Rabbi Dunner’s series exploring Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). In this shiur, Rabbi Dunner examines the first mishna of the first chapter in Pirkei Avot, focusing on the concept of “mesorah” — the transmission of Judaism and Torah from one generation to the next. Why is “mesorah” considered the underpinning of Jewish tradition and … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 2 – UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF “MESORAH” (VIDEO)”
Rabbi Dunner’s series exploring Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). In this shiur, Rabbi Dunner examines the first mishna of the first chapter in Pirkei Avot, focusing on the concept of “mesorah” — the transmission of Judaism and Torah from one generation to the next. Why is “mesorah” considered the underpinning of Jewish tradition and … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 2 – UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF “MESORAH””
Rabbi Dunner’s series exploring Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). In this first class, Rabbi Dunner looks at the idea that every Jew has a place in Olam Haba – the world to come! What does it mean? Why is it relevant to us? And why is Jewish ethics and morality so different from the … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 1 (VIDEO)”
Rabbi Dunner’s series exploring Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). In this first class, Rabbi Dunner looks at the idea that every Jew has a place in Olam Haba – the world to come! What does it mean? Why is it relevant to us? And why is Jewish ethics and morality so different from the … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 1 – ‘EVERY “YISRAEL” HAS A PLACE IN OLAM HABA’”
The nineteenth-century humanitarian iconoclast, Clarissa “Clara” Harlowe Barton (1821-1912), is best remembered for providing much-needed supplies to the Union Army during the American Civil War following which she founded the American Red Cross. Although her early life was marred by shyness and timidity, as a young adult Barton determined that if she was ever to … Continue reading “THE BEST CURE FOR DEFIANCE”
If you’re British and of a certain age, you are probably a fan of the irreverent 70’s comedy sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I was introduced to their zany humor in my early teens. It had been a few years since the original TV shows aired, and at the time the only medium available … Continue reading “I’M HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT”
We all need friends. We all have friends. And we all have something to say about friendship. And yet, defining friendship is far more elusive than you might think. What exactly makes a friend? How does one know if one has experienced true friendship? Socrates urged caution before committing to any friendship but encouraged steadfast … Continue reading “A TRUE FRIEND INDEED”
A couple of days ago somebody randomly sent me a YouTube link for Reverend Al Sharpton’s eulogy delivered at the funeral of Michael Brown, the African-American teenager shot dead three weeks ago by a policeman in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, Missouri. Ferguson was subsequently plagued by race riots and looting, as lawlessness raised … Continue reading “THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE IS ELUSIVE”
