Archive for the Class Materials Category

Part I “Make your Torah fixed” Two explanations: Have a fixed time for learning and growing each day. The key thing is not the length of time – but that it is fixed. Otherwise you may not get around to it. Make Torah a fixed thing in

Mishna He (Hillel) used to say, If I am not for myself, than who will be for me? If I only live for myself, than who am I? If not now, when?Synopsis In three short sentences, Hillel is giving us invaluable guidelines for life and meaning. To

Part I “If I am not for myself who will be for me” This is a very famous Mishna, usually some of them have heard it. This Mishna separates the men from the boys. Recognize that the buck stops with you . . . it’s your free

Mishna Hillel used to say, if one runs after fame he will lose whatever good reputation he may have. If one does not continually learn Torah, he will lose the Torah that he already learned. One who does not teach Torah, will be responsible for those he

PART I “Nagid shmoh ovad shmei “ If you seek a great reputation – you lose your reputation. You don’t respect someone you feel is trying to get your respect. See the immorality in this . . . he doesn’t want to help people, he wants power

Mishna Hillel and Shamai received the Torah from them. (The sages previously mentioned.) Hillel used to say, “Be like the disciple of Aaron – Love peace, pursue peace, love people and bring them to Torah”. Synopsis Love of peace is a value that is an absolute must

The last Mishna told us to beware of dangerous leaders because they lead us to dangerous situations and dangerous places. Take a look at the world right now and see that it’s pretty insane – ready to blow itself up. This Mishna answers the questions “How do

Mishna Avtalion says: Scholars! Be very careful about your choice of words when you are teaching. If not, you may come to phrase a particular concept in a way which can lead to misinterpretation and your students will misunderstand what you have said, bringing upon themselves misfortune,

Last class, we examined occupations, what your attitude should be and how using your job improperly can be dangerous and destructive. What kind of occupation has the greatest potential of having an effect in the world in the long run, of being a significant influence? Teachers, philosophers,

Mishna Shmaya and Avtalion received the Torah from them, (the sages mentioned previously). Shmaya says, “Love labor, detest appointments of power, and do not make yourself known to the government.” Synopsis In this Mishna, Shmaya is speaking about the Torah’s attitude toward different types of professions. Shmaya

We have all heard about the Protestant Work Ethic and that it’s unfortunate that we no longer have it. Let’s talk a little history. When did we see the work ethic in full force? 1940’s & 1950’s (Ask) What was it like then in society? Stability, productivity,

Mishna R. Shimon b. Shetach says, ” Ask the witnesses many questions, and be careful in the manner with which you speak to them in order that they may not learn how to distort the truth in their favor”. Synopsis This Mishna, like the one which preceded

We’ve decided we want to be judges not lawyers. How do you become a judge? By collecting facts / Being objective. PART I (Show Mishna) – “Check witnesses carefully.“ A judge checks very carefully. On a level of decision-making, how does this Mishna work? You are the

Mishna Yehudah the son of Tabai and Shimon the son of Shetach received the Torah from them. (The sages mentioned in the previous Mishna). Yehudah the son of Tabai used to say, (to the judges of Israel), “Do not act as a lawyer. Before judgement, look at

Our next Mishna tells us about a justice system. PART I (Show them the Mishna) – Basically, this says be a judge, not a lawyer. (Ask them why?) Lawyer is looking for evidence to back up his vested interest. So, you’re against the American justice system? Lawyers

Mishna: Nitai from Arbel says: “Keep far away from bad neighbors, do not befriend a bad person, and do not think that acts of evil will remain unjudged. Synopsis: While associating with good people brings us closer to our Creator, association with negative people does the opposite.

We’ve been talking about desirable relationships. What about undesirable relationships? We are used to saying “Give everyone their own space, whatever people are into is all right, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone . . . But, you do not want your daughter to grow up

Nittei HaArbeli said: keep away from a bad neighbor, don’t join forces with a wicked person, and don’t despair of punishment. “Keep away from a bad neighbor” What ‘Harchek’ – keep far away from ‘Shachen’ – someone who’s living in close proximity to you (example – your

Mishna: R. Yehoshuaya son of Perachya and Nitai from Arbel received the Torah from them. (The earlier sages mentioned in the previous Mishna) R. Yehoshuaya son of Perachya says, attain a rabbi (teacher) for yourself, acquire a friend for yourself, and judge each man favorably. Synopsis: Connecting

We’ve been talking about relationships inside the home – what about relationships outside the home? Show Mishna. PART I First let’s define what we’re talking about: Rav – has the root of Rov which means to multiply. What does a Rav multiply? Wisdom. Assay – Make yourself a

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachya said: Make for yourself a teacher, buy for yourself a friend, and judge every person to the side of merit. “Make for yourself a teacher” – What 1.What does it mean “make for yourself a teacher”, rather ‘find a teacher,’ ‘study with a

Mishna: Yossi the son Yochanan from Jerusalem says: Let your home be open to wayfarers, but be careful lest you engage in excessive conversation with the women who pass through your home, for even in regards to one’s own wife men have a weakness to sit and

We just showed how to make your family strong as a unit unto itself, BUT we were looking for a solution to societal problems… How can this family unit affect society? How can this family unit now be responsible to society? They answer… You need an active

“Your home should be open wide, and poor people should be members of your household, and don’t talk to much with women; about his wife, this was said, all the more so with his friend’s wife. From here the Rabbis said: “all who talk too much with

Mishna: “Yossi the son of Yoezer and Yossi the son of Yochanan received the Torah from them. (The earlier scholars previously mentioned) “Yossi the son of Yoezer used to say: Let your home be a place of gathering for the sages. Study their wisdom dynamically but with