the irony of how blatantly the noble principles we espouse are being used against us, and that under the circumstances it may be ethical to adopt a more assertive response.
Rabbi Weinberg clearly spells out why Eretz Yisrael belongs to the Jews, and how the present unstable predicament is from our own doing. From the first line of Torah until today's headlines, understand why the struggle for its possession is an endless saga, and how we've become our own worst enemy. His explicit prognosis of events were given many years before it was seen as a problem.
What practical ideas and inner feelings should we be experiencing in awaiting the Moshiach every day? Rav Yaakov explains the Rambam's approach for developing a mindset that will lead to spiritual and emotional fulfillment. Hear what Moshiach will accomplish and the role he will play during the final days.
If all the generations before ours were unable to bring Moshiach, is it delusional to think we could be successful in doing it? Rav Yaakov Weinberg gives a fundamental understanding of what Hashem realistically expects us to accomplish, and how we might better direct our lives and efforts to achieve those goals. This class gives a refreshing clarity on as difficult topic.
Aren't people expected to tolerate everything today? The only thing not tolerated is someone who's intolerant. If so, tolerate everything - even if it causes damage or hurt. Ok, so where do we draw the line? Rav Yaakov exposes the hypocrisy of an attitude gone overboard, and how such freedom lead society to chaos. As always with Rav Yaakov, be prepared to be challenged. A valuable talk on human behavior.
What are the deeper implications of the humanist who is so proud to serve humanity for its own sake? According to Rav Yaakov, that elevated state, which is often adopted to replace religion, appears to be a noble philosophy to follow. But on closer examination this belief has dark undertones that usually results in greater suffering and personal debasement.
When the Palestinians offer us one kidnapped Israeli soldier in exchange for our releasing 200 of their condemned terrorists, the pill is very hard to swallow. How could we ever agree to sit at a bargaining table with such injustice? And why are they so brazenly sure we will accept such perverted demands? Hear how a Torah giant would respond - not only to make the best of the situation, but also to keep peace within one's conscience.
What in the world can be wrong with democracy? A lot, says Rav Yaakov. Brilliant and eminently logical, follow his rationale of the pitfalls in an open society that has no real sense of authority or leadership. Hear what the ideal form of government is, and why is it impossible to bring about such a reality in our modern world.
A person'såÊconscience will bother him when he does something that he's previously decided was wrong. If so, wouldn't it seems that he could rely on his conscience to warn him about whether something is in fact right or wrong? What is the down side of solely using the human mind? Then again, how does our power of intellect prove that the Torah is true, and it's code of moral law absolute?åÊ