The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Getting God as your Advocate (2:4)

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 i

Forgetting to Sin (2:2-2:3)

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 w

Spiritual Cost-Benefit Analysis (2:1)

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

Why God Maintains the World (1:18)

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 te

The Virtues of Silence (1:17)

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

Remove All Doubt (1:16)

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 relea

All Action No Talk (1:15)

In this concise teaching, Shammai the Elder manages to inspire and enlighten our understanding of accomplishing human greatness. This Ethics Podcast was originally releas

Discover You (1:14)

In the third teaching of Hillel the Elder, we discover timeless advice to maximizing life: If I am not for me, who will be for me; when I am for myself, what am I; and if

Spiritual Persistence (1:13)

In his second consecutive teaching, Hillel instructs us regarding the proper attitude to spiritual development and persistence, and the grave consequences of spiritual st

How to be a Peacemaker (1:11-12)

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

The Two Elements of Leadership (1:10)

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 Podc

Ethical Judicial Conduct (1:8-1:9)

In the Second Century before the Common Era, the Jewish world was in an upheaval due largely to various splinter sects, such as the Sadducees and Boethusians, causing int

Avoiding Bad Neighbors (1:7)

In the previous mishna we are instructed how to choose positive influences, in this one we are warned of the perils of bad friends and bad neighbors. This Ethics Podcast

Selecting Mentors (1:6)

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 Pod

Excessive Schmoozing with Women (1:5)

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 ori

Godly Intellect (1:4)

In the fourth mishna of Pirkei Avos, our sages offer three steps to accessing Torah. In our deconstruction of this teaching we learn about the nature of Torah and the unu

Fostering Lasting Relationships (1:3)

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 diffic

Three-Pronged Purpose (1.2)

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),

Elul Initiative: The Book of Ethics (1.1)

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 Assemb

Purpose of Creation (6:11)

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