web analytics
May 21, 2013 /12 Sivan, 5773
At a Glance ▼
Judaism
Sponsored Post
jumping Following a Passion for Sports to Israel

In Israel, a new five month scholarship program being offered to young aspiring athletes – one of them could be you.



Home » Judaism » Torah »

‘Torah Live’

Published: October 6th, 2010
Latest update: August 21st, 2012
tell a friend

Rabbi Dan Roth’s very first day teaching in yeshiva did not at all go as planned. After learning in kollel for many years in some of the best yeshivos in Israel, Rabbi Roth got his first job teaching in a program for teens-at-risk. A short time before taking the job, he wrote a sefer on modern-day lessons gleaned from the teachings of Pirkei Avos. In the process of writing the book, he realized that he had a talent for making Torah concepts relevant and down-to-earth.

 

 The book was aptly entitled Relevance (www.relevance.co.il). He was certain his material would inspire his new students. Rabbi Roth was in for a shock. His first class was a total nightmare. The students completely ignored him and even walked out of the room – enough to make anyone say goodbye to a career in teaching. Instead of quitting, however, Rabbi Roth decided to try to get to the root of the problem.

 

The Solution

 

As he thought about it, he realized that the issue wasn’t the kids or the material – it was the entire generation. “Today people are used to absorbing information in a whole different way,” he explained. “Internet and television have changed the way people learn. We need to teach Torah in today’s language.” The result was the development of dynamic multi-media Torah presentations. Students, who were previously unable to sit through a class, were suddenly on the edge of their seats. By speaking their language, they were turned on to Torah and felt it part of their lives. Thus was born Torah Live.

 

 

A Torah Live presentation in Munich, Germany

 

 

Together with a team of talented graphic designers and programmers, Torah Live has since produced close to a dozen interactive state-of-the-art multimedia presentations on a variety of Torah topics, from the intricacies of halacha to the beauty of hashkafa, all under the guidance of Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovitz. Topics include: materialism and happiness; how to reach success; conquering anger; as well as the laws of Mezuzah, Yichud, Arba Minim and more. Using cutting-edge special effects, coupled with a healthy dose of humor, Torah Live engages audiences of all ages and religious backgrounds. Rabbi Roth has presented over 100 lectures in 50 cities around the globe to schools, businesses, shuls, and kiruv organizations, each tailored to the unique needs of the particular audience, for maximum effectiveness.

 

 Presentations given to mixed secular and religious audiences in Israel have completely bridged the divide that traditionally separates both sectors of society. The non-threatening nature of the lectures makes them ideal for anyone regardless of their background. “The versatility of Torah Live is evidence of the Torah’s eternal message,” Rabbi Roth said. “We need only find the right way to present it to each distinct audience in the right language.”

 

“Every generation has a different voice and a different way of hearing things,” Rabbi Akiva Tatz explained in an exclusive interview with The Jewish Press. “Nowadays, people don’t connect to dry intellectualism. Torah Live presents real Torah content without compromise. It uses graphic, dynamic, and creative ways to catch the imagination of our generation.” Following the words of Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch, the goal is to show that “authentic Judaism . . . does not belong to an antiquated past but to a living, pulsating present . . .”

 

A Torah Live presentaiton in PriceWaterhouseCoopers (London)

 

 

Renowned mechanech Rabbi Noach Orlowek said of Torah Live that it could be called a new vessel filled with old wine. “The medium may be new, but it is full of old, authentic Torah, showing people the beauty and simplicity of even the most complex halachos.”

 

             Seeing the impact the presentations were having, Torah Live has now begun licensing its materials to schools and kiruv organizations around the world, empowering them with the training and tools to deliver Torah Live presentations themselves for the benefit of their students and communities.

 

Cashing In

 

After watching the lecture on Ma’aser Kesafim, many viewers reported tithing their money for the very first time. Shortly after watching the presentation one businessman was about to close a big deal. He promised Hashem that if the deal went through he would give $200,000 to tzedakah. “I realized the incredible power of multi-media to get through to people,” Rabbi Roth said. “Here was a regular guy, not a philanthropist by any means – ready to give philanthropic sums for the first time in his life after simply watching an hour presentation. Who would ever think that people would be happy about giving away money? What started as a teaching disaster with a group of teenage boys ended up beginning a new era in education. It’s a revolutionary way to get people excited about Torah.”

 

“We can do any topic – there’s no end to how far we can go,” Rabbi Roth said. “The Torah has an opinion on all the issues that the world is struggling with today – not only an opinion but a deeper take – that’s higher, subtler, and more profound. Let’s make it available globally so that everyone can have access to our rich heritage.”

 

Rabbi Roth will be traveling the world in the coming year presenting Torah Live. His itinerary is as follows: Oct 10-15, UK; Nov 7-17, USA; Jan 2- 12 South Africa; Feb 6- 11, UK; March 1-13, Australia; May 11- 19, USA; June 13- 20, UK. To bring a Torah Live lecture to your community or to find out how to license the material for use in your organization, e-mail, info@torahlive.co.il or visit www.torahlive.co.il.

tell a friend

About the Author:


You might also be interested in:


no comments

Comments are closed.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Current Top Story
Ultra Orthodox Jewish youths studying religious texts at a Yeshiva in Jerusalem
Haredi Tycoons Raising $100 Million to Replace Lapid’s Budget Cuts
Latest Judaism Stories
Torah-Anytime-logo
Judaism → Torah

I watch my children use blocks to build a large structure, observing the trepidation with which they add each block. As the structure becomes larger there is a greater risk of it collapsing, thus bringing an end to an hour of playful labor. I anticipate what will happen when one child adds a block to the top floor, compromising the integrity of the building and resulting in the collapse of the entire structure. The argument that ensues is predictable, as each child blames the other for “ruining” the fun. As an adult, I wonder about the need to attribute blame. Will assigning blame be instrumental in rebuilding the structure?

Taste-of-Lomdus-logo
Judaism → Parsha

In this week’s parshah the Torah discusses the halachos of when one steals from another and when confronted in beis din, the thief swears falsely with his denial that he stole. This parshah was already taught in parshas Vayikra; however, there are two halachos that the Torah adds in this parshah to this topic.

Judaism → Halacha & Hashkafa

In order to carry from one’s home into the street (even when the area is enclosed by a properly constructed eruv), the eruvin ceremony must be performed. This ceremony involves the placing of food in one designated home on behalf of all Sabbath observers in the enclosed area. In order for the eruvin ceremony to be valid, however, it must be performed on behalf of all owners of streets and homes in the enclosed area.

Business-Halacha-logo
Judaism → Halacha & Hashkafa

Hymie was visiting Israel and enjoying an afternoon with his grandchildren in the park. After pushing them on the swings and watching them slither down the slides, he went to sit down on a bench in the corner of the park.

Judaism → Halacha & Hashkafa

Question: On Friday night the chazzan in many shuls ascends the bimah for Kabbalat Shabbos but goes to the amud starting for Barchu. Why?

Judaism → Ask the Rabbi

Question: As Shavuot is fast approaching – a holiday on which we dwell on the story of Ruth and the origins of the royal house of David – I was wondering if you could help me resolve something. Some people say that Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi, the redactor of the six orders of the Mishnah and a scion of King David, purposely kept any mention of Chanukah and the Hasmonean kings out of the Mishnah because the Hasmoneans improperly crowned themselves and ignored the rule that all Jewish kings are supposed to come from the tribe of Yehudah. Is this true?

Menachem
(Via E-Mail)

Judaism → Parsha

The Rema writes (Ohr Hachaim, 494:4), “It is customary to spread branches of trees in our synagogues and homes [on Shavuos] in order to commemorate that which the sages say [Rosh Hashanah 16a] that on Shavuos the world is judged concerning [how many] fruits the trees will produce [that year].”

Judaism → Halacha & Hashkafa

Summer Eruvin
‘A Separate Contribution From Each’
(Eruvin 72b)

Judaism → Parsha

If a man suspects his wife of infidelity, he is to bring witnesses and warn her not to go into private quarters with the man in question. If she violates that warning, he is to bring her to the kohen, who will give her the “bitter waters” to drink. If she was falsely accused and was innocent, she will be blessed with children. If she was guilty, she will die a gruesome death.

Judaism → Columns → Lessons In Emunah

A flash of red caught my eye, and I looked up and saw a cardinal perched on the picnic table on my deck. What a miracle, I marveled. You’re beautiful. Thanks, Hashem. And then my mind’s wheels began to roll, and it struck me that several miracle stories had come my way this week. The stories prodded me to think of and feel Hashem’s presence as a more tangible and vivid reality.

Judaism → Rebbetzin's Viewpoint

Over the years I’ve received letters from all over the world in which people share feelings and thoughts they’ve experienced upon becoming became Torah observant. Usually these letters arrive not long after the writers had heard one of my speeches. No matter where a particular speech took place, and no matter whether I spoke the language or had to use a translator, the magic always works. In reality, it’s not magic at all but a little voice in the soul – the “Pintele Yid,” that spark of G-d’s Word engraved on all our neshamahs. Here is one recent letter.

Judaism → Parsha

By the time these words are printed, there will be only a few more days left before Shavuos. We hope that up until that point, we will still have been counting the days of Sefiras Ha’Omer with a bracha, but we also know that too often, despite our best efforts, we drop out of counting with a bracha some time before the count is complete.

Judaism → Parsha

In this week’s parshah the Torah tells us that the bechorim were replaced by the levi’im to serve in the Mikdash. The Torah says that there were 273 more bechorim than levi’im. Those bechorim could not simply be replaced, and had to be redeemed. Hashem told Moshe that each bechor should give five shekalim to Moshe, who, in turn, should give them to Aharon and his sons. With that, they would be redeemed.

Judaism → Halacha & Hashkafa

Question: Is there anything special that one should do on Yom Yerushalayim?

Judaism → Ask the Rabbi

Question: As the shamash in a small community shul with an aging population, I am faced with numerous challenges. The following is only one of them. During sefirah, different people daven for the amud for Ma’ariv. Once, a bar mitzvah was one of them. On another occasion, a very recent ger lead the service. Were these individuals allowed to lead the congregation in counting sefirah? I also wonder, in general, if everyone should be trusted to lead the counting. What if someone forgot to count on one of the previous nights but does not inform anyone of this?

No Name
(Via E-Mail)

More Articles from Gavriel Horan
The "Mezuzah: The Ultimate Connector” is Torah Live’s most recent DVD offering.
Judaism → Judaism 101

Nowadays, Jewish parents and educators must ask themselves how they can present Torah and mitzvot in a way that speaks to this generation. To many youth today, Judaism’s rich heritage seems outdated, irrelevant and boring.

Sections → Community

When Dr. David Shashar of Ramat Gan was called out to serve in the Paratrooper reserves during the Second Lebanon War of 2006, his goal was to help heal wounded soldiers. He never thought that he would become one himself. When two Hizbullah anti-tank missiles hit the house he was staying in, killing nine soldiers, he was among the 30 to be seriously injured. Dr. Shashar was hospitalized for the next three months in an attempt to save his arm from amputation. He underwent numerous reconstruction operations over the next three years, a number of which were in Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital. The Ministry of Defense referred him to ROFEH International – a comprehensive medical referral and bikur cholim service founded by the Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Horowitz, zt”l.

Judaism → Torah

Rabbi Dan Roth’s very first day teaching in yeshiva did not at all go as planned. After learning in kollel for many years in some of the best yeshivos in Israel, Rabbi Roth got his first job teaching in a program for teens-at-risk. A short time before taking the job, he wrote a sefer on modern-day lessons gleaned from the teachings of Pirkei Avos. In the process of writing the book, he realized that he had a talent for making Torah concepts relevant and down-to-earth.

Sections → Community

Last week, a quiet revolution took place in the Judean Hills outside Jerusalem. One hundred and twenty parents and children from the Former Soviet Union visited Israel for the first time to participate in a groundbreaking mission. The children, ages 12-14, were all prospective students of Lezion B’rina and its sister school Bat Zion, located in Beitar and Jerusalem, respectively. For nearly 20 years, the Lezion B’rina Institute has been a second home for hundreds of Russian Jewish students who have left their birth land to seek a better future in the Jewish homeland.

    Latest Poll

    Which is the most beautiful location in Jerusalem?









    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...

Printed from: http://www.jewishpress.com/judaism/torah/torah-live/2010/10/06/

Scan this QR code to visit this page online:

No related posts.

Close