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What Assimilation Could Not Destroy

The Extraordinary Story of Jewish Philanthropy; Why Are Many Youths Leaving Judaism?

47 min

Class Summary:

Already our Biblical forefathers in the desert, notwithstanding all of their rebellions and complaining, knew how to be generous. As a matter of fact sometimes they even gave blindly and to contradicting causes. The Talmud expresses this in amazement: “What is the peculiar nature of this people? When asked to contribute to the Golden Calf, they gave, and when asked to donate to the building of the Sanctuary they also gave!” Some people are compulsive gamblers, Jews are compulsive givers. One of the most striking characteristics of the Jewish people is that by nature we give charity. This is not only a religious virtue and charity for religious institutions—Jews support endless organizations: Organizations devoted to world peace, to a greener environment, fighting cruelty to animals, saving the whales, the Democratic Party, the UN, and countless hospitals and universities. Where did we get the genes to give so much charity? From our father Abraham, the quintessential man of love and kindness. Jacob gave us the talent to study Torah, Isaac—to work on ourselves, pray, and grow inwardly, but Abraham taught us how to love and give." A Talmudic statement alludes to a fascinating fact: even at the end of days, as the generations progress and grow spiritually and intellectually weaker, Jews will continue to give. This class will explore how today—more than Isaac and Jacob—Jews are characterized most by the ‘genetic’ influence of Abraham. This is also our modern mission more than anything else, to emulate his example and learn how to love and accept each other.

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  • R

    RICARDO -11 years ago

    EDUCAR CON EL EJEMPLO
    Un excelente mensaje para padres, maestros y educadore; e incluso para los líderes, a fin de aplicar respecto de sus dirigidos.



    Muchas Gracias por este material tan preciado.

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  • NS

    Nachman Sanowicz -11 years ago

    Chinuch Chinuch is a good start and maybe the whole job
    The Rebbe said many times that Chinuch is like an investment as much that you invest you take out..





    You have to do the homework with your children everyday no exception.





    The children must have a geshmak in what they learn so when they grow up they in turn instead of all the Junk out there they will spent their time in gemoro halacha chasiddus vechulu.





    Parents must lead by example if the Father has a kviuus itim (Learns every day at a set time) the children have to whom to look up and they will in turn have Kvius Itim if the Parents look to invite guest and help unfortunate ones  the children will follow.





    Above is the basics.

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  • C

    Cecilia -11 years ago

    Excelente
    Excelente la charla y las distintas miradas de un mismo párrafo,

    Es un gran aliento para los jóvenes que a veces se sienten confundidos, que comprendan

    la realidad de lo que realmente están buscando, ser baalei teshuvá.



    Muy buena enseñanza de la parshá!

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  • N

    Natan -11 years ago

    Fabuloso!
    Buena clase!

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  • S

    Shliach -11 years ago

    Thank you
    What a powerful Shiur. Thank you

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  • E

    Elie -12 years ago

    it appears the mp3 does not work
    it appears the mp3 does not work to download

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    • A

      Anonymous -12 years ago

      Re: it appears the mp3 does not work
      We fixed it.

      Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • I

    Isaac -13 years ago

    to Yitzchak Shlomo
    That is AFTER Moshiach comes. the Rabbi was addressing the final generation of galus, of exile, beofre Moshiach comes.

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  • YS

    yitzchak shlomo -13 years ago

    avraham
    sais in maseches shabat that-in the future byitzchak ikare avinu ??

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  • א

    אחראי -13 years ago

    להרב יהודה בוטמן
    נא לרשום האי מייאל שלך, ונתקשר אליך להציע איזו דרכים לתיקון הענין, כי בדרך כלל אין אנו מקבלים תלונות על זה. אגב, האם המהירות של האינטרנט שלך עובד טוב? כי הוידיאוס פה הם ברמה גבוהה ואולי זוהי הבעיה.

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  • A

    Anonymous -13 years ago

    Thank you so much for these parsha series!!!!!!

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  • יב

    יהודה בוטמן -13 years ago

    לא מסוגל לראות ברצף
    זה כל הזמן נקטע
    זו בעיה שנמצאת אצלי כל הזמן ועדיין לא נפתרה מלפני כמה חודשים
    אשמח מאוד אם תעזרו לי בבקשה

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  • T

    [email protected] -13 years ago

    Brilliant

    Important message for all parents and educators!!!

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • W

    watch -13 years ago

    Let's applaud this man
    NY Republican governor hopeful makes anti-gay remarks
    Paladino tells Jewish leaders he doesn't want kids "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option."
    By ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • Q

    question -13 years ago

    midrash
    The midrash tells us that Avraham grew up in a cave, far from the wicked world around him. He recognized his creator when he was three years old, by observation and reasoning.

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  • M

    Michal -13 years ago

    To Jina Zadeh
    My suggestion: in some Word-file record yourself a name and URL of the class including a Parsha name. You can create this list for the last year and for current year together (see Home page). This site, as stands now, has only one person who performs tremendous job to improve, change and correct it. Big Thanks to him, other supporters and Rabbi for the great class.

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  • E

    Eli -13 years ago

    Works now. Tremendous work !

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  • E

    Eli -13 years ago

    Thanks guys

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • JZ

    jina zadeh -13 years ago

    classes
    is there any way we could bring u the old classes. If it is ossible I would like to see all the classes as a librerary with conections to torah parasha. This way it will be easy to go back and lisen. Every week I lookforward to your vidio. Thanks

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • A

    Admin -13 years ago

    To Eli
    We are working on it.

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • E

    eli -13 years ago

    The MP3 link is not working"?

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • IL

    interested listener -13 years ago

    anoff the topic question
    bs'd

    is it correct that eastern meditation can actually 'stop' the mind?

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

  • DE

    Debra Emerson -13 years ago

    Tonight's Lesson
    It was very good. I learned a lot that I can not write in words.

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

Rabbi YY Jacobson

  • October 11, 2010
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  • 3 Cheshvan 5771
  • |
  • 3381 views
Dedicated by David and Eda Schottenstein in the loving memory of: Alta Shula Swerdlov And in merit of Yetta Alta Shula, "Aliya," Schotenstein

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