Episodes

  • Introducing a New Podcast on Pirkei Avos (Chapters of the Fathers): Eternal Ethics

    Introducing a New Podcast on Pirkei Avos (Chapters of the Fathers): Eternal Ethics
    Oct 19 2017
    Dear friends and listeners, I am pleased to announce the launching of a new podcast on Pirkei Avos, Eternal Ethics. Pirkei Avos is the book of Mishna dedicated to giving us the tools to maximize our life, both spiritually and materially. Remarkably, this ancient wisdom was codified nearly 2,000 years ago yet is relevent and […]
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    5 mins
  • Human Fallibility and What to do About it (1.1)

    Human Fallibility and What to do About it (1.1)
    Oct 19 2017
    The first mishna of Pirkei Avos begins with attributing the first 900 years of the line of transmission of the Torah from Moshe at Sinai until the Men of the Great Assembly. The second sections is three teachings of those great men. What is the connection between these two parts and why was this chosen […]
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    29 mins
  • Three-Pronged Purpose (1.2)

    Three-Pronged Purpose (1.2)
    Oct 30 2017
    The second Mishna in Pirkei Avos features a powerful teaching from one of the pivotal and legendary characters in Jewish History. Shimon HaTzadik (Simeon the Righteous), the Kohen Gadol who succeeded Ezra, enlightens us by teaching us that the world stands on three things, Torah, worship of God, and loving-kindness. What are these three things […]
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    51 mins
  • Fostering Lasting Relationships (1:3)

    Fostering Lasting Relationships (1:3)
    Nov 6 2017
    In following the previous mishna which distilled the life objectives to three tenets, Pirkei Avos proceeds to delve into each one individually. In perhaps the most difficult mishna of the book, Antigonus lays out how to fulfill “Avodah” properly. In this teaching we read a take on altruism and how to create deep, meaningful and […]
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    58 mins
  • Godly Intellect (1:4)

    Godly Intellect (1:4)
    Nov 13 2017
    In the fourth mishna of Pirkei Avos, our sages offer three steps to accessing Torah. In our deconstruction of this teaching we learn about the nature of Torah and the unusual ways that we access it. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
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    38 mins
  • Excessive Schmoozing with Women (1:5)

    Excessive Schmoozing with Women (1:5)
    Nov 20 2017
    In the fifth mishna we learn about the proper ways to interact with others, especially those less fortunate, in a pious and peril-free manner. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]
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    27 mins
  • Selecting Mentors (1:6)

    Selecting Mentors (1:6)
    Nov 27 2017
    In the 6th mishna of Pirkei Avos, we learn about the importance of having good mentors and friends, and the prerequisites to make such relationships work. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making […]
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    37 mins
  • Avoiding Bad Neighbors (1:7)

    Avoiding Bad Neighbors (1:7)
    Dec 4 2017
    In the previous mishna we are instructed how to choose positive influences, in this one we are warned of the perils of bad friends and bad neighbors. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making […]
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    38 mins