While studying at the famed yeshivas of Chaim Berlin, Lakewood and the Mir in Jerusalem, Rabbi Noson Weisz also received a degree in Microbiology from the University of Toronto, MA in Political Science at the New School for Social Research and his LLB from the University of Toronto. Rabbi Weisz is currently a senior lecturer at Yeshivat Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem.
When we examine the Rosh Hashanah Machzor the obvious themes that stand out are the malchiyos, zichronos, and shofros. Rabbi Weisz examines each in depth. What does it mean to coronate God as Melech? And how can we recall and reenact the faint echo of Adam HaRishon that expresses the place from where we wish to be judged?
While studying at the famed yeshivas of Chaim Berlin, Lakewood and the Mir in Jerusalem, Rabbi Noson Weisz also received a degree in Microbiology from the University of Toronto, an MA in Political Science at the New School for Social Research and his LLB from the University of Toronto. Rabbi Weisz is currently a senior lecturer at Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem and writes a weekly parsha page on aish.com. In this talk, Rabbi Weisz discusses the process of forgiveness.
In order to reach a higher plateau this Yom Kippur, break out of the mindset that all in all, you are doing ok. Learn how you can increase your aspirations, and how to view your existence as your neshama does, preferring to keep striving higher rather than simply remaining where it's comfortable.
Yom Kippur is the quintessential day of repentance. The embarrassment that necessarily results in doing teshuvah clearly shows how incongruous our negative actions in light of our innate greatness. The focused time we spend in repentance is a vital element for connecting to God.
Teshuva is the work of the heart, and difficult work at that. Are we supposed to view ourselves as steeped in negativity, or should we anticipate being designated as tzaddikim in the end? Rabbi Weisz examines faulty mindsets that get in the way of feeling true regret.
The structure of the 13 midos of Rachamim is truly a wonder. However, it is not a carte blanch system of unconditional mercy that side steps judgement. It is more along the lines of an emergency application for times when the world should have been destroyed. Rabbi Noson Weisz explores the Derech Hashem's perception of how this system works.
In preparation for Chanukah, Rabbi Weisz makes a comparative analysis between Greek wisdom and Torah wisdom. He delves into the ongoing battle between the two, and how the pervasive darkness of Greek philosophy in today's world can be isolated within our being. Put your thinking on cap for this one.
It seems to us when we are in galus that we have to do everything just like the non-Jews. When the Jews in the Purim story went to Achashverosh's party, they did no aveiras, but they forgot who they were, which was even worse. Rabbi Weisz explains the nature of galus, assimilation, and holocaust, and how we can avoid the ensuing destruction. This in-depth look at the Purim story through the lens of anti-semitism and galus is fascinating. Don't miss it!
If, as the Sages say, the point of our lives is to know God and to love Him, then it follows that getting to know Him is the way to reach our goal in life. What better way to get acquainted than by learning His instruction manual, the Torah. Rabbi Weisz examines the intentions that are needed to fulfill the unusual mitzvah of Talmud Torah, and how to fully appreciate the energizing excitement of coming closer to Him.
A tzaddik is ruled by his 'yetzer tov.' The rasha is ruled by his 'yetzer hara', and the 'benoni' wavers between the two. If this is true, how could Ravah, who was a huge sage and leader of his generation merely call himself a 'benoni'? Rabbi Weisz explains the esoteric concept of 'a righteous man', and the two diametrically opposite paths people can choose to reach God.