Inspire
Conference recordings from Inspire 2006 and 2007.
Keynote speech
The keynote address by Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar at the Inspire 2007 conference, setting the tone and themes for the gathering. Rabbi Lipskar draws on his experience as a longtime Chabad emissary and...
The Dynamics of Faith
A talk by Rabbi Yitzhak Schochet from the Inspire 2007 conference on the nature, development, and dynamics of emunah (faith) in Jewish life. The talk explores how faith is not merely intellectual...
Laws of Shemita
A talk by Dayan Leivi Yitzhak Raskin from the Inspire 2007 conference on the laws and significance of Shemita, the Sabbatical year commanded in the Torah. The talk covers the halachic details of...
Day of Rest - what about the Rest?
A talk by Rabbi Mendy Lew from the Inspire 2007 conference examining what Shabbat as a "day of rest" truly means in practice, and what aspects of life and spirit are nourished during this weekly...
The World Aflame
A talk by Rebbetzin Chana Weisberg from the Inspire 2007 conference addressing the spiritual urgency of our times and the unique role of Jewish women in responding to the challenges of the modern...
Shabbat for a Healthy Body and Soul
A talk by Rabbi Yosi Asherov from the Inspire 2007 conference on the physical and spiritual health benefits of Shabbat observance. Drawing on Jewish sources and contemporary understanding, the talk...
Free talk with Oxford/Cambridge students
An open question-and-answer session by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz from the Inspire 2007 conference with students from Oxford and Cambridge universities. The discussion ranges across topics of faith,...
The Secret of Shabbat
A talk by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz from the Inspire 2007 conference revealing the deeper spiritual meaning of Shabbat beyond its role as a day of rest. Drawing on kabbalistic and Chassidic sources, the...
The Kabbalah of Kiddush
A talk by Rabbi Nisan Dovid Dubov from the Inspire 2007 conference exploring the mystical and kabbalistic dimensions of the Shabbat Kiddush. The talk examines how the recitation of Kiddush over wine...
Journey through Tanya
A talk by Rabbi Mendel Gordon from the Inspire 2006 conference guiding participants through the Tanya, the foundational text of Chabad Chassidism written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. The talk...
Halachic issues the Rebbe campaigned for
A talk by Rabbi Chaim Rapoport from the Inspire 2006 conference examining the specific halachic causes that the Lubavitcher Rebbe championed throughout his leadership. The talk covers issues...
New Age Chassidim vs Old Age Chassid
A talk by Rabbi Yona Pruss from the Inspire 2006 conference examining the tension between contemporary, culturally-informed approaches to Chassidism and the traditional, disciplined practice of...
The Need for a Rebbe
A talk by Rabbi Leibush Heller from the Inspire 2006 conference on why a Chassidic master, the Rebbe, is indispensable for genuine spiritual growth. The talk explores the unique role of the Rebbe as...
Wave of interest in Kabbalah
A talk by Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet from the Inspire 2006 conference examining the widespread popular interest in Kabbalah in contemporary culture, including the rise of celebrity Kabbalah centres. The...
Nature of leadership: ability to admit responsibility
A talk by Rabbi Yossi Jacobson from the Inspire 2006 conference on the essential qualities of Torah-true leadership, focusing on the capacity to acknowledge mistakes and take genuine responsibility....
Personal relationship with the spirituality of Chassidism
A talk by Rabbi Shlomo Levin from the Inspire 2006 conference on cultivating a personal and living relationship with the spiritual teachings of Chassidism. The talk explores how Chassidic philosophy...
Rebbe's approach to Zionism, Feminism and Outreach
A talk by Rebbetzin Rivka Slonim from the Inspire 2006 conference examining the Lubavitcher Rebbe's distinctive positions on three major contemporary issues: Zionism, feminism, and Jewish outreach....
We Wanted Moshiach Yesterday
A talk by Rabbi Shmuel Lew from the Inspire 2006 conference exploring the Chabad community's passionate longing for the Messianic redemption. The talk examines the theological basis for expecting the...