“How does Judaism help me to be successful in life?” With this question, Rabbi Aaron begins the series through elucidating the main goal of Jewish living: to bond with the Divine. He then introduces the Ten Sefirot and the process of becoming aware of the bond that we already have. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 11 & 12 – Tzedaka and Good Deeds
May 25, 2011 by
In the last two chapters of the book, Kohelet emphasizes the importance of tzedaka, good deeds, and teshuvah. He wraps up his spiritual seeking with his conclusions about his life’s journey and gives us his ultimate advice on how to live a fulfilling life. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 10 – The Fool and the Sage
May 25, 2011 by
Kohelet compares the characteristics of a fool to a wise man. Judaism says that a wise person is righteous and authentic while a fool who lives in the world of façade is only hurting himself. How can we lean to the side of the wise? Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 9 – A Meaningful Life
May 25, 2011 by
Torah does not promise a good and easy life, but gives meaning, context, and the tools to handle life’s struggles. In this class, we learn how to live life from the ‘Beyond the Sun’ perspective, to find ways to truly appreciate what we have been given. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 8 – Wisdom Kohelet 8 – Wisdom
May 25, 2011 by
Rabbi Aaron and Kohelet delineate the parameters and limitations of wisdom. They also outline the dangers of living a purely rational life, and explain the value of action and ‘faith’ in a healthy Jewish lifestyle. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 7 – Improvement
May 25, 2011 by
Here, Kohelet teaches ways to grow and improve: to healthfully deal with pain, to seek rebuke from men of wisdom, and find balance in self-image. We are also introduced to power of wisdom and how it can help us in life. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 5 & 6 – Wealth
May 25, 2011 by
From the ‘Under the Sun’ perspective, the world seems to be an unjust place, and material wealth is often used in a way that aggrevates this injustice in the world. Yet people still make their goal the acquisition of money and possessions. But there is one thing that satisfies the soul more than all the wealth in the world. Kohelet himself will … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 4 – Companionship
May 25, 2011 by
There are different ways of dealing with the feeling of insignificance from the ‘Under the Sun’ perspective, cynicism and loneliness being popular ones. Yet these ways do not sit well with Kohelet, who seeks a more positive solution. He also attempts to understand to virtues of being watchful of one's speech. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 3 – Is Life Predestined?
May 25, 2011 by
Rabbi Aaron brings in sources from the Talmud, Midrashim, and Rambam to help us to understand Kohelet’s famous predestiny question. If everything is predestined, then what is the purpose for my existence? If not, then to what extent does my power to choose affect myself and the world? What is the power of choice, anyway? Listen Now … [Read more...]
Rabbi David Aaron – Kohelet 1 – Under the Sun
May 25, 2011 by
Rabbi Aaron first gives us an introduction to this short book that was almost excluded from the Bible canon! Then he discusses the famous phrase “…and there’s nothing new under the sun,” revealing the real secret of how we can distinguish what is really real in life. Listen Now … [Read more...]
