In episode thirty-three of the 48 Ways series during the Omer, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe teaches Ehov Et HaTzedek — “love the righteous” and love righteousness. After discussing love of God and love of humanity, this way focuses on actively loving goodness, justice, moral straightness, and the pleasure of doing what is right.

Rabbi Wolbe explains that the Torah presents a clear binary choice (Deuteronomy 30:15-16): life/good versus death/evil. God urges us to “choose life” by following His commandments, walking in His ways, and finding joy in righteousness. Obligations and mitzvot are not burdens — they are the path to true fulfillment and maximized pleasure. When we commit to goodness, even when it is not our natural inclination, we actualize our potential and experience deeper satisfaction.

He encourages reaffirming moral clarity in a confused world: call evil what it is (theft, murder, etc.), model values for children, and obligate yourself to positive actions. Personal stories illustrate forcing oneself to give first (e.g., snacks in yeshiva) to break selfishness and the importance of celebrating small victories in goodness.

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Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on June 10, 2022, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 24, 2023

The 49 days we count between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot are an exciting time for powerful and impactful change. The Mishna (Avot 6:6) teaches us 48 masterful tools and ways to maximize life and get the most out of each day.
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Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

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Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Omer, #Count, #48Ways, #SpiritualGrowth, #TorahWisdom, #PirkeiAvot, #WisdomDaily

In episode thirty-two of the 48 Ways series during the Omer, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe teaches Ahavat HaBriyot — “love of humanity” or loving all creations. This way builds directly on the previous teachings about being loved by others and loving God, showing that love must expand outward to every person.

Rabbi Wolbe explains that the Torah command “Love your fellow as yourself” requires us first to love and truly know ourselves, then to extend that love generously to others. Love is fundamentally giving — the more selflessly we invest in relationships, the deeper and more fulfilling they become. See the unique virtue and potential in every human being (even if you have to dig for it), compliment sincerely, prioritize family, and actively pursue peace like Aaron HaKohen.

Key teachings include: love moves us from the narrow “me” to the expansive “we”; disagreements are normal but should never cancel love — use them to strengthen bonds; every person is a unique world created by God; and loving humanity opens opportunities, brings joy, and helps us realize our own potential. When we focus on giving rather than receiving, love naturally reflects back.

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Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on June 7, 2022, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on August 14, 2022

The 49 days we count between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot are an exciting time for powerful and impactful change. The Mishna (Avot 6:6) teaches us 48 masterful tools and ways to maximize life and get the most out of each day.
_____________
Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

_____________

Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
_____________

Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Omer, #Count, #48Ways, #SpiritualGrowth, #TorahWisdom, #PirkeiAvot, #WisdomDaily

In this special Lag B'Omer episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe celebrates the 33rd day of the Omer (18 Iyar) as the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi), one of the greatest Tanaim and author of the Zohar. The Talmud hints to him via “Hamin ha’etz” (same letters as Haman) from the Tree of Knowledge—both represent focusing on what we lack instead of appreciating what we have.

Rashbi’s life story includes:

• Student of Rabbi Akiva; one of five who re-established Torah after the plague that killed 24,000 students.
• Hid in a cave for 12 years (with his son Elazar) surviving on carobs and water, studying Torah with Eliyahu HaNavi—emerging with unparalleled mystical wisdom.
• His teachings emphasize loving fellow Jews, the power of a good name, and the three crowns (Torah, priesthood, royalty), with the crown of a good name excelling above all.

Customs for the day include bonfires (commemorating his fiery spirit and the heavenly fire at his funeral), bows and arrows (no rainbow appeared in his lifetime, symbolizing high spirituality), music, outings, haircuts for three-year-olds, and charity at his gravesite in Meron. The rabbi highlights Rashbi’s power to free the world from judgment and the immense merit of praying at his tomb.
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Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on May 9, 2023, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on May 9, 2023
_____________
Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

_____________

Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Omer, #LagBOmer, #RabbiShimonBarYochai, #Rashbi, #Zohar, #Meron, #Bonfires, #OmerCustoms, #JewishMysticism, #TorahLegacy, #KiddushHashem