The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

What does it take to teach Torah effectively? What are the immense benefits of studying Torah with great diligence? What are the different modes of Torah study and what are the different benefits? In this deceptively simple Mishnah we learn about the power of commitment to Torah study, Torah teaching, and allowing Torah to influence […]

If our life’s mission would be distilled down to one idea it would be Kiddush Hashem (Sanctification of God’s Name). The opposite of Kiddush Hashem is Chilul Hashem (Desecration of God’s Name). Due to the gravity of these concepts, they are treated differently. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE […]

My wise grandmother, of blessed memory, used to quip, “Everything in moderation.” That sagacious advice is, in fact, the backbone of Rambam’s understanding of proper character. In every trait, there are two polar extremes, and both are not ideal. The balanced approach, the golden medium, the moderate middle, the midpoint between both extremes – that […]

How valuable is an hour of time? How much of a person’s life can be changed in one hour? In this mishna, Ben Azzai teaches us the power of a single hour. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please […]

Something dramatic happens when the Soul is fed. It is empowered and its place in a person’s identity is augmented, and concurrently the Yetzer Hara’s influence is weakened. A virtuous cycle results wherein one Mitzvah makes the second Mitzvah more likely. Initially, the Mitzvos need to be force-fed like feeding a patient who refuses food. […]

Does it make sense to take pride in one’s intellect, fitness, or wealth? Our Sages teach us that those things are determined before someone is born, and therefore it would be ludicrous for us to take pride in what was given to us by God. But in a seminal teaching, Ben Zoma reveals that there […]

What is the relationship between Torah and secular disciplines such as astronomy mathematics? In a pithy and cryptic teaching, Rabbi Elazar Chisma – a Sage who excelled in both – offers an insightful perspective. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Torah is unlike any other discipline. Every other discipline can be acquired without preconditions; Torah can only be unlocked by someone who has successfully primed himself for that lofty status. In this Mishnah, Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariah instructs us on what is needed before Torah can flourish within us. – – – – – – […]

Rabbi Elazar Ben Azaria got an unusual and controversial promotion at a very young age. Due to an escalating dispute between two of the great leaders of the era, the Nasi Rabban Gamliel was deposed and Rabbi Elazar Ben Azaria, aged a tender 18, was appointed as the head of the Academy in his stead. […]

In his fourth and final teaching, Rabbi Akiva shares a powerful and serious parable that is designed to shake us up and take life seriously but also contains the undertones of a very inspirational and comforting message. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In this pithy teaching, Rabbi Akiva addresses some of the knottiest questions of Jewish philosophy: If God knows what we do ahead of time, do we have free will? If God is control of everything, is the world judged fairly? Why are the righteous and the wicked treated inequitably? – – – – – – […]

In an astonishingly profound teaching, Rabbi Akiva informs us of the special role that humans have in completing the objective of the Almighty’s creation; and the amplified role that our nation has in effectuating that; and the tools that we were given to achieve that goal. – – – – – – – – – […]

Rabbi Akiva is one of the titanic figures of the Mishnaic Era. He served as the vital link transmitting the Torah that he studied from his predecessors to his students amid ceaseless oppression under the Romans. In the first of three consecutive Mishnas authored by Rabbi Akiva, we learn the keys to avoiding catastrophic promiscuity, […]

Rabbi Yishmael was the scion of one of the most prestigious families of our nation and a titanic Sage of the Mishnaic Era. In this podcast we share several of the fascinating stories about his fruitful and sometimes tragic life and explore the connection between those episodes and his teaching in Pirkei Avos. – – […]

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What are we living for? How ought we allocate our time? In this striking teaching we learn the difference between the faciliatatory and things which are end goals. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Eternal Ethics podcast is […]

Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa was a legendary Sage who lived towards the end of the Second Temple, and the Talmud relates many miraculous and inspirational stories about him. In this podcast we share some of those amazing stories, and connect them to his crucial life-instructional teaching. – – – – – – – – – […]

We put much focus on Torah study and Torah acquisition, and in this mishnah we learn about the other half of Torah greatness: Torah retention, which can only be accomplished by rigorous disciplined review. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In an unusually sharp statement, our Sages inform us of the severity of neglecting Torah study. The flip side is also true: Torah study is unfathomably valuable. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by […]

Why do we give charity? Is there a cap of 20% to how much we can give? In this mishna we learn about a striking rationale for charity, answer these questions, and contrast the two types of givers. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In Jewish literature, Torah is called the Word of God. In this mishna we learn about its ability to bridge the gap between man and his Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by […]

What rules govern what happens in our lives? In this mishna we find that there are really three different realms, and that it is possible to upgrade the plane on which we operate. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Rabbi Chananya ben Chakhinai says: One who stays awake at night, and one who wanders on a road alone, and turns his heart to idleness, behold he is liable with his life. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please […]

In successive teachings, our Sages share with us a way to usher ourselves into the Presence of the Almighty. It really is that simple. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]

What would happen without a police force to maintain law and order? Is there any other way to prevent society from crumbling without police power? These are the questions we explore in the somewhat unsettling second mishna of chapter 3. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

It is not often that our Sages offer us any kind of fail-safe formula. In the first mishna of the third chapter, Akaviah Ben Mehalalel provides for us a guaranteed method to avoid sinning. It is a good idea to listen carefully to his words. – – – – – – – – – – […]

There are many excuses to shirk our spiritual responsibilities. In the final two mishnayos of Chapter 2, Rabbi Tarfon rebuts them one by one. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]

Rabbi Elazar Ben Arach was the prized student of Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai, but he chose to chart his own path in life and not to join the rest of his colleagues in Yavneh. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

What is the optimal relationship between man and God? How is man supposed to view himself? These questions and several others are addressed in Chapter 2, Mishna 18 of Pirkei Avos. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider […]

In a short, succinct Mishna, Rabbi Yose shares timeless lessons regarding the proper way to treat other people’s money, how Torah greatness is a meritocracy, and perhaps the most central insight of Jewish spirituality. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

This mishna marks the first of three times in Pirkei Avos where the phrase “is removed from the world” is assigned to people who exhibit certain attitudes or behaviors. In this podcast we suggest a novel approach to explain that term. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In this Mishna, one of the most fascinating characters of the Mishnaic era teaches eternal lessons on how to deploy anger properly and how to ensure that our spiritual affairs are in order before we meet our Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Two thousand years ago the great Sage Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai instructed his five prime disciples to undertake a unique mission. This mission and their discoveries can still offer us life-changing wisdom. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please […]

Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai was the pivotal leader of the nation at a most vulnerable juncture of our history. His life story and his timeless lessons continue to inform and inspire nearly two millenia after his passing. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

What is really yours and what are you merely a steward over for the duration of your life? In this mishnah, Hillel reclassifies ten things by pulling away the curtain and revealing what they truly are. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In one of those life experiences we hope to never have, Hillel once encountered a skull floating on the water. His comment to that skull is enshrined in Pirkei Avos and serves as an invaluable lesson to us. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the sixth mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos, Hillel the Elder delineates the six levels of distinction, the means to achieve them, and their impediments. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast […]

In chapter 2 we meet Hillel the Elder again. In this mishna we learn the secret of surviving judgement, the differences between how God and man judge, and hear a clarion call for repenting before we die. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Imagine if you had God on your side in all your endeavors. Is there a better or more potent advocate? In this mishna we learn the formula how to get God to advance your interests. The steps are simple to learn but hard in integrate. – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the second mishna of the second Chapter, Rabban Gamleil III offers some novel and surprising perspectives on work/Torah balance and avoiding sin. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to […]

In the first mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos, the great Rabbi Judah the Prince offers indispensable life guidance. Who was this transformative Torah giant and what are his invaluable eternal lessons? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

The finalmishna of the first chapter sounds very similar to its second one. In it we learn the three things upon which the world endures which is quite similar to the teaching of the three things upon which the world stands. In explaining the distinction we learn a fundamental principle about the relationship and interrelationship of God […]

The next mantle holder of the office of the Nasi, Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, teaches us powerful insights on how to become a greater and more perfect person. שמעון בנו אומר, כל ימיי גדלתי בין החכמים, ולא מצאתי לגוף טוב אלא שתיקה; ולא המדרש הוא העיקר, אלא המעשה; וכל המרבה דברים, מביא חטא – – […]

In this Mishnah, Rabban Gamliel the Elder provides us with a powerful lesson that, if observed, will empower our spiritual lives. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund […]

In this concise teaching, Shammai the Elder manages to inspire and enlighten our understanding of accomplishing human greatness. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and […]

In the third teaching of Hillel the Elder, we discover timeless advice to maximizing life: If I am not for me, who will be for me; when I am for myself, what am I; and if not now, when? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In his second consecutive teaching, Hillel instructs us regarding the proper attitude to spiritual development and persistence, and the grave consequences of spiritual stagnation. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]

One of the great legendary figures in Jewish history, Hillel, instructs us to follow the ways of Aaron: To love peace and to pursue it, and to love people and bring them near to Torah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the tenth Mishna, the leader of the Jews Shemayah, a descendent of the Assyrian king Sanchereb, teaches us about the work, leadership and politicians. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a […]

In the Second Century before the Common Era, the Jewish world was in an upheaval due largely to various splinter sects, such as the Sadducees and Boethusians, causing internal conflict and confusion among the nation. The two great leaders of the Jews at the time had many challenges on their hands. In this podcast we tell […]