Explore every episode of the podcast The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

There are many excuses to shirk our spiritual responsibilities. In the final two mishnayos of Chapter 2, Rabbi Tarfon rebuts them one by one. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 21, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Rabbi Elazar Ben Arach was the prized student of Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai, but he chose to chart his own path in life and not to join the rest of his colleagues in Yavneh. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 14, 2018 – – – – – – – […]

What is the optimal relationship between man and God? How is man supposed to view himself?  These questions and several others are addressed in Chapter 2, Mishna 18 of Pirkei Avos. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Oct 7, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – […]

In a short, succinct Mishna, Rabbi Yose shares timeless lessons regarding the proper way to treat other people’s money, how Torah greatness is a meritocracy, and perhaps the most central insight of Jewish spirituality. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Sep 17, 2018 – – – – – – – […]

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. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 27, 2018 […]

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. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 20, 2018 – – – […]

Two thousand years ago the great Sage Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai instructed his five prime disciples to undertake a unique mission. This mission and their discoveries can still offer us life-changing wisdom. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Aug 6, 2018 – – – – – – – – – […]

Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai was the pivotal leader of the nation at a most vulnerable juncture of our history. His life story and his timeless lessons continue to inform and inspire nearly two millenia after his passing. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 16, 2018 – – – – […]

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. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jul 2, 2018 – – – – – – […]

In one of those life experiences we hope to never have, Hillel once encountered a skull floating on the water. His comment to that skull is enshrined in Pirkei Avos and serves as an invaluable lesson to us. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 18, 2018 – – – – […]

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. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 11, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

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. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 4, 2018 – – – – […]

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. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast […]

In the second mishna of the second Chapter, Rabban Gamleil III offers some novel and surprising perspectives on work/Torah balance and avoiding sin. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on May 7, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the first mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos, the great Rabbi Judah the Prince offers indispensable life guidance. Who was this transformative Torah giant and what are his invaluable eternal lessons? This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 30, 2018 – – – – – – – […]

The final Mishna of the first chapter sounds very similar to its second one. In it we learn the three things upon which the world endures which is quite similar to the teaching of the three things upon which the world stands. In explaining the distinction we learn a fundamental principle about the relationship and […]

The next mantle holder of the office of the Nasi, Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, teaches us powerful insights on how to become a greater and more perfect person. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 10, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In this Mishnah, Rabban Gamliel the Elder provides us with a powerful lesson that, if observed, will empower our spiritual lives. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Mar 5, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In this concise teaching, Shammai the Elder manages to inspire and enlighten our understanding of accomplishing human greatness. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 12, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to […]

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? This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Feb 5, 2018 – – – – […]

In his second consecutive teaching, Hillel instructs us regarding the proper attitude to spiritual development and persistence, and the grave consequences of spiritual stagnation. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 22, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

One of the great legendary figures in Jewish history, Hillel, instructs us to follow the ways of Aaron: To love peace and to pursue it, and to love people and bring them near to Torah. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 15, 2018 – – – – – – […]

In the tenth Mishna, the leader of the Jews Shemayah, a descendent of the Assyrian king Sanchereb, teaches us about the work, leadership and politicians. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 8, 2018 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

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 of the Jews at the time had many challenges on their hands. In this podcast we tell […]

In the previous mishna we are instructed how to choose positive influences, in this one we are warned of the perils of bad friends and bad neighbors. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 4, 2017 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the 6th mishna of Pirkei Avos, we learn about the importance of having good mentors and friends, and the prerequisites to make such relationships work. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 27, 2017 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In the fifth mishna we learn about the proper ways to interact with others, especially those less fortunate, in a pious and peril-free manner. This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 20, 2017 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In following the previous mishna which distilled the life objectives to three tenets, Pirkei Avos proceeds to delve into each one individually. In perhaps the most difficult mishna of the book, Antigonus lays out how to fulfill “Avodah” properly. In this teaching we read a take on altruism and how to create deep, meaningful and […]

The second Mishna in Pirkei Avos features a powerful teaching from one of the pivotal and legendary characters in Jewish History. Shimon HaTzadik (Simeon the Righteous), the Kohen Gadol who succeeded Ezra, enlightens us by teaching us that the world stands on three things, Torah, worship of God, and loving-kindness. What are these three things […]

The first mishna of Pirkei Avos begins with attributing the first 900 years of the line of transmission of the Torah from Moshe at Sinai until the Men of the Great Assembly. The second sections is three teachings of those great men. What is the connection between these two parts and why was this chosen […]

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 in 2017 and now, thanks to the boundless help from the Almighty, we have finally finished this grand initiative  May the Almighty continue to give us […]

God owns everything. He created everything and owns it all. But there are some things that God cherishes above others. Our Mishnah describes five cherished possessions of God. These five are uniquely beloved by Him. They are what He “acquired.” – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

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 absolute imperative of living in a place of Torah. – – – – – – – […]

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 destructive and lead us towards a death spiral of decadence. Proceed with caution. – – – […]

The thing that we crave more than anything else is life. We all want life. We all flee from curtailing of – or danger to – our life. How do we indeed get life? In this wonderful Mishnah we learn how Torah bestows life – both here and in the afterlife – upon those who […]

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 the name of its originator. – – – – – – – – – […]

The penultimate way to wisdom offered by our sages instructs us to be systematic in our studies. What exactly does this mean? In this very special Ethics Podcast, we offer three different interpretations. Listen carefully if you want to give a boost to your studies and your connection with your Creator. – – – – […]

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, we ourselves become wiser along the way. – – – – – – – – – – – […]

What are our intentions when we study? What are we trying to achieve? If we are studying the Almighty’s Torah simply as an exercise in theoretical, abstract learning, we are missing the essence of Torah. In these two ways to wisdom, we learned about the imperative to study with intentionality and the different types of […]

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. But listening – and listening actively and attentively – is critical if we are desirous of learning and […]

Questions are arguably the most potent tool by which to open up a complex subject. Asking questions on a given matter; asking many, diverse questions, analyzing and probing the issue from all angles, helps open portals of understanding that can deepen your appreciation and your perception of the matter. Our Sages were masters of the […]

What is our relationship with our studies? For some (many?) studying Torah is very important. It is a great priority. But is it the permanent fixture of a person’s life? That designation is applied to the few. In this way to wisdom, we learn about the transformative nature of rendering Torah study the primary focus […]

Truth and peace are often incompatible. A peaceful solution to a problem is often not truthful; unvarnished truth is rarely diplomatic. In way number 40 to acquire wisdom we learn how we must deploy truth and peace in the right manner, in the right fashion, to the right person, at the right time – and […]

Not everyone is a saint. In fact, the verse testifies that there is no righteous person in the land who does only good and never sins. So everyone is a sinner, to one degree or another. How ought we relate to sinners? What do we do when we see people behaving in an inappropriate fashion? […]

Everyone is going through something. Everyone has difficulties in life. That is the human condition. It is also all by design. But we are instructed to empathize with others in whatever challenge they may be undergoing. We are supposed to help them bear their burden. We are supposed to identify with their pain, validate it, […]

There was a need to render halachic rulings. Sometimes there was uncertainty and there’s a need to have a halachic decisor render a ruling. But what is the attitude necessary for a halachic arbiter? In way to wisdom #37 we learned that he is not supposed to be enthusiastic and eager to render rulings. – […]

It is a mark of Torah ignorance to be content with the degree of Torah study that you have. It is broader than the land and deeper than the sea. Torah is effectively infinite. To have a swelled heart – to feel supremely confident in your knowledge – is both foolish and counterproductive. – – […]

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 others matters greatly to us. In way to wisdom […]

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