(Many of these classes work with Rebbe Nachman's stories Sippurei Maasiyot. In English it is available as Rabbi Nachman's Stories, translated by R. Aryeh Kaplan)
- Class 0: Setting the Stage, The Exchanged Children
This class begins the analysis of Rebbe Nachman's story of the son of the king and the son of the servant who are switched
Download File - Class 1: The Exchanged Children, continued
Discusses ecological concepts raised in Rabbi Nachman’s story “The Exchanged Children,” including the interconnection of the physical and spiritual worlds and returning to a state of balance. Reading this story is recommended before listening to the class.
Download File Stream - Class 2: The Song of the World
Learning a piece in Rabbi Nachman’s Likutei Moharan that describes the spiritual song sung by the natural world.
Download File Stream - Class 3: Steward of the Field
Rav Greenberg teaches a piece from Rabbi Nachman’s Likutei Moharan known as Ba'al Hasadeh (The Steward of the Field), found in Likutei Moharan I:65. He discusses the human role in caring for nature, with implication for planting of trees and protecting endangered species.
Download File Stream - Class 4: Selection from The Sever Beggars
Rav Greenberg teaches a selection from Rabbi Nachman’s famous story, The Seven Beggars (the last story in Sippurei Ma'asiyot).. He discusses the importance of a connection to nature in maintaining balance in live and in restraining one's material desires. The text can be found in Rabbi Nachman's Stories, translated by R. Aryeh Kaplan, pp. 375-383
Download File Stream - Class 5: Returning to the Steward of the Field
Rabbi Greenberg continues exploring the notion of the tzaddik as a steward of the field (see shiur #3). He also touches upon the concept of recycling and its roots in the holiday of Sukkot. Based upon Likutei Halachot, Orach Chayyim, Hilchot Tefilat Arvit 4:24.
Download File Stream - Class 6: Materialism and Urban Society: Master of Prayer I
Focusing on the first page of Rebbe Nachman's story, "The Master of Prayer," Rav Greenberg delves into issues of material consumption, urban technological society, and spiritual devotion.
Download File Stream - Class 7: Materialism and Urban Society: Master of Prayer II
Expanding on themes begun in the previous shiur, Rav Greenberg explains Rabbi Nachman's approaches to weaning people from material consumption by offering them a more spiritually-satisfying alternative.
Download File Stream - Class 8: Consumption, Conspicuous or Otherwise
How should a person relate to the material world,physicality, and consumption? What is the meaning of the command ‘do notcovet?’ R’ Greenberg delves into these and other questions in this shiur,based on Likutei Halachot, Hilchot Pesach, Halacha 9, section 33.
Download File Stream - Class 9: The Spiritual Impact of Consumption
Even if consumerism had no impact on the environment, would it then be alright to acquire ever more material wealth? What are some of the spiritual implications of a high-consumption lifestyle? Based on Likutei Moharan 23:1, R’ Greenberg explores these questions and broader issues of consumerism and materialism.
Download File Stream - Class 10: The Sophisticate and the Simpleton
In this shiur, Rabbi Greenberg explores issues of urban versus rural living, high consumption versus simple lifestyles, and two radically different approaches to life. The shiur is based upon the famous story The Sophisticate and the Simpleton, found in Sippurei Ma'asiyot (translation: Rabbi Nachman's Stories, translated by R. Aryeh Kaplan)
Download File Stream - Class 11: Tzedakah as a Way to Counter the Love of Money
This shiur, based on Likkutei Mohoran 13:1, explains how giving tzedakah is an indispensible element in the struggle to free oneself for the desire for money and, thereby, bring out one's potential for truly generous giving.
Download File Stream - Class 12: Tzedakah and Material Desire
Rabbi Greenberg continues his exploration of material desire and consumption in Rebbe Nachman's teachings by focusing on giving tzedakah as the key in the struggle to diminish one's lust for money. This shiur is based on Likkutei Mohoran 29:9.
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Rav Natan Greenberg
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Rosh YeshivaRav Natan Greenberg is Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Bat Ayin. He studied Torah in Yeshivat Har Etzion and the Breslov Kollel in Jerusalem, and received his ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel. Before founding Bat Ayin, he served as Director of Gesher and worked in outreach with the Los Angeles Jewish community. |