Best Avot Podcasts (2024)

1
What's the Right Way to Disagree? (Avot 5:17) 15:36

3h ago15:36

15:36

What's the Right Way to Disagree? (Avot 5:17), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss What is a "machloket l'shem shamayim" and why does it endure?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Bread Crumbs #11 - Pirkei Avot (Part 2) 34:40

21d ago34:40

34:40

Robin and I love reading and discussing Pirkei Avot - a collection of sayings and insights by some of Israel's wisest sages. This ancient writing is traditionally studied between Passover and Pentecost every year and includes sage advice by the likes of Hillel, Shammai, Akiva, Gamaliel (who was the apostle Paul's rabbi), and many others. In this ep…

1
Ramban on the Torah | 51 | Balak 30:47

3h ago30:47

30:47

Ramban on the Torah | 51 | Balak, by Rav Eli Weber Who, and what, was Bil'am?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Ramban on the Torah | 50 | Chukat 30:38

4h ago30:38

30:38

Ramban on the Torah | 50 | Chukat, by Rav Eli Weber What is so strange about Para Aduma? What's the sin of Moshe and Aharon? Was there kiddush Hashem in Mei Meriva?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Balak | The Book of Bil'am 29:52

3h ago29:52

29:52

Balak | The Book of Bil'am, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do Chazal credit Moshe with writing "his book (Torah) and Parashat Bil'am". What is "Parashat Bil'am"? The story of Bil'am has always inspired consternation. Amongst the mysteries unique to this narrative is one of setting - it is the only story in the Torah since the end of Sefer Bereishit w…

1
Refuah - The 8th Beracha 37:12

13h ago37:12

37:12

In this shiur we learn about the blessing for health, and we study the effects of Rabbinic attempts to safeguard the Nusach of Tefilah.

1
Why Does Hashem Test Us (Avot 5:3) 27:08

1h ago27:08

27:08

Why Does Hashem Test Us (Avot 5:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss What was accomplished by Avraham "passing" 10 tests? What's the point of it all?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 19) 17:11

1h ago17:11

17:11

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 19), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Tefilla as a Barometer of Authenticity and Spirituality; The Ba'al Shem Tov's Assur…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 18) 13:15

33m ago13:15

13:15

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 18), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Honesty, Humility and Integrity; The Search for "Emmet"; Avoiding Exhibitionist Fru…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 17) 21:03

2h ago21:03

21:03

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 17), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Was Da'as Torah Popular in Europe in the Non-Chasidic World?; Empowering Talmidim w…

1
Hebrew Key #21 - How Does God Destroy His Enemies? 18:30

3d ago18:30

18:30

The Scriptures frequently mention God's destruction of His enemies. Yet God's means of destruction may not be what you think! There are a dozen different Hebrew words for 'destroy' in the Bible, and they all have multiple shadings of meanings - shadings that affect the way the Bible uses them. Join us for a fascinating and enlightening journey thro…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 16) 14:24

2h ago14:24

14:24

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 16), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Symptoms of Religion Becoming Abnormal: Dismissiveness Toward "Ba'alei Batim", Not …

1
The Power of Habits - for Good or for Bad (Avot 4:2) 17:54

1d ago17:54

17:54

The Power of Habits - for Good or for Bad (Avot 4:2), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Why are habits (good or bad) so powerful?By by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 15) 15:37

5d ago15:37

15:37

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 15), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Calibrating Aspiration With Emotional Health; Interrupting His Son's Bar Mitzvah; O…

1
Bread Crumbs #13 - "Soul Clutter" 32:55

2d ago32:55

32:55

Do you find yourself fighting clutter in your living space? This is a familiar battle for many in this modern world. But do you also find your soul equally as cluttered? You may never have paused to think about it, but thoughts, emotions, urgencies, and myriad other things can clutter our souls to the point it is difficult to think straight and to …

1
Thoughts about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Chabad 33:55

6d ago33:55

33:55

Thoughts about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Chabad, by Rav Moshe Taragin Upon the rebbe's 30th yahrzeit, 3 Tammuz, 5784By Rav Moshe Taragin

1
Geulah - The 7th Beracha 42:00

8d ago42:00

42:00

In this class we study the Beracha of Redemption/Salvation, and we also discuss the concept of classification.

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 14) 16:45

4d ago16:45

16:45

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 14), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Predicting a Crisis in Western Civilization..35 Years Ago; Food Rationing in Israel…

1
Chukat | The Skirmish at Chormah 41:24

4d ago41:24

41:24

Chukat | The Skirmish at Chormah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When did this war take place? The brief mention of a war with "Melekh Kna'ani" immediately after the report of the death of Aharon raises questions about geography, the route that Bnei Yisra'el took in the desert and the larger problem of post-Mosaic additions to the text of the Torah. Rash…

1
Avot 3:2-3 (2 Distinct Themes) 30:24

5d ago30:24

30:24

Avot 3:2-3 (2 Distinct Themes), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss This shiur was given to the Women's Halakha Group at Kehilat HaEla (RBS) Civil Society and the Dangers of Chaos (Avot 3:2) Torah-Focused Meals and Conversations (Avot 3:2-3)By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
The Limitations of Ignorance and the Importance of Torah Knowledge (Avot 2:5) 21:03

5d ago21:03

21:03

The Limitations of Ignorance and the Importance of Torah Knowledge (Avot 2:5), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Can an "Am Ha-Aretz" be a good person?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Why is Being Liked by Others a Religious Value? (Avot 3:10) 57:52

5d ago57:52

57:52

Why is Being Liked by Others a Religious Value? (Avot 3:10), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Does Hashem only like people who are popular? This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh.By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Does it Matter WHY We Do Mitzvot? (Avot 1:3) 55:53

5d ago55:53

55:53

Does it Matter WHY We Do Mitzvot? (Avot 1:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Is it so bad if I do mitzvot for the reward? This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 19, 2024.By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Enhancing our Personal Kabbalat HaTorah 1:01:22

5d ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Enhancing our Personal Kabbalat HaTorah, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 10 of this year, in preparation for Shavuot. 3 independent thoughts on the holiday of Matan Torah / Chag HaBikkurim.By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
The Holocaust and Challenges to our Faith 1:00:11

5d ago1:00:11

1:00:11

The Holocaust and Challenges to our Faith, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given as part of the Ramat Beit Shemesh Women's Halakha series the week of Yom HaShoah 5784, on May 9, 2024. "The Jewish people are not witnesses to the miracle, we are the miracle." Emotional and religious considerations of the Holocaust, as well as of our immediate si…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 12-13) 31:08

6d ago31:08

31:08

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 12-13), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Part 12: A Strange Voice of Jewish Universalism; The "Meeting" Between the Besh…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 11) 15:25

6d ago15:25

15:25

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 11), by Rav Moshe Taragin A "Pintele Yid" or a "Poshete Yid"; Deveikut with Simple Jews; Grafting Trees; Don't Overhype Expectations; Inside Out; The Honesty to Say "I Don't Know"By Rav Moshe Taragin

1
6 Stories of Rav Amital Which Shaped My Life 52:49

6d ago52:49

52:49

6 Stories of Rav Amital Which Shaped My Life, by Rav Moshe Taragin On the power of a story. Sicha given in advance of Harav Amital zt"l's 14th yahrzeit. Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Oct 31, 1924 - July 9, 2010)By Rav Moshe Taragin

1
Tehillim Talks - Psalm 49 32:25

9d ago32:25

32:25

This final psalm of the Sons of Korach is one of the most difficult to translate. It is traditionally believed to describe Korach's wealth, which led to his eventual rebellion and downfall. The authors refer to this psalm as a 'proverb' and a 'riddle', but one truth comes shining through: wealth is a great hindrance to serving God fully from the he…

1
Ramban on the Torah | 49 | Korach 27:25

10d ago27:25

27:25

Ramban on the Torah | 49 | Korach, by Rav Eli Weber What was Moshe risking? What did Hashem create to kill Korach?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Korach | Moshe's Brilliant Response to Korach's Challenge 34:25

10d ago34:25

34:25

Korach | Moshe's Brilliant Response to Korach's Challenge, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why did Korach, in spite of his claim that "the whole congregation are holy people", agree to a test to see "which one" would be selected by Hashem? Korach's initial claim - that כל העדה כולם קדושים - seems to argue for universal access to the משכן and a nationwide …

1
Selicha - The 6th Beracha 41:20

14d ago41:20

41:20

In this class we study the blessing of Selicha, the 6th Beracha of the Amidah. We also study how the genre 'Selichot' evolved from Piyyutim designed for this Beracha.

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 9 and 10) 22:43

17d ago22:43

22:43

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 9 and 10), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: On the religious crisis in Pre WWII Europe; building a different type of yes…

1
Bread ("Cookie") Crumbs #12 - Avery, Ethan & Charlotte Smith 44:53

14d ago44:53

44:53

Join Grant and Robin for this first episode of "Bread Cookie Crumbs" in which Robin and I have a lively (and unrehearsed) discussion and Q&A with some of the bright young people God has brought into our lives. In this episode, Robin and I would like to introduce you to Avery, Ethan & Charlotte Smith - the three oldest children of our dear friends S…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 8) 20:35

18d ago20:35

20:35

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 8), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: The "Language" of Role Modeling; Do We Care How the Non-Orthodox View Us?; Does Here…

1
Ramban on the Torah | Naso 29:36

21d ago29:36

29:36

Ramban on the Torah | Naso, by Rav Eli Weber Why can we rely on the miracle of sota? Is a nazir doing something good or bad? Why does the Torah repeat the korbanot of the Nesiim?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Ramban on the Torah | Behaalotekha 31:19

21d ago31:19

31:19

Ramban on the Torah | Behaalotekha, by Rav Eli Weber Why is Aharon's lighting the Menorah comparable to the Nesiim's Korbanot? Why was Pesach celebrated in the Midbar? Why does Hashem stand up for Moshe?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Ramban on the Torah | Shelach 29:39

21d ago29:39

29:39

Ramban on the Torah | 1 Year Anniversary! | Shelach, by Rav Eli Weber Why doesn't Hashem stop Am Israel from sinning? What is the meaning of Moshe and Aharon falling on their faces? What does Moshe request from Hashem?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Shelach | Who is the Edah? 36:28

21d ago36:28

36:28

Shelach | Who is the Edah? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The interactions between the various actors in the dramatic scene when the scouts return from Eretz Canaan is hard to decipher. At what point does Calev separate from the 10? When does Yehoshua join him? More significantly, who "cries on that night" and who "wants to stone them" (Calev and Yehoshu…

1
Teshuva - The 5th Beracha 35:20

21d ago35:20

35:20

In this class we examine the development of the fifth blessing of the Amidah, and some problems with the old versions. We also briefly explore the Jewish theology of repentance.

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Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 7) 16:11

23d ago16:11

16:11

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 7), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Why is Gemara Learning So Critical? Vision and Discipline Are Crucial for Growth in …

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 6) 24:17

23d ago24:17

24:17

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 6), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: The Value of Torah Study; Providing Spiritual Leadership for an Emerging Community; …

1
Heaven & Hell in Judaism 31:27

24d ago31:27

31:27

What does Judaism say about Heaven and hell? What is heaven and hell? What are they there for?

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 4-5) 38:57

25d ago38:57

38:57

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 4-5), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: 4. How Should The Holocaust Shape our Questioning of Hashem? How Does it Affect O…

1
Behaalotekha | Where was the Korban Pesach Brought? 30:33

28d ago30:33

30:33

Behaalotekha | Where was the Korban Pesach Brought? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Was the Pesach brought at the beginning of the 2nd year brought in people's homes?! Although we broadly assume that, once the Mishkan was constructed, any offerings would be brought there; especially in line with Vayikra 17 which prohibits שחוטי חוץ - animals slaughtered o…

1
Fusing Justice with Mercy: The Secret to Maintaining a Flourishing Society (Avot 1:18) 22:26

28d ago22:26

22:26

Fusing Justice with Mercy: The Secret to Maintaining a Flourishing Society (Avot 1:18), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss How can we build a society that is both just and compassionate (hint: it's really hard)?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
The Value of Peace and the Virtue of Being a "People Person" (Avot 1:12) 14:22

28d ago14:22

14:22

The Value of Peace and the Virtue of Being a "People Person" (Avot 1:12), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss How does peace enable all other berakhot? And how is Ahron HaKohen the ideal role model for educators and parents?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

1
Daat - The 4th Beracha 36:55

29d ago36:55

36:55

In this class we study the 4th blessing of the Amidah, the blessing for Daat. Sometimes translated as 'Guidance' or 'Knowledge' - we explore how this blessing evolved from ancient times until today.

1
Behaalotekha | Ner Tamid 12:01

29d ago12:01

12:01

Behaalotekha | Ner Tamid, by Moreinu veRabbeinu Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l Divrei berakha to the talmidot of Beit Midrash leNashim Migdal Oz, June 2008 Take with you the the sense, the identification, with the Torah that you learned as something that is permanent, deeply engrained in your own being, not something that is marginal, peripheral, h…

1
Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 3) 21:52

1M ago21:52

21:52

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 3), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Religious Coercion and the Case of Brit Milah; A Chassideshe Story Applied to the Is…

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