Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World

Trends in Society Today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Brief History of Light Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your Are Unique Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Book Of Exodus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Way-Out Tefillin Torahs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "Death" of Yaakov Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Illuminating the miraculous before us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Unfolding of Truth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,Getting ready for Hanukah! Let’s light up the darkness together!The post Hanukah – The Fixing of Randomness first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Hanukah – The Fixing of Randomness first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Greatness of Benjamin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harmonizing Yourself with the universe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Path to Truth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Relationship between Avraham and Adam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Succah is the most unbelievable structure. Not only is it a miniature of heaven and earth — it’s a also a guide to what a perfected world looks like! In addition, it also contains a time line of the history of the world — from before the world was created until the complete redemption. Not bad, for a few sheets and some palm fronds! The question is — how??? In this week’s talk we explore these ideas, and also explain how the Tree of Knowledge was heroic, and the Torah’s concept of beauty.The post The Succah – Microcosm of Time and Space first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Succah – Microcosm of Time and Space first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of the Individual Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Succos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Understanding Free Choice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspiration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Have a Relationship with Hashem Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Overcoming Guilt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

G-d is NOT waiting to Zap you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making a Personal Connection with G-d Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to React in the Moment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tisha B'Av has a duel nature. On the one hand, it is the saddest day of the year. On the other hand, our Sages teach that there is light contained within it that is of the Messianic level. How are we to react? And what does it tell us about living as Jews in general? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How You Feel is What You See Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healing the Contradictions in our Lives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kabalah of Circumcision Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Deeper Understanding of Exile Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends, Our Sages teach that all the righteous people of the world, and every Jew has a place in heaven.  But what is heaven?  It is a place?  A state of mind, a physical reality?  Do you remain you there?  Or is it is some  ethereal realm where we cease to be us and…The post Yippee, I’m Going to Heaven! first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop Worrying Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,The question is, are you fighting a battle you’ve already won? So many of us find ourselves addicted to struggle. We can’t take “yes” for an answer! Sometimes we have to work hard to achieve, other times we have to recognize that we can’t have it all, no matter what the guy holding the beer bottle with the nice tan in the commercial is saying. The key is knowing when to strive, and when to be samay’ach b’chelco, happy with our lot. We look at Korach, the spies, and ourselves, to try to map out some of the keys to human nature and figure out what is normal.The post Spiritual Anatomy – Understanding Ourselves from the Inside Out first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Spiritual Anatomy – Understanding Ourselves from the Inside Out first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,We explore the inevitability of questioning yourself in life and how to stay connected to your roots even as you become your own person. Also, more teachings this week from Reb Shlomo Carlebach on what it means to light a fire in your heart, and the Ishbitzer Rebbe on what we were really asking for when we wanted meat in the desert.The post Overcoming Self-Doubt first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Overcoming Self-Doubt first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,After we got the Torah at Mount Sinai, the Rabbis teach that we reached the level of Adam and Eve before they ate from the Tree of Knowledge. The question is, why didn’t the final fixing happen then and there? To answer, we revisit what went on in the Garden of Eden before the snake showed up, and what that has to do with our lives today.The post Life At the Top first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Life At the Top first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,The world needs more deep Torah. I feel privileged to present Reb Shlomo Carlebach giving over the Ishbitzer Rebbe on the first three words of Parshas Bechukosai. The standard translation is “If you walk in My ways..” Hashem promises all sorts of blessings. But it’s so much deeper than that. What the Ishbitzer reveals here is the secret to how to shine. This means not just how to emanate a holy glow, but how to ensure that after you complete an action that it continues to reverberate through the world with positive consequences.The post The Ishbitzer Rebbe on “How To Shine” first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Ishbitzer Rebbe on “How To Shine” first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,A good heart is a great thing! In this week’s talk we look at a bunch of different topics, including an analysis of the heart based on the sefirah count, stories about Log B’Omer, my last conversation with Reb Shlomo Carlebach, and demystifying “brilliant” speakers.The post A Good Heart first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post A Good Heart first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,Why was Moshe selected to get the Torah on the top of Mount Sinai and not you or me? The question itself is kind of mind blowing, it isn’t mine, it’s Reb Shlomo Carlebach’s. The answer takes us to the depths of what it means every time we immerse ourselves in deep learning.The post Why Did Moshe Get the Torah? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Why Did Moshe Get the Torah? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,Speech creates reality. Our Sages teach that Hashem spoke the world into being. Reb Shlomo Carlebach said it’s even deeper than that. Hashem actually sang the world into existence. In this week’s talk we look into the power of speech, how to tie your shoes according to the Torah, what the first Divine directive was, and further adventures of the letter Beis inside the letter Pay (see chart).The post Singing the World into Existance first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Singing the World into Existance first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For most of us, waiting is the hardest part. And yet when we look at our lives, so much of it is filled with waiting. Or is it? Sometimes, maybe even often, we confuse waiting with living. During this time of the year, between Passover and receiving the Torah, we have a special mitzvah not just to count the days until we get to our destination, but to actually bless the waiting! How do we do that? We discuss it in this week’s talk.The post Freedom and Forgiveness first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Freedom and Forgiveness first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,There is so much going on!! We are in the awesome holy month of Nissan, which marks the beginning of the universe and the dedication of the Holy Tabernacle which was a microcosm of the universe. It is also the month that the Jews leave Egypt. In this talk we explore a number of ideas — including the interrelationship of freedom and forgiveness, the souls of Noach and Moshe, and the nature of miracles and human effort. By the way, Sir Isaac Newton was fascinated by the Holy Temple and felt that understanding the dimensions of it were the key to grasping the shape of the universe.The post Mixing Fire – Pesach 2010 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Mixing Fire – Pesach 2010 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Maze Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,What does it mean to unify the Name Yud kay with Vav kay? What does it mean that every Parsha in the book of Shemos/Exodus starts with the letter vav except the final one which starts with the letter aleph? How is the first word of the Torah — Breisheet — a microcosm of human history? How do we go about revealing the hidden? Lots and lots of ideas in this week’s talk!The post Unifying the Name of Hashem first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Unifying the Name of Hashem first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somewhere between the hidden and the revealed, between the great salvations of Purim and Pesach, between yesterday and tomorrow, lie our lives. The post Basic Faith – Wheaties for the Soul first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Basic Faith – Wheaties for the Soul first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Purim is all about things flipping over for the good, I thought it would be cool to look at the word Purim in At Bash to see what new levels we can uncover. Lots of interesting concepts, including an explanation of the philosophy of the At Bash system itself.The post Purim in “At Bash” – Through the Looking Glass first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Purim in “At Bash” – Through the Looking Glass first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most remarkable passages in the Torah is when Mordecai turns to Queen Esther and says, rest assured that Hashem is going to save the Jewish people — the only question is are you going to be part of it? (4:13) Using this passage as a springboard we look into the parameters of free choice and how Mordecai’s words still echo in our lives today.The post Does Free Choice Exist? – Purim 2010 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Does Free Choice Exist? – Purim 2010 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tons of ideas in the this one relating to Purim, happiness, purity, hiddeness, acceptance of Torah, gematria, pregnancy, bris mila, butterflies, and hope. Nothing compares to Purim!!!!The post Purim – Holiday of Secrets first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Purim – Holiday of Secrets first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,“Who is G-d? What is G-d?” This week’s talk begins with that question and evolves from there! Join us for a free wheeling tour through ideas ranging from basic beliefs to the giving of the Torah to achieving harmony in a world where all of us are given certain desires in our hearts and then told not to act upon them! What sense does that make? A lot actually, as we explore the role human beings play in restoring balance to the universe.The post Achieving Harmony first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Achieving Harmony first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,When we received the Torah at Mount Sinai, Hashem looked at the pureness of our hearts and asked, who will guarantee that our hearts will remain like this always? We said that “we” would guarantee it. But the Gemara teaches (Avodah Zarah 5a) that that was the wrong answer! We should have said “Hashem, You guarantee that we stay this way!” Contained here is a fundamental lesson about gratitude and how to avoid the trap of relating to ourselves when we are really trying to connect with G-d.The post Who Will Guarantee Our Hearts Will Remain Pure? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Who Will Guarantee Our Hearts Will Remain Pure? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,Our Holy tradition teaches that Hashem created the world with the letters of the aleph-bais. With this in mind, our Sages teach in the Talmud (Shabbos 104) that there is a system called A”t B”ash where we reimagine words by exchanging the last letter of the alphabet for the first letter, the second to last letter of the alphabet for the second letter and so on. More than just “playing games” to derive new spellings, the Sages are offering us a new portal into accessing the infinity of the Torah. In this talk we deeply explore the geometry of this world and the next, and the opportunities available to us only in the here and now.The post Portals To Other Dimensions first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Portals To Other Dimensions first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To understand the nature of the Purim miracle is to understand life itself. In this week’s talk we look into it, while first beginning with an appreciation of what it means that historically the events of Purim transpired during the holiday of Passover.The post Understanding The Miracle of Purim first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Understanding The Miracle of Purim first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear Friends,How many wings does an angel have? This may sound like the most esoteric of questions, but the Torah actually tells us the answer — and even better how many they have today (hint – two fewer). We also discuss the story of Yoseph and how he prepared for his fateful encounter with his brother before he was sold.The post How Many Wings Does an Angel Have? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post How Many Wings Does an Angel Have? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.