Inspired Judaism, Inspired Living

Sunday, Jul 26, 2009

The Kabbalah of Watching Movies

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What does the Kabbalah say about watching movies? Is it a good thing, a bad thing - or perhaps it is really how we watch it.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 10:39 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Jul 24, 2009

Rabbi Who Bought a Ferrari

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Is having wealth a good thing - can one attain spirituality and enlightenment through being immersed in the physical?

The Rabbi who bought a Ferrari is a podcast to explore the depth of Judaism and how if one can, one should definately drive a Ferrari.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 1:41 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Jul 24, 2009

Buddhist Roots In Judaism

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Why are so many Jews becoming Buddhist - What is missing in the North American Jewish experience? Is the North American Jewish experience at all what Judaism is, should and can be?

This podcast was a Lunch 'n Learn in downtown Halifax hosted by Mark Rosen. Exploring the deeper sources and truer experiences of Judaism, and finding that what we are looking for is right at home.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 7:42 AM | 1 comments

Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009

Judaism's Look at Smoking Cigarettes

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Are Cigarettes holy? Are they prohibited? Listen to a fascinating paradox with this podcast.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 12:49 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Jul 20, 2009

Drug Use In Judaism

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Is Drug use encouraged in Judaism? How does it relate to the fact that the drinking of wine is essential in Judaism?

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 9:54 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009

Popcorn, Coffee & The Mashiach

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People buy experiences beyond the physical makeup of the product. The success of Popcorn Indiana and Starbucks are realities of Messianic nature: Where the physical is indeed much more, for all of the physical reality is actually spiritual in nature and experience.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 7:06 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009

Endangered Lives: Physical & Spiritual

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Saving a life is of the highest priority in Judaism.

If that is true for a physical life, how does it apply one's spiritual existence?

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 9:55 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009

The Sweet Life Of Gratitude

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What can make a person's life sweet? What can make it bitter?

What does it mean to be a Jew? Why is a Jew called by this name?

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 10:30 PM | 1 comments

Monday, Jul 13, 2009

Loving Criticism By Knowing The Critic

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How to turn arguments into peace.

The exile and destruction of marriage is due to the inability to accept criticism.

In Judaism it says that God speaks to us through other people, to know what we need to work on. And by knowing that God is the critic, we should love the criticism that we get!

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 11:09 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Sunday, Jul 12, 2009

How To Destroy & Build Relationships

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How do we destroy our relationships? In marriage, in family or within a community - what is the element that destroys the relationship?

How can we build and rebuild relationships?

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 8:04 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Sunday, Jul 12, 2009

Understanding the Jewish Prayer Service II

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How is the morning Davening service organized and why?

In Part II we explore the beginning of the morning Davening / Prayer service, page by page, section by section.

Covering up to the Shma.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 7:43 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, Jul 09, 2009

Why On Earth Do Jews Still Fast?

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Isn't fasting something entirely archaic and irrelevent?

Unless there is a deeper reality to fasting,

and it has to do with the relationship between the mind and the emotions.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 1:17 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, Jul 02, 2009

Intro To The Wearing Of The Kipah

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Why do Jewish men wear a Kipah (head covering)?

If a man wears a Kipah and his boss at work does not allow him to, what should he do?

This is a short intro to the topic.

Posted by Rabbi Ari at 11:28 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

My Profile

Rabbi Ari
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After High School I went to Israel to study in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh (then Hakotel) for one year. The Yeshiva experience was so powerful, inspiring and unique that I knew I had to stay for longer. The Rabbis whom I had been so impressed with, by their depth, humility and joy had spent so many years studying - I knew that one year was not enough. And because of sincere family support I had the encouragement to pursue studying Torah. Most of the students and friends whom I had met in Netiv Aryeh only stayed for one or two years and so I looked for a place that had a longer program, which I found in Bat Ayin. Bat Ayin was a haven of intense Torah study, prayer, joy, seeking, friendship, dancing, singing, music, drum circles, guitars, going out to the forests in the middle of the night, creativity and passion. What began at Netiv Aryeh continued and matured in Bat Ayin, essentially discovering the hidden, richer dimension of Judaism and life. Towards the end of the Smicha (Rabbinic Ordination) program I was drafted into the Israeli Army, several months after getting married. The 18 months I spent in the army provided to be an experience of challenge, maturation, acceptance and ultimately growth. What was difficult in the beginning of being in the IDF in the end was a gift of enrichment and I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to serve. After the army I received Smicha from the Yeshiva and from my Rabbi Rav Natan Greenberg (also father in-law) soon before flying off to Halifax, Nova Scotia where I am a Rabbi. The same reason I wanted to be a Rabbi is the same reason that I began this blog: to share the wonder, beauty, wisdom and power of Judaism. Like anything and everything I hope this to be a relationship more than a soliloquy and look forward to feedback, commentary and questions!
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