What is Shabbat? What is done on this day of rest? Rabbi Aaron shares his first experiences with celebrating Shabbat and as well its history and other deeper themes to help us to appreciate the amazing gift of Shabbat.
In this rollicking class, Rabbi Aaron covers everything: The meaning of Purim, the mitzvot of Purim (drinking, costumes, food), details of the day, themes of Purim, Purim’s relationship with Yom Kippur and Passover, Haman, and of course, the Oneness of G-d.
Passover
What was so novel about the Jews sacrificing the lamb before leaving Egypt? And what is the essential ideological difference between the Jewish and Egyptian worldviews? And how does matzah, the main mitzvah of Passover, become an experience beyond time and space?
Through Rav Kook’s exposition of a piece in the Passover Hagadah, Rabbi Aaron explores the differences between the redemption from Egypt and the upcoming Final Redemption. He also touches on the significance of the hurried Exodus, and gives us kabbalistic and personal growth insights into the steps of the Seder.
Shofar So Good
While we don’t like judgement, deep down we know that it fills a basic human need. Judgment means that someone cares and that I make a difference. Rosh Hashana is the time to rejoice in your trembling and fear. Ok, fine, but how about that shofar?
Live at Isralight on Tisha B’Av night, Rabbi Aaron teaches about the major prohibitions on this saddest day of the Jewish year, particularly about the difficulty of not saying hello to others. He also shares personal life experience and reflects on the significance of the destruction of the two Temples.
History is a process with a theme and a person’s choice in life is whether he or she wants to attune to that process or not. In the month of Tishrei, we are given the opportunity to attune through the celebration of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succot, and Simchat Torah, and to take part with Hashem in fixing the world.
How does spending practically all day confessing sins enhance one’s cosmic relationship with Hashem? The secret is that Yom Kippur is a day that is like Purim, a very special day that transforms a person, and gives us an opportunity to see life from G-d’s perspective. Through the five afflictions, Rabbi Aaron shows how to enjoy a deep connection to Hashem on this high and holy day.
Walk into Yom Kippur with a new attitude. Rabbi Aaron looks at the Day of Atonement through the eyes of Purim, the World to Come, Hashem’s love, and the shofar. He helps us to see that getting the forgiveness we want is very much in our hands.
From a piece in the chassidic masterpiece ‘Tanya’, Rabbi Aaron explores the difference between bitterness and depression, and explains why the goal on Tisha B’Av is to reach the level of ‘holy bitterness’. This class was recorded live at Isralight’s yearly Tisha B’Av event in the Old City.
Before each chapter of Eicha (Lamentations) read on Tisha B’Av night, Rabbi Aaron gave a brief introduction and commentary. This collection (without the actual reading of Eicha) will help you prepare for this coming year’s reading.
Opening with the story of Avraham giving his angelic visitors matzah, Rabbi Aaron explores the leaving from Egypt as an actual result of Pesach.
Rabbi Aaron looks at the positive power of fear in our lives, and shows us what the true root of happiness is, and how Rosh HaShana gives us the perfect opportunity to tap that root.
Rabbi Aaron made a surprise appearance at the Isralight Tu B’Shevat Seder to give over this short class, where among other fruit-oriented topics, he discussed the mistake of Adam & Eve, how to take pleasure from the world, and how this holy day can be a major tikkun (repair) for the world.
In this class, from the Old City, Rabbi Aaron takes a look into the prayer for the rebuilding of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) and asks the following questions: What is Yerushalayim? Why are we celebrating the unity of a city? Why is Yerushalayim called G-d’s city?
This is the same class as the one in English, delivered in Hebrew. This is the first of what we hope to be many classes for the Hebrew speakers in our Isralight audience.
Chanukah: Getting Out of Hellenism (2007)
Live from the Isralight Chanukah Party, Rabbi Aaron gives us an entertaining look into why the Greeks had such a problem with us Jewish party poopers. This class is a shorter, and slightly different version of the class ‘Chanukah: From Savage to Sacred Self’.
