Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi » podcasts

Rambam Class 5/22/11

rabbifink — Mon, 23 May 2011 06:22:15 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We wrapped up Chapter 6. Our class was a bit shorter than usual as we spent a few minutes discussing some current events before beginning the class. Once we started, we talked a bit about palimpsests found in the Cairo Geniza before reading further in the text.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 5/15/11

rabbifink — Mon, 16 May 2011 05:08:50 +0000

Following a bit of an extended leave the Rambam class resumed today.

We completed our study of Chapter 5. We learned of the huge responsibility those who are representatives of God bear with regard to sanctification and desecration of God’s name. We also began Chapter 6 and the topic of erasing or destroying the written name of God. Some interesting tangential discussions arose including some talk of the Cairo Geniza.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 4/17/11

rabbifink — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:51:24 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We ventured further into Chapter 5. Today we learned aboutwhat is permissible to do when one’s life is in danger and what is allowed to improve one’s health. We then moved on to a discussion about general descecration of God’s name and sanctification of God’s name. We will see more about that after Pesach.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Pre-Pesach Class 2011

rabbifink — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:08:15 +0000

In preparation for Pesach we spent some time discussing various issues in practice and Jewish thought about the upcoming festival.

Thank you to all who attended. If you missed it, there are second chances in life, you can listen to it now.

There are two parts to this class.

The first 19 minutes are some basic laws of cleaning for Pesach and the mitzvos at the Seder. Feel free to go to the second part which discusses some of the deeper concepts of matzah and the “need for speed” during the exodus.

DISCLAIMER:

The first part is based on my understanding of various halachic opinions. I am well aware that there are some who may disagree. I am simply presented what my family does in accordance with our halachic decisors.

The second part is based on a Maharal and some commentary by Rabbi Akiva Tatz.

Enjoy.

Rambam Class 4/10/11

rabbifink — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:49 +0000

The Rambam class resumed today.

Today we continued further into Chapter 5. The Rambam talks about some more ethical quandaries involving death and adultery. The issues raised are serious and deserve even more time and contemplation than we have given them. Consider the class “food for thought”.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 3/27/11

rabbifink — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:19:22 +0000

After a brief hiatus the Rambam class resumed today.

Today we delved a bit deeper into Chapter 5. We actually did not read any more of the Rambam, instead we discussed some of the deeper aspects of what we had previously studied together. Luminaries mentioned in our discussion today included Tosafos, the Rivam, the Rosh, the Ran, R’ Chaim Brisker and R’ Yaakov Weinberg. It was a great way to get back into the swing of things.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 2/27/11

rabbifink — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:24:03 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

Today we started Chapter 5. The chapter is about Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying G-D’s name and Chillul Hashem, desecrating G-D’s name. What most people call Kiddush and Chillul Hashem are not what the Rambam calls a Kiddush and Chillul Hashem. This is why I don’t think the Rambam would approve of telling your children to “make a Kiddush Hashem” when you go to Disneyland…

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 2/20/11

rabbifink — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:05:16 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We wrapped up the Rambam’s discussion of the elements of creation by adding the final element of creation, the Divine Intellect of man. This is the Rambam’s version of what is colloquially called the soul. The Rambam calls “life” the soul. We finished Chapter 4 and the more esoteric parts of the Rambam.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 2/6/11

rabbifink — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:15:43 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

Today we learned a lot more Aristotelean (I cannot pronounce that word) science. There’s some important ideas about science and Torah in general that are discussed and a Bill O’Reilly sighting…

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 1/30/11

rabbifink — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 05:59:02 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

Today we finished the third chapter and the medieval astronomy lesson. It is very interesting to see the perspective the rishonim and their predecessors had of the physical word. I am sure you will agree.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 1/23/11

rabbifink — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:25:18 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We finished the second chapter and began the third. We spent considerable time discussing the astronomy of the Rambam which, by today’s science, is wrong. This is not disconcerting because the Rambam does not tell us anywhere that the scientific knowledge he possessed came from anyone other than scientists. Whereas his Torah came from the Talmud and the oral tradition.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam 1/16/11

rabbifink — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 20:21:26 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We continued the second chapter where the Rambam teaches us the various levels of forms and functions in the creation. We learned about humans, angels and the celestial beings. The topic is fascinating and very thought provoking.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 1/2/11

rabbifink — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 05:18:46 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We spent considerable time going further into the section we studied last week. Our focus was on the idea that the Torah speaks in the language of man and the controversy over that statement of the Rambam with reference to anthropomorphisms.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 12/26/10

rabbifink — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 01:23:29 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

We delved further into the first chapter today. Our discussion led us to a better understanding of what G-d’s existence means in Judaism and perhaps more clearly, we began to understand what G-d is not.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 12/19/10

rabbifink — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:09:08 +0000

The Rambam class continued today.

Today we began the text of the Mishna Torah. But first we examined the organizational structure and information the Rambam precedes the text of the Mishna Torah with.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I invite you to join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 11/28/10

rabbifink — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 16:33:10 +0000

Our Rambam class continued today.

The bulk of today’s class was about the controversy surrounding the Mishneh Torah. There are many levels to the opposition to the Rambam’s work and we touched on a few of them.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I hope you will join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 11/21/10

rabbifink — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 06:18:02 +0000

With a short discussion at the start, the Rambam class continued today.

We began with a discussion about what it means to have a rabbi. Eventually we made our way through most of the introduction.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I hope you will join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rambam Class 11/14/10

rabbifink — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:58:37 +0000

After a one week hiatus, the Rambam class continued today.

We ventured further into the Introduction and will likely finish the Introduction next week.

The class is covering some very interesting material and I hope you enjoy listening. I hope you will join us at the Pacific Jewish Center Bais Medrash / Annex on Sunday mornings 8:50 AM.

Alternatively, you can tune in to the podcasts on the blog.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Rosh Hashanah 2010: Fixing An Eternal Mistake

rabbifink — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:53:21 +0000

Please enjoy this Preparing for Rosh Hashanah Class. Listen on the blog or download to your computer. Download Link. Related posts: Rosh Hashana: Beginning of all Beginnings | Connections 8/31/09 Good Stuff For Rosh Hashanah From the Archives Perfection | Connections 12/08/08 High Holidays Services / Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in Venice California / [...]

Jewish Lessons in Parenting

rabbifink — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:36:52 +0000

Last night I was invited to be a part of A Night for the Family at Pepperdine University. It was a memorable evening in more ways than one. (Read about it here: A Night for Family.)

I was asked to speak before a crowd that had just enjoyed seeing the life of Corrie ten Boom performed.

One message of that story is that is good, moral decisions do not happen in a vacuum. Children learn from their parents.

But how are we to instill the lessons we want our children to learn?

I was supposed to try and answer that question in 20 minutes.

Decide for yourself if I was mildly successful…

PJC Chanukah Party 2009 Address

rabbifink — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:36:10 +0000

As part of the festivities of our Chanukah Party on the beach, I addressed the attended with a speech on Chanukah and this week’s parsha, Miketz.

It was an addendum to my Shabbos drasha, which I hope to publish shortly.

Enjoy the class. Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Mesillas Yesharim 11/22/09

rabbifink — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:08:03 +0000

Today’s class was another really informative and relevent topic.

We learned about fear, worry and anxiety.

With anxiety affecting tons of us it was interesting to find sources bemoaning the difficulty of dealing with anxiety as well as its debilitating nature.

Very enjoyable class, as always.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Prayer in Judaism | Connections 11/2/09

rabbifink — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:37:45 +0000

Prayer is something so basic to all faiths and religions. Jewish ideas of prayer are decidedly different from other cultures. It is very important to learn about the Jewish approach to prayer.

I began the class by announcing that this was a topic I longed to discuss for a very long time. I finally felt that the time was right.

We asked all the basic questions about prayer. We asked some advanced questions about prayer.

Using ideas from Rabbi Chaim Volozhin and others we pieced together a rational approach to prayer that made sense to us.

It was a very exciting class with outstanding participation and a very alert listening audience.

I really recommend giving this class a listen.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Enjoy.

Truth and Faith | Connections 10/26/09

rabbifink — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:30:15 +0000

Two words with very different meanings were discussed tonight.

Truth on the one hand and faith on the other.

In Judaism these are really two phases of life’s various challenges. Our discussion ranged from Abraham to smokers to ferrets.

It was quite an adventure and I invite you listen.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Enjoy.

The Miracle of Tests and Ordeals | Connections 10/19/09

rabbifink — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:19:23 +0000

At Connections this week we learned a lot about ourselves.

We began with a quote from Messilas Yesharim. The purpose of life is to perform mitzvos, to serve and to be tested. To be tested is the purpose of life?

We then discussed ordeals and tests in a traditional and more novel way. You will enjoy the approach. You can listen below.

I even managed another decent Seinfeld reference…

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Enjoy.

Mesillas Yesharim 10/18/09

rabbifink — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:20:53 +0000

After a Holiday break, the Mesillas Yesharim class returned today. Today’s class was a bit shortened due to the extra long Rosh Chodesh prayers.

What was short on time was long on content. The end of the Seventh Chapter of Mesillas Yesharim contains what I find to be the most profound insight in the entire text.

We all are familiar with the common idea that if “one doesn’t feel ‘it’” we don’t feel comfortable acting that in way. We even call people who act in a way not consonant with their feelings hypocrites. The Ramchal has a completely different perspective and I strongly recommend listening to today’s class.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen live here.

Physical Reward For Spiritual Deeds | Connections 9/14/09

rabbifink — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:54:17 +0000

This week we learned about the actual nature of the judgment of Rosh Hashana.

Using a unique approach from Rav Dessler, we resolved a difficult contradiction in Jewish philosophy and enjoyed great questions and insight from all the attendees.

This was our final class in the Preparing for Rosh Hashana Series.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen to the class here.

Rosh Hashana: Beginning of all Beginnings | Connections 8/31/09

rabbifink — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:41:42 +0000

As we continue our journey through Elul, marching towards Rosh Hashana, Connections returned the Pacific Jewish Center.

Our approach was that if we are “preparing” for Rosh Hashana, we need to understand just what Rosh Hashana means. What is a succesful Rosh Hashana and how do we get there?

We analyzed one angle of Rosh Hashana that can help us this year on Rosh Hashana and throughout the year.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen to the class here.

Mesillas Yesharim 08/30/09

rabbifink — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:38:01 +0000

This week we completed Chapter 6 of Mesillas Yesharim.

We began with a great discussion about Truth. We talked about how people fall into two categories. There are those who choose what they do and base their decision on what they believe to be the “truth” and there are others who merely follow the path in front of them and do not choose that path.

Another point of emphasis was the understanding that our natural state as humans is to be stationary. We are naturally lazy. Our task is to rise up from that laziness and elevate our lives to the point that we are thinking and choosing the life we live.

There’s plenty more of interesting Torah in the audio.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen to the class here.

Mesillas Yesharim 08/16/09

rabbifink — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:08:03 +0000

I returned to Venice after a short Summer break and today we resumed our Mesillas Yesharim class.

Highlights today included a very interesting insight from Maimonides regarding laziness and the “Golden Path”. My father told me that in the Shmona Prakim, Maimonides gives a very surprising opposite to laziness.

Back in Mesillas Yesharim we learned about the inherent danger in laziness of action and thought.