Overcoming Folly - Part 43
"Lessons From a Corpse"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on December 26, 2021)

Of all creatures, only the human was created first as a lifeless body and then infused with a life-giving soul. Not the trees. Not the birds. Not the animals. They were all created alive.

Why the two-step creative process with human beings? Why do Adam and Eve begin their adventure lifeless? And what does this all mean for us?

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we unravel the mysteries of creation and learn timeless lessons from the first corpses in history -- bodies who would ultimately join the living.

Overcoming Folly - 43 - Lessons From a Corpse

In this shiur on Sichos HaRan #47 and 48, we focus on the need for constant reminders regarding the vanity of this world and the true meaning of life as well as bask in the warm glow of Rebbe Nachman's teaching about renewal and the need to stay away from "old-age", rather starting fresh - even multiple times a day!

We hope you enjoy this shiur! Please remember to share with family and friends!

Sponsorships for this series are still available. Please contact us for more information! Tizkeh l'mitzvos!

EXPLORE ALL OF LPI'S LIFE-CHANGING CONTENT HERE: lpitorah.org/

Class Trip With Rebbe Nachman #36 - Start Over, and Over, and Over, and... (SH #47, 48)

Overcoming Folly - Part 44
"Parallel Universes"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on January 2, 2022)

The Jewish mystics speak of realms beyond ours -- metaphysical spaces that exist in parallel to our physical reality.

Generally, there are four "worlds": Emanation, Creation, Formation, and Action. These realms unfold from one another. But while forward progress is made, the roots of reality remain in place.

In this mind-expanding session of Kabbalah & Coffee we examine the mystical landscape of parallel universes and come to an astounding conclusion -- that the lower the realm is, the more it reflects the ultimate purpose of existence.

Overcoming Folly - 44 - Parallel Universes

𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 ~ 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝐀 𝐘𝐮𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭 𝟓𝟕𝟖𝟐 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥

It is an indisputable historic fact that the Rebbe’s rise came on the Wings of a Ma’amer – the delivery of an original formal Chassidic Discourse. 

It was on the night of Yud  (the 10th day of the Hebrew month of) Shevat 5711 (1951), on occasion of the first Yahrzeit-Hilulah of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson that the Rebbe formally accepted the sacred mantle of inspired leadership. 

For many months prior, the Rebbe had already reluctantly, yet increasingly assumed the responsibilities of the revered saintly position. Yet, he never formally acquiesced or acknowledged it.   

Anyone learned can deliver a scholarly address with original thoughts or insights, and the Rebbe had already shared many such ingenious and inspirational talks.  Yet only a Rebbe delivers an original Ma'amer.  Up until this point, despite the pleading of Chassidim, the Rebbe had consistently refused to do so.   

On that dramatic and historic night. Things changed. Forever. With profoundly holy fervour and soul-searing emotion the Rebbe tearfully delivered his first Ma'amer: Basi L'Gani 5711 an original formal Chassidic rumination based on the Last Ma’amer of his predecessor. 

Each year, on this anniversary he would deliver a new and unique rumination - based on a segment of the original Yom HaHilulah Ma’amer, Basi L’Gani. 

The original Ma'amer was 20 chapters long. Each year the Ma'amer would expound upon and elucidate the Torah ideas that were found in the corresponding chapter.

This year we study the 12th chapter, and this presentation focuses on the Ma'amer the Rebbe delivered on Yud Shevat 5742 (1982).  

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

ENDLESS LIGHT - Yud Shevat 5782 Special

Two stories this week for Yud Shevat, the first about a mysterious mission given by the Rebbe Rayatz to three Chabad rabbis in Paris in 1947 and the second about another mysterious mission given by the last Lubavitcher Rebbe to Rabbi Yosef Weinberg who was given a box of matza to delivery to a Jew in a town he had never heard of and had no plans on going to.

Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/theres-a-jew-in-brooklyn-thinking-of-you.

To become a part of this project please go to https://www.patreon.com/barakhullman.

Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com.

Find my books on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman.

There's A Jew In Brooklyn Thinking Of You

Mastering Our New World 
Transforming Fear & Anxiety to Strength & Faith
With Rabbi Laibl Wolf
Internationally Acclaimed Kabbalist and Psychologist
Bestselling Author of Practical Kabbalah
Recorded Live at the Intown Jewish Academy in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Mystic and mentor Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf masterfully combines ancient Jewish wisdom with cutting-edge psychology to inspire and change the way you think and feel.

Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf of Australia has been a worldwide teacher of spirituality for almost two generations. He draws upon contemporary positive psychology side-by-side with ancient spiritual wisdoms to create a unique synthesis of past and present, reshaping people’s lives and values. Having trained in law and psychology, he is an unusual blend of Chassidic Rabbi, therapist and teacher, who has shared at the Fortune 500 Convention, the International Psychological Conference, the Gawler international Wellness convention as well as various spiritual and even Buddhist ashrams. He has been described as “a Jewish synthesis of Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and Steven Covey.”

Mastering Our New World with Rabbi Laibl Wolf

Overcoming Folly - Part 45
"The Great War"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on January 9, 2022)

The mystics speak of two forces that lie within every human being. A Divine force and an animal force. The former pulls us upward; the latter, downward.

And we? We are stuck in the middle. Our very existence is fraught with tension. The tension of being pulled in two different directions -- at the exact same time.

How can we manage the tension? How do we deal with the constant struggle between our higher and lower selves? Is there a way to satisfy both inner forces, or must we choose one over the other?

In this powerful session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we peel back the layers of our soul to discover what exactly is behind the inner tension that we all feel. After mapping the challenge, we then chart a roadmap for successfully navigating the great war of life.

Overcoming Folly - 45 - The Great War

THE YUD SHEVAT ADDRESS: Why it had to be a Ma'amer. The ONLY Change we Can Believe In!
The Central Yud Shevat Farbrengen 5782

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

THE YUD SHEVAT ADDRESS - Why It Had To Be A Ma'amer

All Access 
Exploring Judaism’s Approach to Mitzvah Observance for People with Disabilities
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on January 19, 2022)

Judaism is rich with values, teachings, and . . . practices. Many don’t even think about their physical ability to fulfill those practices, but what about those who physically cannot? Is the mitzvah of tefilin not for someone without an arm? Is someone with impaired hearing denied access to the beauty of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah? Of course not! Discover how.

Torah Studies 5782 - 16 - Yitro (All Access)

Overcoming Folly - Part 46
"The Sophisticates"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on January 16, 2022)

 Which is better, simplicity or sophistication?

For centuries sophistication was deemed the Jewish ideal. Understanding the ins and outs of Torah, being proficient in the intricacies of Jewish law, mastering the meditations of prayer -- these were considered ideals.

And then came the revolution that would rock the world.

Just at the time that the world was discovering reason with the Age of Enlightenment, the Baal Shem Tov started his own movement, known as the Chasidic Movement. His philosophy upended accepted norms, placing supremacy on action over theory and sincerity over sophistication. He championed the everyperson and in doing so uplifted a generation.

Its effects are felt to this very day.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we study Jewish mysticism and explore the pros and cons of sophistication and simplicity. The lessons we learn will apply to each one of us, and radically change the way we look at ourselves and others.

Overcoming Folly - 46 - The Sophisticates

The Intown Jewish Academy takes pride in offering innovative, inclusive, and impactful educational programs to all. People from a diverse spectrum of life find the Academy to be a warm and non-judgmental community in which to experience the richness and authenticity of Jewish learning and heritage. 
~
Support our work!
http://intownjewishacademy.org/donate

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.

Yaakov Klein is a lecturer, musician, and the author of "Sparks from Berditchov" and "Sunlight of Redemption"(Feldheim). He lives in Yerushalayim with his wife Shira and their son Shmuel Shmelke, where he devotes his time to spreading the inner light of Torah through his books, articles, shiurim, and music. In May 2020, Yaakov founded the Lost Princess Initiative, an organization devoted to spreading the inner light of Torah with am Yisrael which he directs - based on the theological foundation presented in his latest book, "The Story of Our Lives."

New tracks tagged #rebbe