MEOR Mastery: Master the basics of Jewish Practice

Rosh Hashanah is many things- a new year, a festival, and it is judgement day. How do we square that it is day of judgment and yet we have moments of rejoicing?

Is happiness a goal or a tool? Can we really control how happy we are? What are genuine ways to increase it? These are time tested and profound ways to increase happiness for the long term.

We all have an inkling that we need to grow and change, but why? Can't I just be me and stay as I am? Today we explore where the need for change comes from and the first technique to master it.

Jewish life is laden with customs, traditions, and different practices. How do these customs tie into big, transformative ideas such as creaing inner peace? Today we tackle kiddush and wine to see exactly how it is done. Through these big deas our persepctives change.

Why do we have three separate meals on Shabbat? Two is fine but by the third meal, we are usually stuffed! What is the idea behind this and where does it come from?

Welcome to a new series about Shabbat. It is a top ten commandement and shrowded in mystery. How did it get so complex and how do these rules make sense? We begin to deconstruct the meaning of all this.

We end the amidah with peace. Why is that the ending and how do we understand the meaning of true peace? This wraps up our series on prayer- stay tuned for more!

Gratitude- the foundational character trait that makes everything else tic. How do we cultivate it? In this episode we tackle blessing 18. As we wind down the silent prayer, we leave in thanks even before anything has been answered.

In many ways, the political conflict of today centers around the Temple mount. That is what the Oct. 7th operation was referring to, the Al Aksa Flood. Why is that a site that is so pivotal to our identity?

Why do we read megillas Ruth on Shavuot?

What is the best hope for getting our prayers answered? In this episode we digest the 16th blessing, and the last of our 'request' blessings.

One of the major questions we will be asked after we die is did we await the messianic age? Why is that so crucial? What are we looking for and what will it look like? Find out here.

Why are we sharing the Passover story again! What are we supposed to feel on Seder night. Here is the inside scoop.

We wrap up the last of the communal spiritual blessings with a blessing about the different shades of greatness in the Jewish people and the need to see success from each part of our people.

As much as we are divided today, we have always faced divisions and here is prayer that describes the various difficulties the Jewish people have faced, often from within.

Purim is often compared to the Jewish Halloween. Nothing is further from the truth as we explore the deep philophiscal ideas brought up on this, perhaps, holiest of days!

We continue our journey on the importance of great leadership- an area we may not think enough about. How would the world look if we had geniuinely great leadership and a system that reflected the idealism of Torah?

As we continue our march through the Amidah, we need to understand the nature exile- what is it for and what do we have to do to get out of it. In this blessing we examine what is the nature of what we are asking for as we languish in exile.

In the ninth blessing we explore our livelihood. We all need it and for most it doesn't come easy. Here we explore some of the nuances of how to ask for it properly!

As we march through the silent prayer we come across one of the most relateable of the blessings- the need for healing.

In this week's episode we dive into blessing #7 of the silent prayer where we ask G-d to redeems us from the myriad of challenges of life. There is perhaps no easier way to connect than through recognizing how vulnerable we are as a people and through daily struggle.

Channukah is here and in all the gifting, eating, and partying it is sometimes hard to remember what is depth of what we are celebrating. Oil for 8 days is nice but is that it?

In blessing #6 we ask G-d for forgiveness from two types of issues- what are they and how do they impede our growth?

Here we tackle blessing number 5 of the amidah. What does it mean to return to Torah and why does it follow the previous blessing. Here lies the key to reaching all of our greatness.

In this exploration of the fourth blessing of the amidah, we examine the faculty of Daas. Why is this our first request? What is the nature of Daas and why is it so critical to the human experience?

At the heart of our Jewish identity is holiness. And yet it doesn't inspire us. What is holiness and how can we put it back on the top of our minds?

As we continue our journey through the silent Amidah, we dive into some major themes of Jewish thought- resurrection of the dead and more...

In this week's episode we dissect the first blessing of the amidah. This is the main blessing that counts and here we make every word shine.

A new series begins as we tackle one of the most difficult aspects of Jewish life- tefillah/prayer. It is a critically important skill and in this episode we discuss why it is important and how to begin the process of connection.

As Yom Kippur approaches, what is the key to a successful day of atonement? Not surprisingly our very judge Hashem, also gave us the keys to a successful judgement.

As we enter Rosh Hashanah, it is the time to think about what life means. We wish people that they should be inscribed in the book of life- what are we hoping for?

Explore the deep and mysterious parable of R' Elazar b. Dordaya that contains the secret to lasting and meaningful change this year.

In Ellul, we already begin to blow the shofar. Is this a sneak peak to Rosh Hashanah, or is it something else?

Surprisingly, one of the most important decision you make every day is what to wear. How does what we wear define who we are?

We just passed Tu B'av, one of the great days on the Jewish calendar where the talmud describes how single women would dance in the vineyards and would try to find a spouse. With dating in the air, it was time to demystify the Jewish dating process. Why is it so effective and how can we replicate it in the modern world?

What is the root of the issues we face today in our world? How is mourning over the temple still relevant today?

We are in a unique time of the Jewish calendar- a time of difficulty and reduced joy. Why are we still mourning over calamitous events from so long ago? How does that affect us today?

At the end of the day, the ultimate goal of life is to acquire inner peace- that inner tranquility in the face of life's uncertainties and complexities. Shabbos is the training ground and the source for acquiring it. Here is practical advice about how to do it on Shabbos.

Where does the Torah discuss the 39 malachot of Shabbat? Hint: It doesn't! Why not? Where do they come from. Find out on this fascinating episode of MEOR Mastery.

This is not at a typical MEOR Mastery class. But this is a recording of a class given at a Machon Shlomo reunion that recounted an incredible meeting I had with the President of Argentina, Javier Milei.

We are in the midst of a massive confrontation between Iran and Israel. As Israelis are running into bomb shelters, what is our role here? Furthermore, as antisemitism roils Boston, is it time to panic? This and more in this week's episode.

Probably what makes Judaism most unique is its attention to detail. For some people, this is the magic that makes Judaism tick. For others, it feels obsessive and seems to squash the spirituality- which is it?

Shabbat dinner is about to start, but first, we must sing! We sing shalom Aleichim and the diehards also sing Eishes Chayil. Why is that the ideal way to go into Shabbat? Today we reveal some exciting secrets about what Shabbat is all about.

Join us as we explore some of the deeper ideas behind the Shabbat meal. Why do we make kiddush on wine? Why do we light two candles? Why do we eat challah?

Why is Shabbat a central feature of Jewish life? Why is it so fundamental to Jewish life?

Why do we count from Passover to Shavuot? How did it become a period of mourning in Jewish history? Find out here!

Most Jews know about and celebrate seder night. But what about the 7th day of Pesach? What is unique about this day and what are we celebrating?

Purim is the festival of joy and here we attempt to understand some of the depth of the mitzvot of the day.

What is the timeless message of the first paragraph of the shema. Here we see the true power of love and on what basis we can learn to love G-d.

Why do we have a New Years for the trees? How can we be inspired by trees?