The Public Menorah
Is All Publicity Good Publicity?

In the 1970s, when Chabad began erecting large Chanukah menorahs in public places, a number of Jewish organizations objected to this practice and filed lawsuits against it. This debate brought into sharp relief differing approaches within the Jewish community regarding how to preserve and express Jewish identity in the modern world. This lesson also confronts the question: In light of the Jewish historical experience as a "minority religion," should Jews advocate for a more secular society? Or, does an irreligious society actually pose the greater threat to our Jewishness, and to a civil society in general?

Great Debates in Jewish History - Lesson 6

Overcoming Folly - Part 15
"When the Moon Complained"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on April 25, 2021)

Once upon a time, the moon was big and bright. In fact, it was as big and bright as the sun. It shone of its own light, and it ruled in the sky.

But the moon was not alone. There was another sovereign orb, a shining star that rivaled the moon's light. This rival was none other than the sun.

So the moon came before G-d and lodged a complaint. "Two rulers cannot rule one kingdom," the moon declared. "This town ain't big enough for the both of us. Something needs to change!"

"I agree," said G-d. "So now go diminish yourself!"

And from then on, the moon lost its light.

This, the Talmud says, is the origin story of the moon, a celestial body that reflects a light not its own and waxes and wanes through its monthly sky dance. And this tale contains powerful insights about the nature of existence and the purpose of our lives.

In this absolutely magnificent session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we explore the Kabbalah of the moon, the sun, the complaint, and the aftermath. You will never look at the sky the same again!

Overcoming Folly - 15 - When the Moon Complained

Overcoming Folly - Part 16
"The Kabbalah of Investing"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on May 9, 2021)

Etched on the glass bottles of yesteryear were the words "No Deposit, No Return." The meaning was that if you wanted your bottle deposit back, you had to return the empty bottle to the store.

But this phrase speaks a powerful truth in our lives as well. To achieve a great payoff requires an equally great investment. Profit only comes to those who have skin in the game. No deposit, no return.

The Kabbalists reveal a similar truth in the cosmic realms. To achieve the greatest spiritual light demands a fierce spiritual investment. And as is the nature of investments, this process is fraught with danger and drama. Until, hopefully, it pays off, big time...

In this powerful session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we trace the origins of investing and discover the greatest bet ever placed.

Overcoming Folly - 16 - The Kabbalah of Investing

Overcoming Folly - Part 17
"Talking Birds"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on May 16, 2021)

"Polly want a cracker?"

There's something magical about a talking parrot. Hearing a bird speak evokes amusement and delight. But why the joy in a talking bird?

The Kabbalists provide the answer to the mystery behind our feathered-friend joys. And the secret they reveal touches on the primordial mechanics of the universe.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we take a spiritual look at ornithology and learn powerful cosmic lessons from the language of parrots.

Overcoming Folly - 17 - Talking Birds

Overcoming Folly - Part 18
"Happy Pigs"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on May 24, 2021)

The Talmud says something super fascinating: "There is nothing richer than the swine." Apparently, the Talmudic sages deemed pigs to be wealthy (and happy). But why exactly?

The Kabbalists provide an incredible explanation. Understanding the swine's riches necessitates a broader understanding of the mechanics of the universe, the difference between holiness and unholiness, and the nature of light and shadow.

These are exactly the topics we explore in this Kabbalah & Coffee. We see how the dualistic nature of reality leads to a state where swines swoon with joy -- and holiness harbors quiet longing.

Overcoming Folly - 18 - Happy Pigs

Overcoming Folly - Part 19
"Misdirected Energy"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on May 30, 2021)

The mystics speak about the flow of Divine energy. The cosmic life force flows from Above to below, from the realms of greatest spiritual consciousness to the realms of least spiritual consciousness. Throughout this process, the energy flows precisely where it needs to go -- to the spaces that are open and receptive to its influx.

But sometimes the energy can be siphoned and misdirected. Sometimes the flow of cosmic life force can find itself in spaces that are antithetical to its very essence, resulting in an infusion of G-dly energy in a space that seems quite unG-dly.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we explore misdirected energy, and learn profound insights into the nature of the universe and our own soul.

Overcoming Folly - 19 - Misdirected Energy

Overcoming Folly - Part 21
"The Power of a Mitzvah"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 13, 2021)

The Torah contains 613 mitzvot -- 248 positive commandments ("do's"), and 365 negative commandments ("do not's"). But what exactly is a mitzvah? Is it a Divine command? A good deed? An item on some cosmic spiritual checklist?

It's all of the above... and so much more!

In this very special edition of Kabbalah & Coffee, we take an unforgettable journey to discover the true power of a mitzvah -- and the impact every mitzvah makes. We look at the meaning of mitzvot in general, and also take a deep dive into the soul of specific mitzvot.

Overcoming Folly - 21 - The Power of a Mitzvah

Overcoming Folly - Part 20
"The Royal Feast"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 6, 2021)

There was once a king who threw a lavish feast. No expense was spared; the finest dinnerware was used, the most exquisite food served.

And then, in the middle of the celebration, uninvited guests arrived -- guests who would eat of the feast, even without the king's consent...

The mystics deploy this parable to speak to the inner workings of the universe and the flow of divine energy into the world. There are invited guests, and there are uninvited guests. Our job? Get on that guest list!

In this special session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we step into the palace to enjoy the royal feast and learn lavish spiritual and practical lessons.

Overcoming Folly - 20 - The Royal Feast

Overcoming Folly - Part 22
"Fighting Kelipah"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 20, 2021)

Kelipah is the force that obscures holiness within the universe and our own selves. It is the "shell" that covers the true essence of a thing, creating the appearance of something entirely different.

Our job? Remove the shells!

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee, we dive deep inside the world of kelipah and discover how to combat the obfuscating exterior of reality. We describe different types of kelipah -- hard shells, soft peels -- and learn the spiritual process by which we access hidden truth.

Overcoming Folly - 22 - Fighting Kelipah

Overcoming Folly - Part 23
"Revenge of the Dark Side"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 27, 2021)

If something seems too good to be true -- it usually is.

Sure you can cut the line, break the rules, play the con... but only for a time. At some point, the jig will be up. And when that happens, the house of cards you built will come tumbling down.

Spiritually, too, we can play by the rules -- or try to outsmart the system. And while the latter might seem to be an attractive and effective option, it's not a sustainable model.

In this edition of Kabbalah & Coffee, we look at the allure -- and danger -- of dancing with the dark side, and discover why revenge is darkness's only option.

Overcoming Folly - 23 - Revenge of the Dark Side

Overcoming Folly - Part 24
"Non-Binary Spirituality"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on July 4, 2021)

There is a realm beyond ours, a realm so wildly transcendent that our actions simply do not carry the same significance. In this realm "good" and "bad" are not as tightly defined as we might like. Which leads to a radical scenario where evil can rise above goodness.

As you might imagine, this Kabbalistic teaching has far-reaching implications, altering some of the basic definitions of reality. And it explains so much that puzzles us about the nature of reward and consequence.

In this edition of Kabbalah & Coffee, we discover a far-away, upside down world... that changes everything.

Overcoming Folly - 24 - Non-Binary Spirituality

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