A while back, Izzo Zwiren had me on his podcast (link to listen here) to discuss “Using Pop Culture to Teach Torah” (which was based on my Lehrhaus article). After listening to my thoughts, Rabbi Johnny Solomon, The Virtual Rabbi, graciously invited me to shmooze with him, and what you have below is the result (the video recording of our Zoom).
In this shmooze, we discussed:
What do parents expect of Modern Orthodox Jewish education/ educators?
What are some high points and where are some areas for improvement when it comes to Modern Orthodox Jewish education?
Connecting to God (in general, and out of love vs fear)
Are young American Jews weakening in their connection to Israel?
How can parents help their children connect to Judaism?
On a personal note, I appreciate Rabbi Johnny Solomon. Prior to this I had read his writing and spoken with him over chat, where he constantly provided me with texts and resources on Jewish topics. Today, he was kind enough to help me on a personal level.
I always feel like everything I have to say is obvious. And that’s part of why I don’t say it- or don’t write it. Why should I share what everyone already knows? But my husband has urged me to write anyway. And Rabbi Johnny Solomon pointed out that the hakdama (introduction) to Mesilas Yesharim (The Path of the Just) begins as follows:
The writer says: I have written this work not to teach men what they do not know, but to remind them of what they already know and is very evident to them, for you will find in most of my words only things which most people know, and concerning which they entertain no doubts. But to the extent that they are well known and their truths revealed to all, so is forgetfulness in relation to them extremely prevalent. It follows, then, that the benefit to be obtained from this work is not derived from a single reading; for it is possible that the reader will find that he has learned little after having read it that he did not know before. Its benefit is to be derived, rather, through review and persistent study, by which one is reminded of those things which, by nature, he is prone to forget and through which he is caused to take to heart the duty that he tends to overlook.
I am obviously not the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzzato, author of Mesilas Yesharim). But there is something comforting in knowing that sometimes, even if what you have to say seems obvious, it bears repeating. So thank you Rabbi Solomon for that encouraging thought.
Rabbi Johnny Solomon is a warm, knowledgeable, learned and humble individual. He offers one-on-one consultations and coaching sessions, and he may be someone with whom you connect! If you are interested in booking him for a session or finding out more, please click here. And if you do not yet have a rabbi and are looking for one, Rabbi Solomon is likely to be of help.