sources from Rabbi Zev Pomeranz INTRODUCTION Imagine trying a new suit on while wearing your old one. No matter how great that new suit may be, it will never fit. When it comes to learning about Judaism, or anything for that matter, it’s important to make sure
Read more →Please Note: A lot of this class is geared towards fundraising and working with donors. INTRODUCTION The following are universal needs and desires that every human being has. Some people are more in touch with certain ones, i.e. it’s more on the surface. However, every human being
Read more →The Five Prerequisites 1. Hearing Judaism’s wisdom for happiness doesn’t mean you’ll have to change your life. 2. You can know that it will work but still not do it. It doesn’t mean you don’t have the right formula. Knowledge and implementation (effort) are two separate issues. 3. There’s no
Read more →1. Happy People Focus On What They Have, Not On What They’re Missing A young man once came in to Aish HaTorah to meet Rabbi Noach Weinberg. (Rabbi Weinberg is the founder and dean of Aish HaTorah.) The fellow had an unusually happy disposition. Rabbi Weinberg remarked
Read more →sources from Rabbi Zev Pomeranz How To Get Your Prayers Answered 1. To Whom Are We Praying? This class is called “How To Get Your Prayers Answered.” The first thing we have to do, before we can talk about how to get your prayers answered, is to
Read more →sources from Rabbi Zev Pomeranz Class Flow 1. The Jewish people have a unique ability to adapt and prosper regardless of the circumstances. 2. Abraham is an example of a person who was in a mode of constant growth. a. Abraham came with all his days. b. Growth should be constant;
Read more →Sources from Rabbi Zev Pomeranz Class Flow “Love Your Neighbor” is one of the 613 commandments in the Torah. It is a principle that we taught the world. Questions about this commandment. How can you command love? You either feel it or you don’t. We do command
Read more →If you yourself have a strong grasp of these ideas, you are equipped to help open the door for people to start taking the A-mighty seriously and wanting to relate to Him. Even if you start with beginners, and instill in them the idea of living with
Read more →1. You’re showing people that the battle of life, of fulfilling your potential is free will. 2. You’re showing people that making choices is a constant. 3. You’re showing people that the real issue is, Am I going to choose to live or escape? 4. You’re showing people how we walk
Read more →sources by Rabbi Zev Pommeranz Aish HaTorah’s Fundamentals of Judaism Series Rabbi Noah Weinberg “MASTERING OUR GREATEST POWER: FREE WILL” Class Flow 1. Free will is one of our most precious possessions. Knowing we have free will is an even greater demonstration of G-d’s love. a. Mishna in Avos, 3:18 2. Free
Read more →1. People think that vacations and material comforts are a) What life is about. b) Where real pleasure lies. This is an illusion, because all one gets from these things is instant gratification, and then it’s over – with no inherent meaning involved. This is what causes so much unhappiness.You
Read more →sources by Rabbi Zev Pomeranz 1. Introduction: All we want for our children is their pleasure. What is the one thing all of us want most for our children? Their happiness. If you’re a parent you know that when your children are happy, you’re energized; when they’re
Read more →sources from Rabbi Zev Pomeranz Every system in existence has its basic fundamental principles, its building blocks, its ABC’s. Any discipline you might want to master will have fundamentals without which you cannot proceed. In art you have to learn to draw in proportion or how to mix
Read more →1. You’re showing people that intelligence is not Judaism’s definition of an intellectual. The Jewish definition of an intellectual is someone who leads with his mind and acts upon what he knows. 2. People are walking around confused, and allowing themselves to be led by their emotions. The first goal of the class is
Read more →sources by Rabbi Zev Pommeranz Class Flow An intellectual is someone who goes with what his mind says over what his emotions say. It is not a description of one’s intelligence. You can be a genius and not be an intellectual if you follow your feelings. Your
Read more →The following anecdote may help us understand the greatness of Rav Yaakov: Rabbi Noah Weinberg grew up in a period of rapid assimilation. Many of his childhood friends abandoned their Jewish identity, and soon he too felt his faith at risk. His father was European, and unlikely,
Read more →1. Most people live the way they do, because of socialization. In order for people to be able to make decisions that aren’t popular, that is, in order to be independent thinkers and choosers, they have to be thinking people who have confidence regarding the decisions they are
Read more →sources by Rabbi Zev Pomeranz Overview HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW? 1. Introduction: Where did the Jews get their clarity from? This is the first in a series of ten classes on the fundamentals of Jewish living. Today’s class deals with the concept: How can
Read more →Introduction to Torah Study I. Life is for pleasure It’s a principle of Jewish understanding that G-d created us because He wanted to give us pleasure. Illustration: All that one wants for his children is that they should live rich and happy lives, filled with joy. At the same
Read more →Introduction to Torah Study I. Life is for pleasure Tell your class: “It is a principle of Jewish understanding that G-d created us because He wanted to give us pleasure. Illustration: All parents want for their children is that they should live rich and happy lives, filled with joy.
Read more →Adam and Eve are in a difficult situation. They know they were created to have free will. But free will only comes when you have desires that cause a lack of clarity, which allows you to choose between good and evil. Adam and Eve have their desires
Read more →Intro: In the physical world that G-d created, children acquire their parents’ genetic material. Looks, age, longevity and other factors are programmed into us as a mixture of our parents. Our spiritual makeup is also affected by our parents and ancestors. We inherit spiritual potential from our ancestors
Read more →