Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein
Insights, ideas and inspiration mined from the weekly Torah portion and the classic commentaries, and distilled by South African Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein. Known as a “spiritual entrepreneur”, Rabbi Goldstein has launched and led a number of initiatives that have changed the face not only of his own community, but of world Jewry. In the Language of Tomorrow, he explores the Torah’s vision for creating a better society, and an inspired, meaningful life.
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Personal Agency | Parsha with the Chief - Va'eira
01/14/2026
Personal Agency | Parsha with the Chief - Va'eira
Personal agency speaks to the most critical questions a person can ask: how much control do I really have over my own life? Do I see myself as a helpless victim of circumstances, or as an empowered agent capable of shaping who I become and how I live? The way we answer these questions determines how we approach every challenge, every choice, and every day of our lives. In this talk on Parshat Va’eira, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein explores the Torah’s revolutionary concept of personal agency through one of the most dramatic confrontations in history: the battle of wills between Pharaoh and God. As the plagues unfold, the Torah reveals a profound truth about free choice. For the first time, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, not by stubbornness, but by God Himself. Why would God take away a person’s free will? And what does that teach us about the value, fragility, and responsibility of choice? Drawing on the Rambam’s teachings in Hilchot Teshuvah and a foundational Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (Chapter 3, Mishnah 19), the Chief explains why free will is described not as a right, but as permission granted. God, the ultimate power, steps back and entrusts human beings with the ability to choose, and therefore with accountability for their actions. While much of life is outside our control, the Torah insists that the moral choices we make remain fully ours. We are not defined by what happens to us, but by how we respond. Pirkei Avot is not a book of abstract philosophy. It is a guide to personal transformation. Its message is clear: belief in personal agency moves us from passivity to responsibility, from excuses to growth, from resignation to hope. This is a teaching about freedom, accountability, the power of change, and why true liberation begins not with circumstances, but with choice. Key Insights Free will is not automatic, it is permission granted by God. With freedom comes accountability, responsibility, and moral weight. Pharaoh’s loss of free will reveals how precious choice truly is. Much of life is beyond our control, but our moral responses are not. The Torah rejects victimhood and affirms personal agency. Belief in free will is the foundation of growth, repentance, and change. True freedom is the belief that a better tomorrow is possible.
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Taking Responsibility | Parsha with the Chief - Shemot
01/07/2026
Taking Responsibility | Parsha with the Chief - Shemot
Taking responsibility is one of the most subtle yet powerful forces shaping your life. Subtle, because it lives in the inner world, often invisible to others. Powerful, because it can change your life. Responsibility is, by definition, a heavy and demanding burden, but knowing how to harness its power will uplift your relationships, family, work and the trajectory of your personal growth. In Parshat Shemot, we meet Moshe Rabbeinu at the very beginning of his journey toward leadership. Before he speaks to Pharaoh, before miracles, before authority, Moses repeatedly steps forward when others step back, intervening in injustice, defending the vulnerable, and acting when “there is no one else.” Yet when Hashem calls upon him to lead the Jewish people, Moshe hesitates. Why would someone who takes responsibility so instinctively resist leadership? Drawing on Pirkei Avot and the teachings of our Sages, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein explores a profound distinction: the difference between doing a task and carrying the mental load - the inner responsibility for whether something truly succeeds or fails. Our Sages teach that the first place where there is “no one else” is within ourselves. Responsibility begins internally, long before it becomes visible leadership. This talk offers a Torah framework for understanding leadership, self-mastery, and the quiet inner work that precedes all meaningful responsibility. Key Ideas Responsibility is defined by the mental load, not by visible action The first place where there is “no one else” is within oneself Torah leadership flows from the inside out Moshe’s reluctance was humility, not avoidance Responsibility must be taken leshem shamayim
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Hanukkah: The Fight for Values
12/17/2025
Hanukkah: The Fight for Values
We are living through turbulent and confusing times. Much of what we see is filtered through politics and headlines. Hanukkah offers a completely different paradigm to make sense of everything. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein asks a foundational question: what is Hanukkah really about? The Gemara speaks about the miracle of the oil, but why would our Sages establish a new festival for all generations on that basis alone, especially in light of the many miracles recorded in Jewish history and even in the Beit HaMikdash itself? Tracing the story of Greek oppression and the spiritual assault on Torah, mitzvot, and Jewish identity, the shiur draws a crucial distinction between Purim and Hanukkah, as explained by the Levush and developed further by the Maharal. Purim was a battle for Jewish physical survival. Hanukkah was a battle for Judaism itself. Through Pirkei Avot 1:4 and the life of Yossi ben Yoezer, the Chief reveals why Hanukkah begins in the home, why the symbol is light, and why Torah learning is not only information but a worldview that shapes how we see reality. Hanukkah remains a paradigm for every generation facing an attack on Jewish values. Key Insights Hanukkah is a paradigm for interpreting turbulent times through a Torah lens. The miracle of the oil is not the full reason for the festival. It is the symbol of its essence. Purim was a physical threat to the Jewish people. Hanukkah was a spiritual threat to Judaism. A spiritual assault on Torah is an existential threat to Jewish existence (Maharal). The menorah represents the light of Torah values that illuminate life and history. Pirkei Avot 1:4 and Yossi ben Yoezer offer a blueprint for spiritual resistance that begins in the home.
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Difficult Relationships | Parsha with the Chief - Vayeishev
12/11/2025
Difficult Relationships | Parsha with the Chief - Vayeishev
Difficult relationships and conflict are woven into so many social dynamics - within family, friendship, work community and society - causing tension, distance and pain. Can these relationships be repaired? Can resentments and divisions be overcome? In this talk on the Parsha of Vayeishev, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the roots of conflict through the story of Yosef and his brothers. Drawing on Pirkei Avot and the classical commentaries, the Chief explains that conflict does not begin with an event. It begins within us: in jealousy, ego, resentment, competitiveness, the desire to be noticed, the need to be right. Our Sages teach that the path to peace begins with inner work: learning to see others with generosity, patience, and compassion; recognising the image of God in every person; and mastering the emotional impulses that push us toward anger or division. Peace is not avoidance. It is spiritual strength. It is the courage to rise above instinct and choose connection. Key Insights Conflict begins inside us, before it ever appears between us. The story of Yosef and his brothers reveals how jealousy, ego, and resentment distort how we see one another. Pirkei Avot teaches that peace is built through inner work, not external control. Seeing the image of God in others changes how we relate, respond, and repair. Peace requires emotional mastery and the courage to rise above instinct. The Torah’s model of peace begins with responsibility: I must work on me. Healing relationships begins with the heart, not the argument.
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Dealing with Fear | Parsha with the Chief: Vayishlach
12/03/2025
Dealing with Fear | Parsha with the Chief: Vayishlach
Fear is an intensely powerful and natural human emotion. It takes many forms. Fear of harm or failure or disapproval, fear of loss or rejection. These fears can be debilitating obstacles to our success and growth, and to fulfilling our potential. And yet sometimes fear is an entirely appropriate response to real threats. Sometimes it warns and protects us. Where is the balance? And how do we rise above our fears so that we can truly flourish? In this talk on Parshat Vayishlach, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores Yaakov’s encounter with Esav as the Torah’s model for facing fear with clarity, dignity, and faith. When the Torah says “Yaakov was very afraid,” the danger was real, and so was his fear. But the Torah uses this moment to reveal a deep truth: there is a way to face fear without being ruled by it. Yaakov responds with strategy, strength, and faith, and through his example, the Torah shows us the difference between fear that protects us and fear that holds us back. Our Sages teach that courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it. Prayer becomes the training ground for trust. And the soul - light, strong, and purposeful - has the power to rise above the inertia and hesitation that come from the body. This is a talk about fear, faith, and the quiet heroism of self-mastery. It is about discovering the courage that is already within us, and learning how to bring it forward. Key Insights Fear is natural. The question is how do we face it. Yaakov’s response: gifts, preparing for battle, prayer. Prayer trains us in trust. Pirkei Avot teaches faith through action. “Who is brave? One who conquers their inclination” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). Fear and laziness come from the body; courage comes from the neshama. “Be brave as a lion” - the Torah’s call to spiritual courage (5:23). The Shulchan Aruch teaches: rise like a lion to serve Hashem. Lead the day. True bravery is overcoming inappropriate fear through self-mastery.
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Message of the prophets to South Africa - Live at FNB Stadium, National Day of Prayer
12/03/2025
Message of the prophets to South Africa - Live at FNB Stadium, National Day of Prayer
A few days ago I had the privilege of speaking to more than 100,000 South Africans in the National Day of Prayer at FNB Stadium. The moment reveals something profound about the soul of the real South Africa. What I experienced was profoundly moving: the warmth of the crowd, the shared spirit of prayer, and the deep sense of unity that filled the stadium. And I felt something else: the genuine love and respect towards the South African Jewish community. Because we stand for the same values: faith, family, moral clarity, compassion, community. What happened in the stadium is a small part of something much larger. It reflects the real spirit of this country. National surveys from the Social Research Foundation, under the leadership of Dr Frans Cronje, show that the overwhelming majority of South Africans share the very values that build thriving societies. Values that are also at the heart of Jewish life, and at the heart of the free world. In my address, I spoke of our shared biblical heritage: the words of Isaiah, the Psalms, and the covenantal promise to Abraham: “Those who bless you will be blessed.” The crowd immediately recognised and embraced these verses. Their response was powerful and heartfelt. This is a message of hope, dignity, unity and of the powerful future we can build when we stand together. KEY INSIGHTS South Africa is united by shared moral values: faith, family, community, and compassion. The warmth toward the Jewish community reflects a deep national bond. Biblical values remain alive in the hearts of millions of South Africans. National surveys confirm: the majority of South Africans aspire to moderation, respect, and moral clarity. The Day of Prayer reveals the true spirit of the nation. It is far stronger than politics or division. Our shared values form the foundation for South Africa’s future. When people of faith stand together, they can shape a new national destiny.
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Finding Paradise | Parsha with the Chief: Vayeitzei
11/27/2025
Finding Paradise | Parsha with the Chief: Vayeitzei
There is a deep psychological need to find paradise - a state of bliss without stress, duty or struggle. Entire industries are built around that longing: leisure, entertainment, escape. Perhaps it is a yearning for the Garden of Eden we once had, and then lost. We have been searching for paradise ever since. But what are we really seeking? And are we looking in the right place? In this talk on Parshat Vayeitzei, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores Jacob’s dream - a ladder planted on the earth, reaching into the heavens - and reveals the Torah’s model for finding the paradise we seek. Drawing on Pirkei Avot (2:17), “All your deeds should be for the sake of heaven,” and the Rambam’s introduction to Pirkei Avot, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein shows how Jacob’s dream becomes a blueprint for daily life. Yaakov was about to begin an ordinary journey: earning a living, building a family, working in the marketplace. God shows him the ladder to teach him: what looks mundane can be connected to heaven. Viktor Frankl taught that the deepest human need is not pleasure but meaning. The Torah taught this centuries earlier: paradise is not escape. It is purpose. It is living with direction, holiness, and connection to something higher. Key Insights We’re all searching for paradise, but often looking in the wrong place. Jacob’s ladder shows that ordinary actions can connect earth to heaven. “All your deeds should be for the sake of heaven” - Pirkei Avot 2:17. The mundane can be part of a divine mission. “God is in this place, and I didn’t know.” Meaning, not pleasure, is the deepest human need. The Shechinah rests with those who live for the sake of heaven.
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Torah Philosophy of Time Management | Parsha with the Chief - Toldos
11/20/2025
Torah Philosophy of Time Management | Parsha with the Chief - Toldos
Life is short. The average human lifespan of 4000 weeks is, as Oliver Burkeman says, “absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short”. No increased productivity or efficiency can escape the limits of our mortality. How do we live with this? How do we confront the fact that our time is finite, and that nothing we do can change that? To explore this question, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein contrasts Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, with the Torah’s much deeper framework for understanding time itself. In this talk on Parshat Toldot, we examine the encounter between Yaakov and Esav as a case study in how human beings respond to mortality. Esav declares, “I am going to die. Of what use is the birthright to me?” His philosophy is simple: if everything ends, then only the present matters. But the Torah offers a radically different view. Pirkei Avot teaches that “this world is a prozdor - a corridor - before the next,” we discover that the way out of the 4,000 weeks is not by stretching them, but by using them to reach something beyond: eternity. Time is the most precious resource we possess. It is life itself. There is much to be done. And the task is impossible to finish. Yet our lives do not need to be tragic. They can be heroic. This is a lesson about time, purpose, mortality - and the heroic dignity of the human condition. Key Insights: Life is about 4,000 weeks - and we cannot escape that limit. Esav’s mistake: “I am going to die. What use is the birthright to me?” This world is a prozdor leading to Olam Haba - Pirkei Avot 4:21. The way out of the 4,000 weeks is through them and toward eternity. “If not now, when?” Rashi teaches: if I don’t do it here, I cannot do it there. Time becomes meaningful when it becomes eternal. Priority is the essence of Torah time management. We are born in the middle of things, we die in the middle of things. We are mortal, but also heroic - limited beings with access to infinity.
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My Journey After October 7th - The Common Sense Interview with the Chief Rabbi
11/18/2025
My Journey After October 7th - The Common Sense Interview with the Chief Rabbi
I was invited by The Common Sense - South Africa’s newest and most exciting online publication, led by Dr Frans Cronje - for a long-form interview about my journey since October 7th. In this conversation with Gabriel Makin, I reflect on leading the South African Jewish community through crisis, and standing up to the anti-Israel campaign advanced on behalf of Iran and Hamas. In this wide-ranging interview, the Chief Rabbi speaks about what it meant to guide the community through two years of uncertainty, pressure, and historic responsibility. The discussion explores the events after the October 7th massacre, the war that followed, the battle of ideas in South Africa, the challenge of rising antisemitism worldwide, and the moral and strategic lessons that have emerged. This is a conversation about leadership in a time of crisis — the decisions, the dilemmas, the inner work, and the profound sense of mission that shaped these last two years. Key Themes: Leadership under pressure - what crisis reveals about values and character South Africa’s political crossroads and the ANC’s stance on Israel Why public mobilisation of ordinary citizens matters The global struggle against jihadist extremism The moral foundations of Western civilisation Faith, meaning, and the erosion of spiritual confidence in the modern world Lessons from Israel’s resilience and miracle-filled survival Why true leadership demands responsibility, courage, and clarity
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The Search for Self-Worth | Parsha with the Chief - Chayei Sarah
11/13/2025
The Search for Self-Worth | Parsha with the Chief - Chayei Sarah
There is a deep psychological need that every human being has to impress other people. To be recognised, to be seen, respected, and to be valued. This need is real and demands to be fulfilled. But when we pursue it in the wrong way, it can be harmful to our happiness, our integrity, and our relationships. In this talk on the Parsha of Chayei Sarah, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores a foundational teaching from Pirkei Avot: “Say little and do much.” The Gemara contrasts two figures - Abraham and Ephron - as archetypes of righteousness and wickedness. Abraham promises little and delivers abundantly. Ephron promises generously and delivers nothing. What lies beneath this contrast? The answer lies in a deep longing that we all have: the search for recognition. Ephron’s grand promises came from a desperate need to impress others. Abraham, by contrast, wasn’t living for human applause. He lived for the recognition of Hashem. The Mishnah teaches that those who chase fame lose it, but “the crown of a good name” is bestowed by God Himself. The Rambam explains that true honor flows from integrity, humility, and doing good for its own sake. Hashem sees the effort, the sacrifice, and the hidden goodness even when no one else does. And when recognition comes from Him, it becomes steady, lasting, and real. This talk reveals a Torah model for navigating our deepest need for recognition in a way that frees us from the fragility of public opinion and anchors our self-worth in eternal values. Key Insights Recognition is a core human need, but where we seek it determines everything. “Say little and do much” - the Gemara’s blueprint for integrity. Abraham vs. Ephron: two models of greatness and emptiness. Ephron lived for applause - Abraham lived for God’s recognition. “Those who seek to spread their name lose it,” - the Mishnah’s warning about human validation. “The crown of a good name” is bestowed not by people, but by Hashem (Rambam). Hashem sees the effort, the sacrifice and the hidden goodness, even when no one else does. True recognition comes from living for a higher purpose, not for approval.
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How to Approach Difficulties in Life | Parsha with the Chief - Vayera
11/06/2025
How to Approach Difficulties in Life | Parsha with the Chief - Vayera
Life is filled with obstacles and problems. Some are small. Others shake us to the core. Setbacks and struggle punctuate the human condition. How do we deal with this reality? We need a mental model that’s honest and realistic, and also positive and productive. In this talk on the Parsha of Vayera, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores a profound Mishna from Pirkei Avot: Avraham Avinu was tested with ten tests, and he withstood them all. From persecution and exile to famine, war, family tension, and the ultimate trial of the Akeidah, Avraham’s life was defined not by ease, but by purpose. Each challenge revealed another layer of his faith and moral courage. The Rambam, Ramban, and Maharal reveal that these tests serve a dual purpose. They reveal greatness to others - turning struggle into inspiration - and they actualise hidden potential, transforming faith into action and possibility into reality. In the world of the soul, there is peace and clarity; in this world, there is struggle. And that struggle is the purpose. Every challenge, every obstacle, every test is an invitation to reveal who we truly are and to fulfil our soul’s mission on earth. Key Insights: Life itself is a test. Every moment offers spiritual opportunity. Avraham’s ten tests form the blueprint for resilience and greatness. Tests don’t punish. They refine and reveal. Struggle is the purpose, not the interruption. Our souls came into this world not for comfort, but for greatness. True leadership comes through example - Avraham as Avinu, not simply a teacher.
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The Leadership Model | Parsha with the Chief - Lech Lecha
10/29/2025
The Leadership Model | Parsha with the Chief - Lech Lecha
We often think leadership is only for those in official positions. But actually, we’re all leaders. Because leadership is about how we impact the lives of others. We’re leaders in family and community, at work, in society and wherever our actions touch others. I want to share a model of leadership that can change your life. In this talk on Parshat Lech Lecha, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores a Torah model of leadership that transcends titles and hierarchy. Drawing on Pirkei Avot, he contrasts two figures, Noach and Avraham. Both faced ten generations of moral decline, yet their approaches to leadership were worlds apart. Rashi teaches that Noach “walked with God” while Avraham “walked ahead of God.” What does that difference mean? And what does it teach us about how each of us can lead, influence, and build a better world? The Midrash and Sforno reveal a revolutionary idea about the difference between following instructions and taking responsibility. Through Avraham’s example, the Torah shows that true leadership begins not with power, but with partnership. It begins with the courage to step forward, to serve, and to illuminate the path for others. Key Insights: Leadership is for everyone. It's about how we influence others in every sphere of life. Noach and Avraham: two models, one transforms history. What made the difference? “Walked with God” vs. “Walked ahead of God.” Rashi’s contrast reveals the essence of leadership. From servant to partner, and the Torah’s radical vision of taking responsibility. Leadership begins with courage and responsibility, choosing to step forward and serve.
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Dynamics of Change | Parsha with the Chief - Noach
10/22/2025
Dynamics of Change | Parsha with the Chief - Noach
How do you reverse a negative trend in your life before it’s too late? And how do you catalyze positive change to transform your life for the good? The key is to understand the dynamics of change itself. The story of Noach teaches that just as decline unfolds step by step, so too can redemption. Each action, each decision, creates the world we live in, for good or for bad. Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein explores how societies rise and fall, and how individuals can transform their lives. Not through revolution, but through accumulation. The generation of the Flood becomes the ultimate case study: collapse and redemption share the same mechanism. Both happen gradually, then suddenly. The same process that destroys can also rebuild. Drawing from Pirkei Avot and the Rambam's account of the origins of idolatry, the Chief reveals that catastrophic change is cumulative, not instant. Small shifts, repeated over time, shape destiny. Wrongdoing doesn't just invite punishment; it destroys the world inherently. On the other hand, when we do what’s right, we become God’s partner in building the world. Since Hashem looked into the Torah and created the world, mitzvot are not just commands, they are the architecture of existence itself. Our choices create the moral fabric of the world. Every mitzvah, every act of chesed, every moment of Torah study accumulates to build integrity, compassion, and holiness. Key Insights: Change is incremental, not revolutionary - it happens gradually, then suddenly. The trend matters more than the moment - small shifts define destiny. Actions create reality, not just consequences - hashchatah shows that wrongdoing destroys the world inherently. Hashem created the world through Torah - mitzvot sustain creation itself. Collapse and redemption share the same mechanism - the process of destruction can become renewal. We shape our moral universe one choice, one act, at a time.
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Listen Now: 'We have won' - SAZF speech
10/19/2025
Listen Now: 'We have won' - SAZF speech
Almost two years to the day since the October 7 attacks, Israel has achieved peace through strength, and South African Jews have stood firm against the ANC government. These past two years have taught us powerful lessons about moral courage, unity, and a formula for securing the future. The remaining hostages have been returned. The war in Gaza has ended. Israel stands victorious, a nation tested in fire, guided by faith, and strengthened by purpose. In this address, delivered before thousands at the South African Zionist Federation gathering, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein reflects on what this moment means, for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for the moral future of the world. This is not just a political milestone. It is a spiritual reckoning, a moment to give thanks to Hashem and to recognize the leadership that made it possible: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stood firm against pressure; President Donald Trump, whose mediation brought the hostages home; and the countless men and women whose courage and sacrifice secured this victory. Two years after condemning President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC for standing on the wrong side of history, I return to the same stage to remind the world: Israel’s survival is not an accident of power. It is a testament to divine providence, faith, and moral conviction. Key insights: How Israel achieved peace through strength Why Israel’s victory is moral, not just military How South African Jews stood firm against the ANC The global moral test revealed by this war The formula for securing the Jewish future The spiritual meaning of victory and redemption in our time #Israel #October7 #MoralClarity #FaithAndCourage #JewishUnity #TorahWisdom #WesternValues #HumanDignity #Netanyahu #DonaldTrump #CyrilRamaphosa
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The Purpose of Life | Parsha with the Chief - Bereishit
10/17/2025
The Purpose of Life | Parsha with the Chief - Bereishit
What is the purpose of life? It’s the most important question of all. Why was the world created? Why do human beings exist? What does Hashem want from us? The Torah begins with Bereishit - the story of creation - to answer these questions. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the Torah’s vision of purpose through the lens of Pirkei Avot and the great commentators. Their insights reveal that creation was not random, but intentional - shaped by moral and spiritual purpose. The Mishna teaches that God created the world with Ten Statements, when He could have done it with one — showing that every part of creation reflects deliberate design and meaning. Nothing was created by accident. That same care and intention extend to us. Through the choices we make, each of us becomes a partner in creation, building or destroying our own personal world. This stands in stark contrast to those that see the universe as a product of chance or indifference. The Torah teaches us the truth: our Creator who acts with care created us with purpose, which brings the potential for meaning into every moment of existence. When we understand this, life itself changes. Every action becomes an opportunity to fulfil the purpose for which the world was made. Key insights: • Why the Torah begins with creation, and what that reveals about purpose • How Pirkei Avot uncovers the moral design within creation • Why God created the world with Ten Statements, and what it teaches about divine intent • How human choice determines the meaning of our personal world • How understanding purpose transforms every moment into mission #PurposeOfLife #Bereishit #TorahWisdom #PirkeiAvot #JewishPhilosophy #Meaning #Creation #ChiefRabbiWarrenGoldstein #FaithAndPurpose #Hashem
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Blessings of Vulnerability | Sukkot with the Chief
10/05/2025
Blessings of Vulnerability | Sukkot with the Chief
Human vulnerability is profound and inescapable. And yet, one of our deepest psychological longings is for safety and security. We need to know everything will be okay. But the world offers no guarantees. How do we make peace with being fundamentally vulnerable? Sukkot provides the answer. We leave our secure homes for the sukkah, a temporary dwelling that must be fragile enough to let rain through. After Yom Kippur's vulnerability, we paradoxically make ourselves more vulnerable, and find joy in it. Drawing on Pirkei Avot and the story of the Jewish people's birth in the desert, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein reveals how the sukkah teaches us to transform vulnerability from threat into gift. When we understand that this world's purpose is growth rather than comfort, vulnerability becomes the key to humility, empathy, gratitude, and meaning. Key insights: Why the sukkah commemorates the Jewish people's most vulnerable moment What the desert journey teaches about human vulnerability Why this world's purpose differs from the world to come Why justice belongs to the next world, not this one How vulnerability cultivates humility, empathy, and gratitude How purpose and meaning create true happiness Why radical acceptance of vulnerability leads to joy #Sukkot #Vulnerability #JewishWisdom #PirkeiAvot #TorahWisdom
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Your Second Chance | Yom Kippur with the Chief
09/27/2025
Your Second Chance | Yom Kippur with the Chief
Yom Kippur is a celebration of the human capacity to change. Making mistakes is part of being human. But Yom Kippur tells us something radical: our mistakes don't overwhelm us. Failure is not the end of the story. You can rewrite your past. Growth is born in struggle. It is not a day of humiliation, but of hope. It's not a day of fear, but of transformation. Yom Kippur commemorates Moshe bringing down the second set of tablets from Mount Sinai. Hashem forgave the sin of the golden calf and gave the Jewish people the chance to begin again. We all get a second chance. The deeper challenge is to take that second chance, and turn it into something uplifting, rather than something shameful. Drawing on Pirkei Avot, Kohelet, the Rambam, and Chazal, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein shows how teshuva (repentance) is not just a way to fix what went wrong, but it is the very purpose of life. We explore why Hashem built teshuva into the fabric of creation, and how Yom Kippur reveals the dignity of human struggle and the possibility of spiritual renewal. Key Insights: Yom Kippur commemorates the ultimate second chance: forgiveness after the golden calf Teshuva is not a concession, but the essence of life and the highest human calling The struggle of being human is not a flaw, but the context for greatness Hashem built teshuva into creation as a divine act of compassion One moment of teshuva in this world outweighs all the pleasures of the next Yom Kippur is one of the happiest days, because we are capable of change
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Why God Judges Us | Rosh Hashanah with the Chief
09/19/2025
Why God Judges Us | Rosh Hashanah with the Chief
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the thought of being judged by God can feel unsettling. It brings discomfort. Even fear. But Divine judgment is actually one of the greatest gifts that Hashem gives us. Understanding why, reveals a perspective on Rosh Hashanah that turns everything we thought we knew, on its head. Drawing from Pirkei Avot and the deeper meaning of this Day of Judgment, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein shows how being held accountable by God is the ultimate affirmation of human dignity and the purpose of life. The King of Kings created a day of judgement to help us, and gave us the idea of Divine accountability because every choice we make matters eternally. This Jewish New Year, as the season of the High Holidays begins, discover why Divine accountability transforms how we understand our worth and purpose. Key insights: Why being judged proves your infinite worth How Pirkei Avot reframes divine accountability What makes Rosh Hashanah different from human judgment Why mattering to God changes everything about how we live The connection between judgment, teshuva, and eternal significance? #RoshHashanah #HighHolidays #YomHadin #JewishNewYear #JewishWisdom
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3 paths to self-awareness | Parsha with the Chief - Ki Tavo
09/10/2025
3 paths to self-awareness | Parsha with the Chief - Ki Tavo
Self-awareness is the gateway to success. When we see ourselves clearly - strengths and weaknesses, victories and mistakes - we know where to double down, and where to improve. But how do we be objective about ourselves? Drawing on Pirkei Avot, with an illuminating idea in this week’s parsha Ki Tavo, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein reveals three pathways to transcending our inherent subjectivity and achieving objective self-assessment. First, through genuine dialogue with others: learning to listen, respond appropriately, and admit ignorance when necessary. Second, through Torah study with others, which forces us to seek wisdom external to ourselves and develop the humility to receive criticism. Third, through cultivating awe of God and living with awareness that we will one day stand before Hashem and account for our actions, cutting through all rationalizations and self-deception. Key Insights: • Vidui (confession) includes declaring both our mistakes AND our successes — complete self-awareness requires knowing what we're doing right so we can amplify it. • Avot teaches us to avoid rationalising and spinning our own narrative when assessing ourselves • True dialogue requires listening before speaking, addressing points in order, and having the humility to say “I don't know.” • Torah study with chavruta (study partners) naturally develops objectivity by forcing us to seek wisdom external to ourselves and receive input from others. • Living with yirat Hashem (awe of God) provides the ultimate objective perspective — imagining how our actions appear before the ultimate Judge who sees through all subjectivity. • The goal isn't perfection but rather developing— appropriate self-awareness in relation to others and to Hashem. #KiTavo #SelfAssessment #ObjectiveThinking #JewishWisdom #PirkeiAvot #TeshuvaTechniques #CharacterDevelopment #TorahLearning #SpiritualGrowth #YomKippurPreparation
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Shaping your environment | Parsha with the Chief: Ki Teitzei
09/04/2025
Shaping your environment | Parsha with the Chief: Ki Teitzei
Environment - physical and human - shapes our actions and worldview. What if you could design it to work for you instead of against you? The key is not to passively accept the environment as we find it, resigned to the status quo. The question we need to ask is this - how do we proactively shape our environment for success. This talk by Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein on the Parsha of Ki Teitzei, from the perspective of Pirkei Avot, explores the Torah's wisdom on building protective boundaries around what matters most. From the mitzvah to build a fence around your roof to the deeper principles of creating environments that foster growth and protect against harm. The parsha reveals how Torah approaches environmental design: not just physical safety, but moral, spiritual, and emotional culture, values and context that enable flourishing. Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein examines how ancient wisdom aligns with modern understanding about context, habit formation, and the power of surroundings to shape character. Key insights: - Why building boundaries is a Torah obligation - How environment shapes character and choices - The connection between physical and spiritual fences - What the Rambam teaches about protective structures - How to design contexts that promote growth #KiTeitzei #Torah #Boundaries #Environment #JewishWisdom
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Finding Clarity | Parsha with the Chief: Shoftim
08/28/2025
Finding Clarity | Parsha with the Chief: Shoftim
Decisions that lead to growth, success, and lasting happiness depend on clarity. Clarity in how we think. Clarity in how we see. Clarity in how we judge people and situations. But that clarity is constantly undermined by human bias, which distorts how we see the world and how we see ourselves. How do we overcome it? This week’s Torah portion Shoftim, together with Pirkei Avot, presents a practical Torah framework for recognising bias, restoring clarity, and making decisions that are grounded in truth and guided by values. Drawing from the laws of justice and the concept of prophecy, it reveals the hidden connection between character refinement and clear thinking. Why do even brilliant people fall for obvious lies? Why do we make the same mistakes repeatedly? Because bias isn’t just about external pressure—it lives inside us, invisible and inescapable. But Torah offers more than diagnosis. Through the framework of prophecy as clarity, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein shows how intellectual mastery and moral greatness can help us see reality more clearly. Key insights: Why complete objectivity is impossible for humans How character flaws distort our perception of reality The difference between procedural and substantive justice What the Rambam teaches about prophecy and clarity How refining character leads to better decisions #Shoftim #Bias #DecisionMaking #Torah #JewishWisdom
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How to Access Abundance | Parsha with the Chief: Re'eh
08/21/2025
How to Access Abundance | Parsha with the Chief: Re'eh
Is the world a place of survival of the fittest, fighting for scarce resources, or Divine abundance where everyone can thrive? These opposing perspectives are at the heart of how we relate to others. Do we see people as competitors whose success comes at our expense, or as partners in creating something greater together? In this teaching on Parshat Re’eh, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores a Mishnah that reveals four character types, and how they shape the way we see others. Are people our competitors for limited resources, or partners in Divine abundance? The Torah’s approach to giving, competition, and relationships flows from a deeper question: do we live with a mindset of scarcity or of abundance? Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein unpacks why the highest character trait is wanting others to thrive — and how that reflects Hashem’s own way of giving. Key insights: - The four character types around “mine” and “yours” - Why scarcity thinking drains the soul - How abundance transforms relationships - The deep link between giving and divine character - Why wanting others to succeed lifts everyone #Reeh #Torah #Character #Giving #JewishWisdom
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Thriving in Uncertainty | Parsha with the Chief: Eikev
08/14/2025
Thriving in Uncertainty | Parsha with the Chief: Eikev
We live in a world of constant change - nothing stays the same. This can lead to fear, anxiety, or the opposite: denial of reality and damaging overconfidence. The Torah offers a different path. In this uplifting talk, the Chief Rabbi explains how awareness of Hashem grounds us with the strength and humility to face the unknown. The key is not control - it is faith. In this discussion you will learn about how to hold confidence and caution together without tipping into either extreme. Drawing on wisdom from Pirkei Avot, the Rambam, and the Maharal, he reveals why overconfidence and anxiety share the same source. Key insights: Why hubris and fear share the same source What it means to truly remember what matters most How to live with uncertainty without anxiety The difference between confidence and arrogance #Eikev #Wisdom #Hubris #LifeLessons
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Think Different | Parsha with the Chief: Va'etchanan
08/07/2025
Think Different | Parsha with the Chief: Va'etchanan
Information and knowledge stream everywhere. In a world overflowing with ideas and content, what makes Torah different? In this week's message on the Parsha of Va'etchanan, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein explores what sets Torah apart in the knowledge economy. While the world now prizes information and insight, Judaism has always placed Torah learning at the top. Yet the real distinction isn't just in how much we value learning, but in the qualitatively different kind of knowledge that Torah offers. Torah is not human wisdom. It's Divine. It doesn't just inform. It transforms. From the mitzvah of Talmud Torah, to the values of Pirkei Avot, to the transformative nature of Halacha, this teaching explores how Torah reshapes our actions, character, and worldview. Key themes: What makes Torah fundamentally different from all other knowledge Why Torah study transforms the learner The Midrash on wisdom vs. Torah among the nations Halacha as action-oriented transformation How Torah becomes the story of our lives #Torah #Knowledge #Transformation #Vaetchanan
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Tisha B'Av and the Hidden Work of a Torah Jew
07/31/2025
Tisha B'Av and the Hidden Work of a Torah Jew
Why doesn't Pirkei Avot mention the prohibition against Lashon Hara? The ultimate guide to Jewish ethics never brings up one of our most discussed interpersonal laws. In this transformative Tisha B'Av teaching, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein reveals that this apparent oversight actually holds the key to understanding what Torah life is really about. In this shiur: The profound difference between avoiding sin and building spiritual greatness How the Chafetz Chaim's teachings connect to Pirkei Avot's deeper mission Why character development forms the invisible foundation of Torah observance The link between sinat chinam, the Temple's destruction, and our personal growth A practical approach to becoming someone who naturally lifts others up This goes far beyond improving our speech. Rabbi Goldstein shows how we can become fundamentally different people through the patient work of humility, inner refinement, and genuine concern for others. The lesson speaks directly to anyone wrestling with spiritual growth, students exploring mussar and Jewish ethics, those reflecting during the Three Weeks, or people curious about applying ancient wisdom to modern character challenges. The shiur offers something rare: a fresh perspective on familiar concepts that actually changes how you approach your own development. Instead of focusing on what not to do, it maps out who to become. Listen now and discover the inner work that transforms more than behavior. It transforms souls. Subscribe for Torah insights that challenge surface-level thinking and reveal the deeper currents of Jewish wisdom.
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Mastering anger | Parsha with the Chief: Matot-Masei
07/25/2025
Mastering anger | Parsha with the Chief: Matot-Masei
Anger is never isolated — it draws strength from across our inner world. By understanding its true nature, we begin to reclaim control, heal relationships, and grow in ways that truly matter. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the root of anger through the lens of this week’s parsha Matot-Masei, and the teachings of Pirkei Avot. He shows how it is never isolated. Anger is one of the most powerful — and most dangerous — forces in the human heart. Left unchecked, it can fracture relationships, destroy inner peace, and block us from becoming who we are meant to be. But where does anger come from? What are its roots? And how do we understand and overcome it, rather than suppress it? Topics covered: The psychology and character roots of anger How Judaism views anger as a spiritual challenge Tools for overcoming destructive emotions How to build inner peace, self-awareness, and personal greatness 📖 Based on Parshat Matot-Masei 🎙️ Part of the Parsha with the Chief series #JewishWisdom #EmotionalGrowth #ParshaWithTheChief #OvercomingAnger #TorahInsights #InnerPeace #PirkeiAvot #PersonalGrowth #JewishLeadership
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When to be brazen | Parsha with the Chief: Pinchas
07/17/2025
When to be brazen | Parsha with the Chief: Pinchas
When to be bold, and when to be gentle? When to challenge and when to pacify? When to speak up, and when to step back? These are some of the trickiest questions we face in leadership, parenting, business, and everyday life. In this shiur on Parshat Pinchas, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the tension between moral courage and emotional sensitivity—between boldness and humility. Drawing from the story of Pinchas, the mishnas of Pirkei Avot, and the teachings of the Tur, Rambam, Sforno, Rabbeinu Bachya, and others, the Chief Rabbi shares a powerful roadmap for navigating complex human relationships. It’s not about being right. It’s about doing what’s right - with conscience, compassion, and the courage to act from a higher place.
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What brings success? | Parsha with the Chief: Balak
07/10/2025
What brings success? | Parsha with the Chief: Balak
There is more to achieving success than intelligence, strategy, charisma, or hard work. Pirkei Avot and this week’s parsha, Balak, reveal a three-part formula for holistic success in family, career, happiness, and legacy. A powerful mishna offers a striking contrast between two individuals: Bilam, brilliant but broken, and Avraham, humble and lasting. Through Pirkei Avot, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores how character, not just competence, determines our ability to thrive. We unpack three core traits that shape who we become: generosity vs. jealousy, humility vs. arrogance, and restraint vs. desire. Success, the Torah teaches, isn’t about building status. It’s about building self. When our values align with timeless truth, we flourish — in this world, and the next.
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Defying Death | Parsha with the Chief: Chukat
07/03/2025
Defying Death | Parsha with the Chief: Chukat
One of the most defining aspects of being human is death. It happens to everyone. How do we relate to it? How do we understand it? How does it shape the way we think and live? Because how we approach death is, in truth, how we approach life itself. In this week’s parsha, Chukat, we read about Miriam and Aaron passing away. The Torah also introduces the laws of Parah Adumah — the purifying ritual for those who encounter death. These events confront us with the reality of mortality and invite us to think deeply about what our time in this world really means. Pirkei Avot teaches that death is not simply an end, but a transition — a return of the soul to its Creator. This perspective changes everything: it gives our days urgency, fills them with purpose, and reminds us that every choice echoes beyond this world. In this shiur, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores how facing death with wisdom can transform the way we live, love, and grow. Because understanding death helps us live a life that truly matters.
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What drives you? | Parsha with the Chief : Korach
06/26/2025
What drives you? | Parsha with the Chief : Korach
It’s not easy to confront the quiet pull of ego. But when our motivations reach beyond self, something changes in us — we are strengthened, not drained. We can access the love, respect and meaning we need to hold our family, community and society together. In Parshat Korach, we find a rebellion that sounds like a call for equality — but beneath the surface lies a deeper lesson. One about the motivation of those who seek power, and what happens when personal ambition disguises itself as higher principle. In this shiur, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the tension between ambition and meaning, personal gain and higher purpose. Drawing from Pirkei Avot and the story of Korach, he reveals how our deepest motivations shape not only our own lives, but the strength and stability of the communities around us. Because motivation isn’t just a private force. It’s what holds — or breaks — families, friendships, leadership, and society itself.
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