Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 12
"Cracking the Code: DNA in Halacha?
With Rabbi Gedalya Hertz
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on January 14, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Cracking the Code: DNA in Halacha - Rabbi Gedalya Hertz

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 13
"Bris Milah: Current Halachic Controversies"
With Rabbi Ariel Asa
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on January 21, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Bris Milah: Current Halachic Controversies - Rabbi Ariel Asa

Advice for Life - Lesson 1
Meaning at Work
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Earning a living can provide meaning beyond the paycheck. Discover the Rebbe’s unique understanding of how work and financial decisions connect to life’s purpose.

Advice for Life - Lesson 1 - Meaning at Work | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Spiritual Surrender - Part 13
“Interior Design”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, January 28, 2024

In the last few sessions of Kabbalah Cafe we explored spiritual parallels to what by all accounts are fairly common domestic activities. We developed the connection between cooking food and tikun olam, and between laundering clothes and mitzvah observance.

In this session, we look at the mystical side of interior design. What does it mean to set the decor of the home, spiritually? What lessons can we learn from the way we perceive the value and utility of objects? And is there a Kabbalistic form of feng shui? 

Discover the deeper truth behind beautifying your living spaces!

Spiritual Surrender - 13 - Interior Design

Advice for Life - Lesson 2
Family Bliss
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, January 31, 2024

How can we create a warm and healthy home? Examine the Rebbe’s correspondences to uncover a goldmine of clarity on family relationships, domestic harmony, education, and creating a healthy home environment.

Advice for Life - Lesson 2 - Family Bliss | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Six Biggest Jewish Questions Answered
With Rabbi Judah Dardik
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Thursday, February 1, 2024

Rabbi Judah Dardik is renowned scholar and educator from Israel. He is the Assistant Dean of Orayta, and directs the Center for Jewish Leadership and Engagement in Yerushalayim.

Six Biggest Jewish Questions Answered - Rabbi Judah Dardik

Spiritual Surrender - Part 14
“The Soul of the Entrepreneur”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, February 4, 2024

What drives success? What motivates someone to push beyond ordinary limits, to stand up to challenges and persevere? Is it the power of a dream? Does it come from some inner need? Is the spirit of entrepreneurship innate? Can it be taught or learned?

The teachings of Kabbalah are unique in that they explore the human being not from the outside-in, but from the inside-out. Utilizing Kabbalah's unique template of the soul, the Jewish mystics are able to map human consciousness and subconsciousness, tracing powerful inner forces like motivation and desire.

In this powerful session of Kabbalah Café we examine the soul of the entrepreneur, and learn mystical life hacks for enhancing creativity and stoking desire.

Spiritual Surrender - 14 - The Soul of the Entrepreneur

Advice for Life - Lesson 3
Wholesome Health
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Discover the Rebbe’s answers for patients, physicians, and professors seeking guidance on questions of health and treatment. Explore the core ways that physical health connects to emotional and spiritual well-being.

Advice for Life - Lesson 3 - Wholesome Health | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Spiritual Surrender - Part 15
“Lessons from Peloton”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, February 11, 2024

The mystics teach that everything in existence can teach us a lesson about our spiritual purpose. Specifically, those things that we personally encounter hold a precise message for us.

Which brings me to the Peloton Bike, the darling of 2020 home fitness equipment. 

On the Peloton, the rider is in full control, with the ability to adjust cadence (pedaling speed) and resistance (pedaling difficulty). Those two numbers combine to produce the output, the power/energy the rider expends. Increase cadence and resistance, and the output goes up. Decrease cadence and resistance, and the output goes down. 

This expresses a remarkable Kabbalistic truth: the greater the difficulty of the spiritual task, the greater the energy that is expended to complete the task -- and the greater the Divine light that is radiated.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we take an incredible ride through Jewish mysticism and discover why, in our realm, it is precisely imperfection that yields the greatest output. Along the way we discover the true value of art, and gain insight into the ancient rent-a-donkey market.

Spiritual Surrender - 15 - Lessons from Peloton

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 15
"Battle of the Gavels
Arkaos: Civil Litigation vs. Beis Din"
With Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on February 11, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Battle of the Gavels - Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman

Advice for Life - Lesson 4
Healthy at Heart
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Explore how the Rebbe’s unending positivity offers a roadmap for building a healthy self-concept and navigating a contemporary world awash with anxiety and mental-health challenges.

Advice for Life - Lesson 4 - Healthy at Heart | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 16
"Civilians in War: Human Shields. Enemy Support. International Law"
With Rabbi Mendel Adelman
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on February 18, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Civilians in War - Rabbi Mendel Adelman

Advice for Life - Lesson 5
Above Adversity
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, February 21, 2024

When buckling under the struggles of health, livelihood, relationships, or raising children, thousands turned to the Rebbe for the strength to continue. Discover how the Rebbe guided individuals to see the inner meaning of their challenges as the key to managing them.

Advice for Life - Lesson 5 - Above Adversity | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 17
"The Halachic Prenup"
With Rabbi Adam Starr
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on February 25, 2024

Sunday Kolel - The Halachic Prenup - Rabbi Adam Starr

Spiritual Surrender - Part 16
“The Heel (A Spiritual Drama)”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, February 18, 2024

The heel, by all accounts, is the lowest part of the body. Yet it stands, in many ways, head and shoulders above the rest.

Say you're testing the temperature of a hot bath, or trudging on uncertain terrain, or needing to stand a little taller. Who you gonna call? You guessed it, the heel. And it's not just physical heels that have a surprising upside. Spiritually, the heel represents a dimension that is sneaky-lofty, so low that you think it's worthless, yet so valuable precisely because it's overlooked.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we examine the heel in all its permutations: human heels, cosmic heels, historical heels, even Divine heels. We learn what Jewish mysticism has to say about the core strength of the heel, and discover why our tradition teaches that Adam's heels shone like the sun.

Spiritual Surrender - 16 - The Heel (A Spiritual Drama)

Spiritual Surrender - Part 17
“Love Is Overrated”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, February 25, 2024

If you're judging by what's out there in literature, film, and music, you'd be sure that this crazy little thing called love is the key to happy relationships. Hey, all you need is love, right?

Well, the Kabbalists would like to have a word. See, as the Jewish mystics see it, love -- ahavah -- is but one ingredient in relationships. The other is yirah -- respect. And respect, well, that's the real glue that holds people together.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we break down the core elements of love and respect and trace them back to their soul origins. In the process, we discover how they can show up in both healthy and unhealthy ways, and learn why, ultimately, love is overrated.

Spiritual Surrender - 17 - Love Is Overrated

Advice for Life - Lesson 6
Spiritual Heights
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The Rebbe forged a unique path to guiding individuals on their spiritual journey; he set incredible goals yet remained remarkably practical. Discover how the Rebbe’s approach helps us realize our most profound potential.

Advice for Life - Lesson 6 - Spiritual Heights | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 18
"Will The Real Adar Please Stand Up?"
With Rabbi Dovi Barber
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on March 3, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Will The Real Adar Please Stand Up? - Rabbi Dovi Barber

Spiritual Surrender - Part 18
“Mr. Nobody”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, March 3, 2024

I know a man who calls himself Mr. Nobody. It's one of those nicknames that if somebody else calls you by it you might get offended, but if you've come up with it then clearly you like it. And he likes it.

The interesting thing is that this man is far from a nobody. He's someone quite special. He's a person with great accomplishments -- in his business and in his community. But he doesn't like to stand out. The good that he does, he doesn't make it about himself. He's in it for the cause.

He's not a nobody because he doesn't make an impact. He's a nobody because it's not about him. And that's a beautiful thing.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we look at the quality of nobody-ness. We look at what drives human beings to make our presence known, and where we can draw the strength to let go of ourselves and be a little more transparent. In doing so, we'll have taken on the greatest battle of all: the battle against our own ego.

Spiritual Surrender - 18 - Mr. Nobody

Women's Parsha Class
"Why Aharon Made the Golden Calf
The Key to Faith, Joy & Inner Peace"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Tuesday, February 27, 2024

This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 11, Ki Sisa, offers a powerful understanding of Aharon's involvement in the sin of the Golden Calf, and teaches us the surprising key to faith, joy & inner peace.

Women's Parsha Class - Why Aharon Made the Golden Calf

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 19
"Genetic Testing & Prophylaxis: Halachic Guidance on Preventive Health"
With Rabbi Mendy Lebowitz
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on March 10, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Genetic Testing & Prophylaxis - Rabbi Mendy Lebowitz

Spiritual Surrender - Part 19
“The Missing Letter”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, March 10, 2024

Hebrew, our tradition tells us, is the language of creation. It is the original language G-d used to create all existence, and the first language spoken by Adam and Eve. Every Hebrew letter is precise -- in its architecture, meaning, and numerology. 

So it's a big deal when a letter goes missing, when it vanishes in thin air. You might call it a scandal of biblical proportions, one worthy of a thorough investigation.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we will attempt to solve "The Case of the Missing Letter." We will lay out the clues, examine the evidence, interrogate the suspects, and -- hopefully, if all goes well -- discover a satisfying conclusion to this mystical mystery.

Spiritual Surrender - 19 - The Missing Letter

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 20
"The Hidden Mechanics of Bein Hashmashos"
With Michael Kleinman
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on March 17, 2024

Sunday Kolel - The Hidden Mechanics of Bein Hashmashos - Michael Kleinman

The Mystery of Gematria
Hebrew Numerology
Lesson 1: Numerology Mechanics
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Gematria is a Kabbalistic tradition that interprets biblical verses on the basis of the numerical equivalents of Hebrew letters. Until now, these teachings were locked away, reserved for those who could decipher the ancient mystical texts. 

Not anymore.

In this three-part journey inside the world of Hebrew numerology you will learn the rules that govern Hebrew numerology, gain the skills to decode letters, words and phrases, and discover astonishing secret meanings that lie hidden beneath the biblical text.

The Mystery of Gematria | Lesson 1: Numerology Mechanics | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 21
"Alternative Medicine in Jewish Law"
With Rabbi Binyomin Alon
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on March 31, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Alternative Medicine in Jewish Law - Rabbi Binyomin Alon

Spiritual Surrender - Part 20
“Spiritual Nihilism”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, March 31, 2024

We've all been misunderstood at some point. But what if that misunderstanding led to disaster, birthing a movement that would spin out of control and challenge everything you stood for?

That's exactly what happened to Antignos of Socho, a great Jewish scholar who lived 2200 years ago. One of his seemingly innocuous teachings spun out of control, creating a splinter-society that would challenge the authenticity of Torah -- to this very day.

The story of Antignos serves as a cautionary tale for all of us. It highlights the need to be super careful about not only what we say, but how we say it. And the Jewish mystics show us how.

In this session of Kabbalah Café we look at the power of words, beliefs, and relationships.

Spiritual Surrender - 20 - Spiritual Nihilism

Women's Pesach Class
"How Deep Is Your Egypt?
Five Steps to Inner Freedom"
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Tuesday, April 2, 2024

This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 16, Va'era, offers a powerful understanding of teh depth of Egyptian corruption on a national and personal level, while providing profound insights on the Haggadah.

Women's Pesach Class - How Deep Is Your Egypt?

The Mystery of Gematria
Hebrew Numerology
Lesson 2: Exposing Secrets
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Gematria is a Kabbalistic tradition that interprets biblical verses on the basis of the numerical equivalents of Hebrew letters. Until now, these teachings were locked away, reserved for those who could decipher the ancient mystical texts.

Not anymore.

In this three-part journey inside the world of Hebrew numerology you will learn the rules that govern Hebrew numerology, gain the skills to decode letters, words and phrases, and discover astonishing secret meanings that lie hidden beneath the biblical text.

The Mystery of Gematria | Lesson 2: Numerology Mechanics | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Spiritual Surrender - Part 21
“Mystical Tools for Managing Guilt & Shame”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, April 7, 2024

We've all done things we're not proud of. And maybe it's not something we did, but something we said. Or didn't say. Looking back, it's hard not to notice our missteps and feel that familiar tug of guilt.

Point is, to feel guilt about the past seems perfectly normal -- and perfectly healthy. Think about it this way: if we didn't feel bad about the mistakes we made, what would that say about our character?

A step beyond guilt is shame. If guilt is about what we've done, shame is about who we are. And that cuts deeper.

Whether it's guilt or shame, the mystics label both toxic. They are firmly in the "negative emotions" category, and we are taught to do everything in our power to avoid succumbing to their seduction.

So how do we deal with guilt and shame in a healthy way? Ah, I'm glad you asked! :)

In this session of Kabbalah Café we pop the hood of human consciousness and grapple with our deepest, darkest emotions and fears. We learn where they come from and gain Kabbalistic tools to manage them. Because they, too, have a purpose.

Spiritual Surrender - 21 - Mystical Tools for Managing Guilt & Shame

Sunday Kolel
Year 2 - Lecture 22
"Here Comes the Taxman: Jewish Law on Paying Taxes"
With Alex Dinur, Esq
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on April 7, 2024

Sunday Kolel - Here Comes the Taxman - Alex Dinur

The Mystery of Gematria
Hebrew Numerology
Lesson 3: Holiday Codebreaking
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Gematria is a Kabbalistic tradition that interprets biblical verses on the basis of the numerical equivalents of Hebrew letters. Until now, these teachings were locked away, reserved for those who could decipher the ancient mystical texts. 

Not anymore.

In this three-part journey inside the world of Hebrew numerology you will learn the rules that govern Hebrew numerology, gain the skills to decode letters, words and phrases, and discover astonishing secret meanings that lie hidden beneath the biblical text.

The Mystery of Gematria | Lesson 3: Holiday Codebreaking | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Spiritual Surrender - Part 22
“Welcome to the Tannery”
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded live at The Torah Center ATL on Sunday, April 14, 2024

Few workplaces enjoy as foul an odor as a tannery. It's because of this that the tannery, where animal hides are processed into leather, has a unique place in Jewish law. 

In original halachic zoning law, a tannery must be situated to the east of the city, past its outskirts, so that its odor should not disturb the city residents. A tannery is not to have a mezuzah on its doors, due to it having a similar status as a bathroom. And a synagogue that is in disuse may not be repurposed as a tannery; that is simply too far a downgrade.

Yet, the mystics are fond of employing the tannery as a metaphor for the internal work that each of us is called upon to do. Our Divine soul is tasked with working, softening and reshaping our body and animal soul, like the tanner who labors to make the hide usable. This is the very why and wherefore of our being, our central purpose.

In this remarkable session of Kabbalah Café we explore life inside the tannery, and discover real-life lessons for making our own inner animal more of a mensch.

Spiritual Surrender - 22 - Welcome to the Tannery

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