A live radio interview with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan and Zelda on CHIN Multicultural Radio in Toronto on Gimmel Tammuz... 91.9 CHIN FM

This in-depth Gemara study focuses on teachings of our Sages seen as sources for Sacred and Solemn Traditions associated with the observance of Yahrzeits'. Our series on Yahrzeits and Hilulahs entitled DAYS OF ETERNITY now delves into a teaching found in Tractate Ta'anit and a foundational understanding of a statement in Yevamot as we continue to trace the origins, and oldest known documentation of these time-honoured, and cherished Torah traditions. __________________________ This unique mini-series within TOM’S TALMUD TISCH ~ ETERNITY AND A DAY -- Part II continues the quest for the sources of a widely observed and revered Torah tradition whose origins seem shrouded in mystery. This Episode -- based (in part) on Gemara teachings found in Masechetot Ta'anit, Daf 29a, and Yevamot 122a -- will reveal the earliest known documentation of the idea that recuring calendric dates of loss radiate with powerful energy, potency, and possibility. In appreciating illuminating statements of our Sages, as elucidated by classis rabbinic commentary about timing, anniversaries, and historic customs and rites of Jewish life we will learn to see the Yiddishkeit conventions associated with dates of earthly passing as resonate with not only the past, but rather the present and future. Our study will highlight the observance of anniversaries of death and destruction in a dynamic fashion. One that not only honours lives lived, but also seeds new life and can stimulate growth and development. This will further clarify how these mere Minhagim (customs) have emerged as so foundational and important to Jewish life and continuity. This second Episode will significant better our understanding of how to properly appreciate and utilize the extraordinary opportunities these special days provide.

This in-depth Gemara study is drills deeply into the Talmudic teachings of our Sages to source the Sacred and Solemn Traditions associated with observing Yahrzeits'. This series on Yahrzeits and Hilulahs entitled DAYS OF ETERNITY opens by delving into Tractates Nedarim and Shavuot as we begin to trace the origins, and oldest known documentation of these time-honoured, and cherished Torah traditions. __________________________ Episode One, ETERNITY AND A DAY, opens in Masechetot Nedarim, Daf 12a, and Shavuot 20a -- as we begin the tedious task of tracing origins and sources. The opening of this mini-series withing TOM’S TALMUD TISCH will deal with the surprising, yet stubborn fact that one of the most widely observed and revered Torah traditions seems to have no source whatsoever in the Tanach (biblical scripture/ prophetic tradition) at all! Here we will set out to solve the mystery of how a mere Minhag (custom) became so important and foundation to Judaism! This inaugural Episode will provide powerful information on how where these traditions come from, so we best understand how to properly appreciate and utilize the opportunities they provide.

Part Fourteen of the Rebbe’s Parting Teaching ' , is a Chassidic Discourse which many regard as the Rebbe’s Last Will and Testament. Part Fourteen, entitled: features the twelfth chapter of, and the crowning conclusion of the entire Ma'amer. Discover the Spiritual Leadership that continues to post-terrestrially inspire. Learn how those choosing to remain tethered to a Tzadik's Torah teachings and guidance can be enriched and uplifted by his spirit that lives on. In this new and final Episode, we revisit the literal iteration of the previously focused on biblical verse, infusing it with the elaborate innovative thesis advanced by this groundbreaking Ma'amer. In this last chapter, we essentially come full circle in enunciating the symbiotic Soul Enhancement of Moshe and Am Yisrael. In the final analysis, the literal meaning and its metaphorical allegory are not disparate, but rather mutually complimentary. Now we can appreciate the Torah truth on parallel dimensions that mirror and reflect one another. By striving to achieve consistency in deed, and spirit alike with the larger-than-life influence provided by the radiance of a Tzadik's eternal soul the past actually illuminates the future!

Part Thirteen of the Rebbe’s Parting Teaching ' , is a Chassidic Discourse which many regard as the Rebbe’s Last Will and Testament. Part Thirteen, entitled: concludes the Ma'amer's Eleventh Chapter, that further demonstrates how this Ma'amer's greatest innovation serves to fully illuminate the original teaching of the Previous Rebbe -- upon which this Ma'amer is founded. In this new Episode we will learn how stirring, nurturing and revealing the Soul's innermost core enables us to keep ourselves spiritually glowing in Every Season! As we have already richly clarified the allegorical meaning of our "bringing Oil to Moses” as enhancing innermost Soul Dimensions we are now ready to return to further elucidate the original rumination. Here we will highlight the most beautiful expression of the mutual symbiotic Soul Enhancement of Moshe and Am Yisrael possible. Ultimately, it is Am Yisrael's own stunning effort that can best embody the profoundest of Soul Essence. And, when we are shaken rather than simply stirred, we self-motivate in a powerful way that radiates inside out to enable unshakable consistency. Accessing our deepest source of soul essence to transcend the normative ebb and flow of time and circumstances. Here, the Soul itself radiates in perfect equanimity!

Part Twelve of the Rebbe’s Parting Teaching ' , is a Chassidic Discourse which many regard as the Rebbe’s Last Will and Testament. Part Twelve, entitled: features a continued study of the Ma'amer's Eleventh Chapter, that links this Ma'amer's climatic innovation to the original teaching of the Previous Rebbe cited in the ruminations opening. In this Episode we will learn how discarding the soul's outer layers, enables the revelation of the truest love! We begin by returning to what was learnt in the previous episode. By providing the broader background, we will better clarify the Ma'amer's highly novel reframing of the proverbial “Children of Israel bringing Oil to Moses” as an enhancement of a Soul Dimension rather than a [spiritual] contribution to a Moses-like individual. In this Episode, this a more comprehensive appreciation of the Ma'amer's great innovation leads us to a profound new understanding of the Torah truism on Loving Our Fellow. Here, we will discover that by stirring the soul’s very essence, the profoundest and most transcendent dimension of love can take root and blossom!

Part One of the Rebbe’s Parting Teaching ' , is a Chassidic Discourse which many regard as the Rebbe’s Last Will and Testament. It provides extraordinary clarity of the mystical meanings of Mitzvot, the truest essence of Torah Leadership, defining dimensions of a Soul and the profoundest expressions of its emergence. It outlines the real challenges of our modern era as it poignantly presents us with Marching Orders and boldly lays out the roadmap to Redemption! __________________ Part Eleven features an in-depth textual-based study of the Ma'amer's Eleventh Chapter. Now, we return to connect the previously developed innovative highlights to complete the circle by linking together the lessons already learnt! in the immediate past Episode; the concept of "Katit" (Crushed, e.g. Spirits stirred and shaken) is presented a soulful expression that isn't engendered in response to external pressures or circumstances, but rather as a revelation of the soul itself. This, the Ma'amer's innovates is achieved by unmasking and revealing our core essence. In effect, we discard outer layers of consciousness to release the Neshama’s intrinsic radiance -- Inside Out! In this Episode we further the reach of this Ma'amer's greatest novelty by returning to connect this idea to the opening lessons about the symbiotic connective symbolism of Moshe and Am Yisrael. Freshly illuminating the previously expressed idea of the mutually beneficial relationship Tzadikim, where common-folk enhance the Tzadik's stature connection to Hashem -- we now learn to understand this contribution in a conceptual, rather than literal fashion. Not as a contribution to the individual Moses but instead an enhancement of the soul dimension by the same name.