The Ethics Podcast

Shiurim

• Realms of Rage (5:14)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Anger is a sentiment that we all feel sometimes. What triggers our rage? What does our anger say about us? What is the connection between anger and faith? Why does the Talmud declare that getting angry is tantamount to idolatry? Why does th

• Etched in Stone (4:25)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Elisha Ben Avuyah was one of the greatest Sages with the potential to being a historic legend of Jewish history on par with Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues. But he went awry. He became a heretic and a sinner and abandoned Torah. Why did he g

• An Enduring Union (4:14)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Sages of yore were absolute Torah giants, of course, but many also balanced their scholastic responsibilities with earning a livelihood. Our particular Mishnah is the brainchild of Rabbi Yochanan HaSandler, Rabbi Yochanan the Shoemaker.

• Loving God (6.6.30) + TORCH Fundraiser

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  TORCH Fundraiser — support the Ethics Podcast Our organization, TORCH, does only one fundraiser a year, and that is happening right now at giveTORCH.org . This is a matching campaign and every donation will be DOUBLED. Please support the Et

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #6: Fear (6:6:6)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Fear of Heaven is – together with Love of God – one of the two pillars of our spiritual life. Fear of God is one of the central themes of our spiritual and religious life. We are also told that it is a necessary precondition for Torah maste

• An Invitation to The Afterlife (4:21-2)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  We all recognize that we will eventually die. Each of us know that there will come a point in time where our body and Soul separate and go their own way. The body will return to its origin, the dust, and the Soul will return to its Heavenly

• TORCH Fundraiser: A Conversation with our Board President, Dan Kullman

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please support The TORCH Podcasts and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the TORCH Podcasts and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – –

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #8: Joy (6:6:8)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Joy is an underappreciated aspect of the life of a Jew. One can imagine that you can fulfill all of your religious and spiritual obligations without living joyously. Upon examination of the sources we discover that Jewish life is inextricab

• Plummeting in Love (5:19)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Love is a fickle emotion. It is something that changes seemingly randomly. Why is love not fixed in place? What is the secret to enduring love? In this exquisite Mishnah we discover the inner workings of how love works and what determines i

• The Seven Keys to Wisdom (5:9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  What separates a wise person from someone who has to potential to be a wise person but has not actualized it? In the words of our Sages, such a person who has not cultivated their wisdom is a “Golem”, and there are seven key differences bet

• Loving God (6.6.30)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The requirement to love God is featured prominently in our religion. The Shema – the pledge of allegiance of our faith – contains the mitzvah to love God right after the first sentence of accepting his dominion. This is one of the six const

• Aged Wisdom (4:26-7)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  How do children learn? How does intelligence and wisdom develop? How do people undergo intellectual and spiritual maturation? In this very powerful set of Mishnayos, we learn why young people why young people are not always ready for prime

• Nuclear Football (5:1) + TORCH Fundraiser

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please support The Ethics Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and The Mitzvah Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – –

• Conversation (6:6:20)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  We are speaking beings. In fact, the central differentiation between humanity and animals is the capacity of verbal communication. The judgment that we face in Heaven is largely about how we deployed our superpower, our speech. The greatest

• Advanced Conflict Resolution (3:21)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Rabbi Elazar Ben Azaria got an unusual and controversial promotion at a very young age. Due to an escalating dispute between two of the great leaders of the era, the Nasi Rabban Gamliel was deposed and Rabbi Elazar Ben Azaria, aged a tender

• Getting God as your Advocate (2:4)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Imagine if you had God on your side in all your endeavors. Is there a better or more potent advocate? In this mishna we learn the formula how to get God to advance your interests. The steps are simple to learn but hard in integrate. – – – –

• Stockpiling Diamonds (3:9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In an unusually sharp statement, our Sages inform us of the severity of neglecting Torah study. The flip side is also true: Torah study is unfathomably valuable. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider spons

• Beloved (6.6.30 Intro)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Torah was not given to angels. Torah was given to humans. One way to expand our ability to acquire Torah is by enhancing our humanity. The more human we are, the more we are a worthy receptacle of Torah. But what does it mean to be a human?

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #4: Process (6:6:4)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  What happens when you absorb information? How do you process it? The fourth way to develop wisdom talks about the intuition of the heart. The heart is the venue in which we take what we learn, absorb, and encounter and add it to our underst

• Heavenly Headlines (4:13)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  What are the consequences of our behavior? What difference does it make if someone does a mitzvah or a sin? In this landmark teaching in Pirkei Avos we learn that our actions truly matter. We have the opportunity to make breaking news in He

• Life-Extending Teaching (4:6)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  What does it take to teach Torah effectively? What are the immense benefits of studying Torah with great diligence? What are the different modes of Torah study and what are the different benefits? In this deceptively simple Mishnah we learn

• Double-Edged Swords (6.8)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Not everything that we covet in life necessarily redounds to our benefit. There are great many things that are double-edge swords: they can be used for good; they can accelerate our ascent to righteousness, and they can be absolutely destru

• Summoning God (3:7)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In Jewish literature, Torah is called the Word of God. In this mishna we learn about its ability to bridge the gap between man and his Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by

• Active Listening (6.6.43)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Listening is a lost art. To truly listen and consider the other person’s position is becoming increasingly rarer. We get consumed with our own ideas and perspectives; someone else’s opposing position will not be granted true consideration.

• Hotel Incidentals (3:20)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In his fourth and final teaching, Rabbi Akiva shares a powerful and serious parable that is designed to shake us up and take life seriously but also contains the undertones of a very inspirational and comforting message. – – – – – – – – – –

• Upgrading Honor (4:15)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  How ought we treat subordinates, peers, and superiors? In this intriguing Mishnah we learn that we tend to undervalue others and consequently accord them insufficient honor, and must correct that by always upgrading the honor and respect fo

• Sharpening Teachers (6.6.46)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Teachers are usually pretty talented. They’re usually gifted, knowledgeable, intelligent, and well-studied. In way to wisdom # 46 we learn how a student should strive to make their teacher even sharper and wiser. By upgrading our teachers,

• Loving Charities (6.6.32)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Charity is a big element of religious life. Our Sages tell us that the mitzvah of charity equals all the mitzvos of the Torah combined. But monetary charity is only one type of charity. There are many different types of charity, in the love

• Abraham’s Academy (5:22)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The founder of our nation was Abraham our patriarch. He was a paragon of faith and kindness, and also exhibited every positive character trait. By contrast, Bilaam the sorcerer was the anti-Abraham. He harbored every negative trait. In this

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #3: Articulate (6:6:3)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The mouth is our superpower. Through it we convey ideas and articulate thoughts. The third way to wisdom is to arrange our lips. This entails using our mouth in a powerful and strategic fashion. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – S

• Good Heart (6.6.23)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Although the study of Torah is ostensibly a cognitive pursuit, there are many qualities that are not cognitive nature that facilitate and enable the study of Torah. In this way to acquire wisdom, way #23, we learn about what it means to hav

• Remove All Doubt (1:16)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In this Mishnah, Rabban Gamliel the Elder provides us with a powerful lesson that, if observed, will empower our spiritual lives. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #5: Awe (6:6:5)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The next way to acquire Torah is with awe. Specifically, awe for a great Torah sage. Why would a Sage inspire awe? Why would this be a method to acquire Torah? In this fascinating episode we explore the wonderful world of awe-inspiring Tora

• Honoring Torah (4.8)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please support TORCH and The Eternal Ethics Podcast TODAY during our only annual fundraiser giveTORCH.org Support the Eternal Ethics Podcast – https://www.charidy.com/torch/ethics EVERY DONATION IS QUADRUPLED Today, TORCH needs your help!!

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #2: Listen (6:6:2)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The second way to wisdom is to listen with your ears. In this podcast you will learn about the power of learning via listening. Audio learning is more impactful than visual learning. The Almighty gave us two ears and only one mouth; we have

• Ethical Judicial Conduct (1:8-1:9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the Second Century before the Common Era, the Jewish world was in an upheaval due largely to various splinter sects, such as the Sadducees and Boethusians, causing internal conflict and confusion among the nation. The two great leaders o

• Worldliness (6.6.16)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The central conflict of our lives orients around our relationship with the physical world in which we currently inhabit: the Torah teaches us that the objective of life is to optimize for the benefit and betterment of the soul, and to prepa

• Environment Makes the Man (4:18)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Rabbi Elazar Ben Aruch was the most promising student of Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai. Unfortunately, his potential was not actualized, and in fact he forgot his Torah. In this autobiographical Mishnah, he shares with us the reason why his gr

• Discover You (1:14)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the third teaching of Hillel the Elder, we discover timeless advice to maximizing life: If I am not for me, who will be for me; when I am for myself, what am I; and if not now, when? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please con

• Crowning Achievements (4:17)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In our most ideal state, the Jewish Nation is described as “A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation.” We are all Kings! The Talmud teaches that in Olam Haba, all the righteous who merit an invitation will be adorned with a resplendent crown

• 48 Ways to Wisdom – #10: Apprenticeship (6:6:10)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our glorious tradition was perpetuated from generation to generation, from teacher to student, from parent to child, for thousands of years. One of the ways to acquire wisdom is by studying under the tutelage of a great Sage. – – – – – – –

• Safety in Numbers (2:5)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In chapter 2 we meet Hillel the Elder again. In this mishna we learn the secret of surviving judgement, the differences between how God and man judge, and hear a clarion call for repenting before we die. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Forgetting to Sin (2:2-2:3)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the second mishna of the second Chapter, Rabban Gamleil III offers some novel and surprising perspectives on work/Torah balance and avoiding sin. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making

• Godly Intellect (1:4)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Purpose of Creation (6:11)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  With endless praise to the Almighty for all goodness that he has done for us, we hereby present the final episode of the Ethics podcast. We began this project 7 years ago and now, thanks to the boundless help from the Almighty, we have fina

• Moderation (6:6:17)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our resources are finite. We must engage in trade-offs, deciding what pursuits to prioritize over others. This, of course, is all well known. But it’s more complicated: by design, we feel drawn to seek out and pursue goals that are potentia

• Tempering Temper (2:15)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In this Mishna, one of the most fascinating characters of the Mishnaic era teaches eternal lessons on how to deploy anger properly and how to ensure that our spiritual affairs are in order before we meet our Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Avoiding Deathpangs (2:8)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  What is really yours and what are you merely a steward over for the duration of your life? In this mishnah, Hillel reclassifies ten things by pulling away the curtain and revealing what they truly are. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Beloved (6.6.30 Intro)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Torah was not given to angels. Torah was given to humans. One way to expand our ability to acquire Torah is by enhancing our humanity. The more human we are, the more we are a worthy receptacle of Torah. But what does it mean to be a human?

• A Tourist Visa to Heaven (2:6)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the sixth mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos, Hillel the Elder delineates the six levels of distinction, the means to achieve them, and their impediments. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring a

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

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  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. Re

• Choose Your World (2:16)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This mishna marks the first of three times in Pirkei Avos where the phrase “is removed from the world” is assigned to people who exhibit certain attitudes or behaviors. In this podcast we suggest a novel approach to explain that term. – – –

• Spiritual Epigenetics (5:4)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The story of our forefather Abraham is told in great detail in the Torah. We read about his challenges and triumphs, travails, and travels. The Mishnah calculates that Abraham underwent ten distinct divine tests and succeeded in all of them

• Loving Straightness (6.6.33)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Straightness is a virtue. Straightness means to be proper and upstanding in all of your conduct. It means doing what’s proper and just and good. It also references thinking. Straight, sensible, logical, clear, cogent thinking is better than

• Proper Attribution (6.6.48)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  When we hear something beautiful, something genius, something powerful, we may be tempted to pass it off as our own. In the final installment of the 48 ways to wisdom we learn about the imperative of proper attribution: saying something in

• Aversion to Honor (6.6.35)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Honor is a funny thing. It yields no tangible, discernible, sensory benefit to the recipient, yet it is so highly coveted and desired. We all want respect. We all want others to look up to us and to admire us. Our standing in the eyes of ot

• The Critical Hour (4:3)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  How valuable is an hour of time? How much of a person’s life can be changed in one hour? In this mishna, Ben Azzai teaches us the power of a single hour. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a

• Place of Torah (6.9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  There are only three rules of real estate: location, location, location. When it comes to choosing a place to live, the same principle applies. But what determines a good location? In this very interesting Mishnah we learn about the absolut

• Peasant to Prince (6:2)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Studying Torah is the greatest Mitzvah. That is well-known. In this Mishnah, we learn about the perils of neglecting Torah study. Along the way we discover the polarity Jews since Sinai, we discover the secret of Jewish continuity, and we l

• Anger Suppression (6.6.22)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Anger is part of the human experience. When things agitate us, we get frustrated and have a tendency to lash out, to berate, to say things that we may regret. In this ethics podcast, we learn about the virtue of being slow to anger and how