The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's Pirkei Avos Lectures. Please email questions and comments to [email protected]

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Answering the Heretics (2:19)
Today at 3:54 AM

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

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Relationship or Ritual? (2:18)
Last Monday at 3:53 AM

What is the optimal relationship between man and God? How is man supposed to view himself?Β  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

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The Ultimate Meritocracy (2:17)
Last Friday at 3:39 AM

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

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Choose Your World (2:16)
10/14/2026

This mishna marks the first of three times in Pirkei Avos where the phrase β€œis 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

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Tempering Temper (2:15)
10/12/2026

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

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Finding Your Magic Bullet (2:13-14)
10/09/2026

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

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Spiritual Natural Law (2:9-2:12)
10/07/2026

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

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Avoiding Deathpangs (2:8)
10/05/2026

What is really yours and what are you merely a steward over for the duration of your life? In this mishnah, HillelΒ 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

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Divine Karma (2:7)
10/02/2026

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 asΒ an invaluable lesson to us.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jun 18, 2018

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A Tourist Visa to Heaven (2:6)
09/30/2026

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

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Safety in Numbers (2:5)
09/28/2026

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

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Getting God as your Advocate (2:4)
09/25/2026

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 on May 28, 2018

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Forgetting to Sin (2:2-2:3)
09/23/2026

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

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Spiritual Cost-Benefit Analysis (2:1)
09/20/2026

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

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Why God Maintains the World (1:18)
09/18/2026

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 interrelationship of God and this world.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Apr 16, 2018

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The Virtues of Silence (1:17)
09/16/2026

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

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Remove All Doubt (1:16)
09/14/2026

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

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All Action No Talk (1:15)
09/11/2026

InΒ 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

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Discover You (1:14)
09/09/2026

In the third teachingΒ of Hillel the Elder, we discover timeless advice to maximizing life: If I am not for me, who will be for me;Β 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

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Spiritual Persistence (1:13)
09/07/2026

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

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How to be a Peacemaker (1:11-12)
09/04/2026

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

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The Two Elements of Leadership (1:10)
09/02/2026

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

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Ethical Judicial Conduct (1:8-1:9)
08/31/2026

In the Second Century before the Common Era, the Jewish world was in an upheavalΒ 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 some of the stories about R’ Yehudah Ben Tabbai and R’ Shimon Ben Shetach and speculate how their experiences informed their teachings in Pirkei Avos.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 11, 2017

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Avoiding Bad Neighbors (1:7)
08/28/2026

In the previous mishna we are instructed how to choose positiveΒ 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

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Selecting Mentors (1:6)
08/26/2026

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

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Excessive Schmoozing with Women (1:5)
08/24/2026

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

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Godly Intellect (1:4)
08/21/2026

In the fourth mishna of Pirkei Avos, our sagesΒ 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.

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Fostering Lasting Relationships (1:3)
08/19/2026

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 β€œAvodah” properly. In this teaching we read a take on altruism and how to create deep, meaningful and lasting relationships.

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Three-Pronged Purpose (1.2)
08/17/2026

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 and what does it mean that the world stands upon them?

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Elul Initiative: The Book of Ethics (1.1)
08/14/2026

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 to be the first mishna of the book?

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Purpose of Creation (6:11)
06/03/2026

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 Β May the Almighty continue to give us strength and resolve to study His holy Torah and may we be worthy of absorbing its timeless lessons.

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God’s Cherished Possessions (6:10)
06/01/2026

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 β€œacquired.”

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Place of Torah (6.9)
05/27/2026

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.

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Double-Edged Swords (6.8)
05/25/2026

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.

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The Life-Giving Property of Torah (6:7)
05/20/2026

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 do it. What does the Mishnah mean when it says life? How exactly does Torah serve as a life-giving tool here and there? In this fascinating Ethics podcast, we learn the answers.

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Proper Attribution (6.6.48)
05/18/2026

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.

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Systematic Studying (6.6.47)
05/15/2026

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.

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Sharpening Teachers (6.6.46)
05/13/2026

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.

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DONATE:Β Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Studying with Intentionality (6.6.44-45)
05/11/2026

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 motivation for Torah study. We can upgrade our wisdom simply by tweaking the goal of our studies.

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Active Listening (6.6.43)
05/08/2026

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 absorbing the Almighty’s Torah.

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DONATE:Β Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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