Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition

By: Joel David Lesses
  • Summary

  • With an emphasis on Judaism, these mystical and practical discussions are explorations of spirituality and its relation to religion and psychology, with questions always. Beyond a specific spiritual practice, or sect or stream of Judaism; what do we share, what do we have in common? These talks are a work in progress evolving our rich inner life, including reflections on religious texts (i.e., Torah and Talmud), poems, art, and what is common in our human experience enhancing understanding of our relationships: with ourselves, with one another, and with the world we share. Image is Marc Chagall's 'Jew with the Torah'
    © 2024
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Episodes
  • Questions of Authenticity and Meaning in Work: Examination Through A Jewish Lens with Rabbi Jessica Minnen
    Jan 1 2025

    Rabbi Jessica Minnen and Joel sit for a deep examination of work and the different forms work takes for us as human beings.

    Rabbi Jessica and Joel start with discussing Torah and the teaching of G-d's Work (i.e., Six (6) Days of Creation) and G-d's Rest, and how that relates to Shabbas:

    • The conversations about the Shabbas Hebrew shoresh (i.e., root of the word) 'shin, bet, and taf' (i.e., Shabbas)
    • From the teaching of Shabbas, the thirty-nine (39) forms of Melachot (i.e., work) are discussed, and Melachot is outlined as work forbidden on Shabbas.
    • The definition of the thirty-nine (39) Melachot comes from the work required to create the Mishkan (i.e., Tabernacle) and that specific work defines what work is not allowed on Shabbas.

    Also discussed is the relationship between work and destiny, and the spirituality of work.

    An excerpt from Pema Chodron 'nothing leaves us before it teaches us what we need to know' suggests the work required in human relationships and the teaching of Reb Soloveitchik are also discussed: two stories of creation in Torah point to two ways to relate to the world and two kinds of work: physical and spiritual.

    Work and its relation to authencity and authenic expression versus Quid Pro Quo are contrasted, as well as women in work from a Judaism perspective, evolution of women and work and practical consideration.

    The organization 'One Table' is mentioned, helping young people access Shabbas Dinner experineces.

    Plato's teaching of the Soul with Two Faces and its relation to the Jewish teaching of Bashert and Kabbalah.

    Lanie Gardner as an example of authencity in work.

    Tzelem Elokim (i.e., humans are created in the image of G-d) posits that because God creates, we too are meant to create.

    Are we called to create in work through destiny or do we work to pay bills and solve practical problems.

    Work is revealed in it own time.

    Marcus Aurelius 'the obstacle is the door.'

    Chappell Roan and their NPR Tiny Desk.

    How to make work meaningful for all.

    Seattle Grunge scene in the early 1990s an an authentic expression of music and work.

    The shoresh 'aleph, lamed, and chaf' (i.e., from Melachot) ties to 'dispatching for a purpose' and the root ties to the Hebrew work for 'Messenger' and/or 'Angel'- that work offers purpose, and can give one a sense of mission that ties into intention and service.

    About Rabbi Jessica Minnen

    Rabbi Jessica Minnen is a writer, ritualist, and liturgist committed to the discipline of delight.

    Inspired by user-...

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    49 mins
  • Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition Trailer
    Oct 26 2024

    In this brief description of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition, Joel expresses a little of what these conversations might offer.

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    1 min
  • Mobilizing Jewish Outreach, Bringing A Person Closer To Wisdom: A Roundtable Discussion Of Rabbis Exploring Strengthening Jewish Commitment
    Oct 25 2024

    In this panel discussion with four Rabbis from America's West Coast to Israel, Joel guides an exploration of mobilizing Jewish outreach (i.e., or 'inreach' or 'in reach') how to, why, and what Jewish tradition teaches and offers from a wide range of teachings including Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson and the Baal Shem Tov.

    This collection of dedicated and diverse Jewish voices guide the contemporary question 'how do we strengthen the spiritual health of our Jewish community?'

    Discussion includes Passover and meditation, The Tanya, and Pirkei Avot (i.e., Ethics of Our Fathers).

    By the very question of mobilization outreach, the necessity of examining one's own intentions and purity of action in humility and approaching others in friendship as vital to sharing love of Judaism.

    The talk arrives at the place of true friendship as the means of transmitting the teaching of Judaism and Torah to others in the Jewish community and the vital realization that all people have significance and a role in the restoration of the World.

    Biography of Panelists:

    Rabbi Heschel Greenberg is a preeminent Jewish thinker, scholar, and teacher. Rabbi Greenberg has brought the highest ideas to broad audiences. Across half a century, Rabbi Greenberg has elevated the way people live and feel by elevating the way they think. In a world of new media, where digital waves move oceans of information across continents, Rabbi Greenberg stands out as a voice of clarity. In the fathomless sea of information, often overwhelming and confusing, Rabbi Greenberg serves as a calming conveyer of eternal ideas—an expert lighthouse directing the ships of humanity through the possibilities of life by the light of the divine.

    Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein has been a teacher of Jewish wisdom for over 45 years. His experiences have included a range from traditional yeshivot to Pueblo Indians, Igbo Tribes, China, Netherlands, Mexico and, of course, Israel. Gedaliah has also been involved in the Israeli High-Tech industry since 1995. His classic work - free to the public - is www.thepeoplestalmud.com.

    Rabbi Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is a Jewish spiritual teacher and musician. He has been teaching the practice of Presence (i.e., meditation, mindfulness) and Judaism since 2006, and founded Torah of Awakening in 2016. He is the author of Kabbalah for Beginners, published by Rockridge Press, and Integral Jewish Meditation – Three Portals of Presence for Spiritual Awakening. Rabbi Brian Yosef received s’miha (ordination) as Minister of Sacred Music (Reb Yosef Briah Zohar, Menatzeiakh, Ba’al Tefilah) from Reb Zalman z”l (2012), Spiritual Teacher and Awakener of Souls (Morei Rukhani uM’oreir N’shamot) from Shaykh Ibrahim Baba Farajaje (may his secret be sanctified) and Rabbi SaraLeya Schley (2012), certification as Teacher of Jewish Meditation (Moreh L’hitbodedut) from Dr. Rabbi Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991).

    Rabbi Micha Odenheimer: 'Born in 1958 in Berkeley California, Micha Odenheimer has been a writer, journalist, Jewish teacher and social activist in Israel since making aliyah 31 years ago. Micha’s life and interests include fields rarely seen in combination. As a rabbi he has written dozens of essays on Judaism the Torah, and social justice, and has reported on trends in Judaism and the Jewish world. Micha has a special interest in Jewish mysticism and Hasidism.'

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    47 mins

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