Teshuva: To the Abyss and Back
By Rabbi Ari Kahn
Voices from Jerusalem, (1999) Aish HaTorah Media Center
A Live Lecture on 1 Audio Cassette - Tape# KI973C
Genre: Spirituality - Self Growth
Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness - December 31, 2001
Teshuva: To the Abyss and Back is part of a series of lectures that Rabbi Ari Kahn gave on the subject of Teshuva (repentance). Rabbi Kahn is a respected scholar, teacher and lecturer who's style of teaching is lively and he is not beyond kibitzing with his audience. This lecture, Teshuva: To the Abyss and Back was recorded before a live, mixed audience of men and women. Throughout he pauses to answer questions from the audience, to illuminate some of the more difficult aspects of this discourse.
The essence of this lecture is the question, What is Teshuva and how is it achieved? And, is there ever a point that, once crossed, in which Teshuva becomes impossible? In discussing this issue, Rabbi Kahn offers an explanation of what the soul is, our relationship with G-d, and what the purpose is behind Teshuva. He also discusses the nature of sin, and the damaging effect it can have upon the soul.
This lesson is conducted primarily through the study of one passage from the Talmud, which the Rabbi reads in Hebrew, and then offers an English translation. Which reads, in part, "Whoever goes to this place (abyss) will not return (cannot come out). And, if they come out, they cannot achieve a long life..." Rabbi Kahn offers an in-depth analysis of this passage and how it applies to the topic being discusses. Throughout, the lecture is sprinkled with Hebrew, but in each case, Rabbi Kahn offers an English translation of the word - thereby making this lecture readily accessible to individuals who do not know Hebrew. As well, his Hebrew is clear and he speaks slowly so that those who are just learning Hebrew should be able to follow his readings without difficulty.
Rabbi Kahn is a delightful speaker, who has a knack for translating difficult ideas into understandable and readily digestible tidbits. This lecture is infused with humor and understanding, and it will help you to understand the nature and importance of Teshuva, both as an intellectual subject and as a part of your own spiritual growth.
This lecture can be ordered directly from Voices From Jerusalem. For more information on how to order this title, please call Voices From Jerusalem at 1-800-VOICES-3, or visit their website, which is located at http://www.aish.com/audio.
The Complete ArtScroll Machzor for Yom Kippur, by Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz. The Weinberg Foundation's large type edition of the ArtScroll Yom Kippur Machzor, offers the complete text of the standard print Yom Kippur Machzor, with abridged commentaries. Text is presented in vowelized Hebrew with English translations on the facing pages. (Large Print)
Rosh Hashanah: Setting Attainable Goals, by Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz.
This lecture covers a range of topics, including a discussion on the Jewish calender and how it differs from other calenders. Rabbi Berkowitz also examines the spiritual force that underlies holy days, what it is that Rosh Hashanah commemorates, and how, each year, we are given a new opportunity to learn, grow, and to imbue our lives with meaning. (Audio)
