One of the great criticisms of the Rambam/Maimonides was that he did not write down the sources used to explain how he derived and decided Jewish law. His Code of Jewish Law/Mishneh Torah was straight forward without a discussion on the topic. Many commentators have come over the years to try and explain why he wrote what he wrote and what his sources were. Here, he was asked a series of questions people had of how he came to decide a specific law.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on February 17th, 2001.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on January 13th, 2001.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on December 16th, 2000.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on December 9th, 2000.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on December 2nd, 2000.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on November 25th, 2000.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on November 18th, 2000.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on November 11th, 2000.
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Starting in November of 2001 and concluding in February 2001, Rabbi Labaton gave a 9 part weekly class on the topic of “Science and Religion”.
This class was given on November 4th, 2000.
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This class was given on Tisha Be’ab, July 15, 2013 only a few months before the Rabbis passing.
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“The Lonely Man of Faith”, by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik is arguably the single most important Jewish Philosophy book written in modern times. This 20 minute class by provides introduction to some of the books ideas.
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(3 out of 3)
This three-part class series was given in the summer of 1995.
To our knowledge, the first class in the series was not recorded
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(2 out of 3)
This three-part class series was given in the summer of 1995.
To our knowledge, the first class in the series was not recorded
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(3 out of 3)
This three-part class series was given in July of 2001.
Dedicated in memory of Joe Betesh A”H, by his wife Sonia, his children and grandchildren.
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(2 out of 3)
This three-part class series was given in July of 2001.
Dedicated in memory of Joe Betesh A”H, by his wife Sonia, his children and grandchildren.
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(1 out of 3)
This three-part class series was given in July of 2001.
Dedicated in memory of Joe Betesh A”H, by his wife Sonia, his children and grandchildren.
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This year marks the third year without Rabbi Dr. Ezra Labaton in our lives. He passed away on the final day of Hanukkah 2013. This Pizmon was dear to him, as it was composed in honor of the wedding of his grandfather Ezra Obadiah Labaton.
We are asking that in order to keep this Pizmon alive, each year all community synagogues this song when taking out the Sefer Torah on Shabbat on the week of Hanukkah.
(if the embeded video above does not work, click here to open video on YouTube)
Lecture given 11-28-06. Presented by Merkaz Moreshet Yisrael.
View Class Notes
TurkeyClassnotes1106 – View the Rabbi’s 8 pages of notes used during the lecture.
TurkeySourcedocs1106 – View 17 pages of source documents, all with the Rabbi’s annotations, used in preparation for the lecture.
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He discusses the ethical, spiritual, and rational elements of the Rambam’s/Maimonides Mishneh Torah/Code of Jewish Law. This was recorded on 3/8/04.
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The Rabbi explains the 13 Principles of Faith put forth by Rambam/Maimonides and how we should interpret them.
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What’s the impact HaRambam/Maimonides has had and continues to have on the world? 3/1/04
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Being the “Chosen” people has put the Jews in very precarious situations over the years. Moreover, being “Chosen” has led to anti-Semitism. Has this idea of being “Chosen” helped or hindered our work in this world?
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The Jewish Calendar itself is a mechanism or means of studying the ideas, ideals, and values of Judaism. Our method of celebration of a holiday is not simply to teach or read about the holiday, rather to experience and live the values.
Example: Shabbat– We create an ideal moment in time. What is Jewish idea of making Kiddush on Shabbat? Read more ›
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Deals with philosophy within every aspect of Judaism. Why we must understand Jewish and non-Jewish philosophy. And, the obligation for Rabbi’s to be educaed, sophisticated, aware, and knowledgable to answer difficult questions. Read more ›
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(1 of 4) Exploring Sefer Bereshit/Genesis as the source of the ideas, ideals, and values which have shaped the modern world.
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(2 of 4) Exploring Sefer Bereshit/Genesis as the source of the ideas, ideals, and values which have shaped the modern world.
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(3 of 4) Exploring Sefer Bereshit/Genesis as the source of the ideas, ideals, and values which have shaped the modern world.
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(4 of 4) Rabbi Labaton discuss’s how the themes within Sefer Bereshit/Book of Genesis contain the ideas, ideals, and values we should live by. It’s the source book of our lives.
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“We’ve been studying about one of the foremost thinkers of the 20th century, Rav Joseph Soloveitchik. Read more ›
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Class 2 of 2- Recorded on 5/18/04
Rabbi Labaton shares his personal reflections on his Rabbi and teacher, the Rav/Rabbi Soloveitchik (1903-1993). He received his smicha/Rabbinical Ordination from the Rav/Rabbi Soloveitchik at Yeshiva University REITS.
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Class 1 of 2 –Recorded 5/3/04 Here, Rabbi Labaton shares his personal reflections on his Rabbi and teacher, the Rav/Rabbi Soloveitchik (1903-1993). He received his smicha/Rabbinical Ordination from the Rav/Rabbi Soloveitchik at Yeshiva University REITS. Read more ›
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*“Our goal tonight is to try and rescue the Rambam/Maimonides (1135C.E.-1204CE) from the clutches of the Kabbalists/Mystics.”
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Physical and/or Spiritual Resurrection? The Rambam/Maimonides (1135C.E.-1205C.E) was criticized for not believing in physical resurrection and not including it in his Mishneh Torah/Code of Jewish Law. The Ra’vaad/Rabbeinu Abraham ben David (1125C.E.-1198C.E.) who was mystically inclined who challenged much of what the Rambam/Maimonides said. In chapter 3, the Rambam/Maimonides says that anybody that believes G-d is physical is a heretic. In 1188/1189 C.E., the Ra’avaad/Rabbeinu Abraham ben David attacks the Rambam’s concept of Olam Habah (ch.8) and that the Rambam does not believe in the physical resurrection of the dead. The Rambam responds to him and says he does believe in it and all is well. Without reading or knowing the Rambam’s response to the Ra’avaad/Rabbeinu Abraham ben David in 1188/1189 C.E., another Rabbinic leader, the Yad Ramah comes along in 1203/1204 C.E. and vehemently attacks and criticizes the Rambam’s view of resurrection. He then gets the Rambam’s defense and says ok, he does believe in physical resurrection. Read more ›
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Part 2 of 8 on Inyaneh Teshuvah. Focus of this class is how the Rambam/Maimonides deals with Teshuvah/Repentance.
The below are some of the sources used in this class. These are not exact quotes with exact chapters and so on. Please listen to the class while reading the below to understand this fully.
Repentance is not emphasized in the Chumash/5 Books Read more ›
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Part 3 of 8 on Inyaneh Teshuvah. The Rabbi uses King Shaul’s reign (1020BCE -1000BCE) as an example of where Repentance fails.
Below are the texts Rabbi Labaton discusses in this class (JPS English translation).
[Book of Samuel 1, Chapter 13:1- 13:7] Saul was (20) years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel two years. Read more ›
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Part 4 of 8 on Inyaneh Teshuvah – Rabbi Labaton recalled a situation when he asked The Rav’s grandson in-law, who does the family think understood Rav Soloveitchik best? The answer he received Read more ›
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(2 of 2) Rabbi Labaton discuss’s some of the most controversial parts of the book of Samuel, in Prophets. In addition, he discusses how sometimes Read more ›
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(1 of 2) Rabbi Labaton discuss’s some of the most controversial parts of the book of Samuel, in Prophets. In addition, he discusses how sometimes the commentators will take a strange text and find ways to normalize it or unstrangize it. A question to keep in mind, Why did the rabbis keep Read more ›
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Rabbi Labaton spoke at the Edah Conference on how Kavod Haberiot/Respecting one’s Dignity and how it factors into the halachic decision making process.
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given 1/25/11 at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi.
What do the Rambam’s “Guide for The Perplexed”, “Sherlock Holmes”, and “The Fool” have in common?
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“The Rambams/Maimonides view of the Torah/Bible is that the Torah/Bible is an esoteric work, it’s a hidden work. Read more ›
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The Rabbi discusses how one should approach the text in order to maximize one’s experience. In addition, how one should approach commentaries and the questions one should ask prior to learning a commentary. Is the commentator a pashtan or darshan? What factors shape a commentary’s interpretation?
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This recording was given to us by Gina Tawil. This was part of R. Labaton’s sunday morning class. 7/7/13.
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10 minute class on Halachot (Laws) ben Adam L’Makom (Laws between Man and G-d) and ben Adam L’Havero (Laws between Man and Man).
The Rabbi uses the Rambam’s (Maimonides) work of Mishneh Torah with Hilchot De’ot (laws of moral attributes). These are the principles upon which all Judaism is built.
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Part of an ongoing series “Striking but True Aspects of Tanach”. In this class, the Rabbi touches on Sefer Iyov/Job, and focuses primarily on the book of Shemuel/Samuel. ~2010
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Recorded on 1/25/03: Anyone who ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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Anyone that ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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Recorded on 12/24/02: Anyone that ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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Recorded: 12/19/02 Anyone that ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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Anyone that ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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Anyone that ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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Anyone that ever heard a speech, took a class, or spent time with Rabbi Labaton heard the concept of Selem Elokim . He felt this was one of, if not the most fundamental tenets in Judaism. Selem Elokim= Every person is created in the image of G-d, therefore is unique and must be treated with human dignity and respect.
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In this lecture, Rabbi Labaton examines the text of Genesis, and how one man ultimately influenced the world. Lecture courtesy of TorahCentral.com
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Lecture given 9-16-09 at Congregation Beth Torah in Brooklyn, NY. We thank Merkaz Moreshet Yisrael for making this available.
Wikipedia Definition of Ba’al Teshuva: Read more ›
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Recorded 10-27-03. See the article discussed in this class Science and Religion article part 1
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Recorded 6/16/03- Philosophy of the Bible Series – Iyob (Job)
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Recorded 6/9/03. Philosophy of the Bible Series – Tehilim (Psalms) and Mishle (Proverbs)
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Recorded 6/2/03. Philosophy of the Bible Series
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Recorded 5/12/03. Philosophy of the Bible Series – Tehilim (Psalms)
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Recorded 5/5/03. Philosophy of the Bible Series – Tere Asar (Twelve Prophets)
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Recorded 3/31/03. Philosophy of the Bible Series – Neviim (Prophets)
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Recorded 3/24/03. Philosophy of the Bible Series – Introduction to Neviim (Prophets)
This course provides a historical/conceptual overview of the Bible, explaining its Ancient Near Eastern context and the philosophical and religious ideas that emerged from that context. Each book of the Bible will be discussed briefly to note its authorship, setting, genre, and important themes. We study certain selected passages from each book that provide philosophical, theological, and ethical insights that inform the Jewish outlook. The course emphasizes those Biblical ideas that have impacted the Ancient Near East and which still influence modern society such as the concepts of monotheism, Selem Elokim, progress, the welfare state, and Berit.
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Philosophy of the Bible Series
(4 of 11)
Recorded 3/10/03
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Philosophy of the Bible Series
(2 of 11)
2/24/03
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