What makes the Jewish approach to ethics unique to other ethical systems? To answer that question, we must go straight to the Jewish foundations: the Torah. Through four introductory classes, then deep explorations into the biblical stories of our greatest ancestors, Rav Binny shows us how all of the essential ethical teachings in Judaism grow from the root system of our tradition.

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Introduction to Jewish Ethics, part 1

part 2

In this introduction, Rav Binny discusses the search for truth, and shares his personal spiritual journey. He addresses questions such as: What are ethics? What makes the Jewish approach to ethics unique in the world? What is the difference between a Jewish and an Athiestic perspective on life?

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Is G-d Ethical? 1

Through reading a very powerful passage in the Torah, and touching on the story of Iyov (Job), Rav Binny tackles the incredibly challenging theological issues: Is G-d Ethical? What do I make of Jewish national tragedy throughout history? What is my place, and what is G-d’s place in these events?

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Is G-d Ethical? 2

In this continuation of the class, Rav Binny gives us a glimpse into the Torah’s perspective on the future, and reveals that our suffering has a much more significant context in the Divine plan for the Jewish people than might appear on the surface.

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Adam and Eve

The experience in the Garden of Eden is essentially a paradigm for all of life. Here, Rav Binny takes a unique look at Adam and Eve’s opportunity and mistake, and how we can learn from their experience to understand the purpose of our lives more clearly.

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Cain and Abel (2002)

This class begins with a valuable introduction to Jewish textual learning, then moves into a discussion of the Cain and Abel’s primal conflict, which is the root of all human conflict. We also investigate the nature of the brothers’ offerings to G-d, and the inherent flaw in Cain’s sacrifice.

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Noah and Abraham

What are the similarities and differences between these two towering spiritual giants? What can we learn from how they related to the people of their generation? And what aspects of their greatness have been passed down through the Jewish people?

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Lech Lecha (2002)

Abraham’s first trial to leave his homeland and settle in a faraway land is actually a personal journey to realize potential. In order to make the world what it is meant to be, Abraham must become who he is meant to be. How is his journey our journey?

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The Binding of Isaac

Rav Binny gives us a multi-layered understanding of this famous event with help from the great Torah commentaries, and through probing the events that preceded it. What can we learn from Abraham’s life choices?

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Yishmael: The Ethics of Coexistence

Through the story of Hagar and Yishmael, Rav Binny takes a closer look at the issues of sensitivity and the responsibility of raising children. How does our sensitivity to our children’s needs and to the values we give them affect who they become in life?

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Yaakov and Esav: Birthright and Blessings

Here, Rav Binny presents an overview of the story of Yaakov and Esav, Isaac’s blessings, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and the implications of our actions. The question is: What do ethics and appreciating the birthright have to do with the serpent in the Garden of Eden?

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Joseph: The Meaning of Exile and Sensitivity

What did Joseph’s technicolor dreamcoat have to do with our being enslaved in Egypt? And, ethically speaking, what was the purpose of the enslavement? What were, and are, we supposed to learn?

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Pharoah: The Roots of Anti-Semitism

Miriam and Yocheved are the Hebrew midwives that disobeyed Pharoah’s decree to murder Jewish babies. Rav Binny investigates their holy heroism, and along the way sheds light on how Pharaoh’s evil actually helped give rise to the creation of the Jewish people.

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Who is Moses?

A beautiful look into the development of Moses. Rav Binny introduces us to the three women who most influenced Moses’ ethical growth, and shows us what inner qualities made him unique in his generation.

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Divine Providence: Pharoah and the Plagues

From a Midrash, we learn that a person is led where he wants to go. This is especially true for those who chose the path of evil. Here, Rav Binny opens up Pharoah’s hardened heart, the ten plagues, and asks: If we don’t use our power to do good, then what good is our power?