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Teaching Materials

48 ways to Wisdom

Teaching Materials
A Jewish Path to Fulfillment and Personal Growth. Start here with Way #1: Be Aware of Every Moment.
Rabbi Noach Weinberg

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  • Way #2 Listen Effectively

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg When the media hits you with another message, don't take the idea for granted. Listen for the message behind the message. Analyze and question.

  • Way #3 Say It Out Loud

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Articulate your beliefs out loud. It bridges the gap between lofty notions of the soul and the world of reality. In other words, you'll find out if you really believe what you say.

  • Way #4 Introduce Yourself to Yourself

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Don't go through life making assumptions about who you are. Take the time now to "meet" yourself - before a crisis comes along and forces the issue.

  • Way #5 The Power of Awe

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg In the face of tremendous force like the Grand Canyon or a hurricane, human beings feel small. Do we mind? No! It’s exhilarating. It’s the power of awe.

  • Way #6 Mastering Fear

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Roller coasters and horror movies... we pay good money to be scared out of our wits. Find out how to harness the energy of "fear" for positive purposes.

  • Way #7 The True Charisma

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Humility is not a sloop-shouldered inferiority complex. Rather, humility is "doing the right thing" and not being dependent on the opinion of others. That’s true charisma!

  • Way #8 Constant Joy

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Joy gives you the power, motivation and confidence to achieve things that otherwise seem too difficult to attempt. Better than a granola bar - joy is pure energy.

  • Way #9 Concentration

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg We use just a small fraction of our mental capacity. Learn how to concentrate and avoid distractions. You'll achieve more goals!

  • Way #10 Honor The Wise Person

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg An apprentice gains firsthand knowledge by watching how an expert works. So too with wisdom. Don't read about it in a book; find yourself an expert.

  • Way #11 Work It Through With Friends

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Companies test-market new products. To know the value of your ideas, find friends to give you straight, honest feedback.

  • Way #12 Growth Through Teaching

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Until you share an idea, it remains but a hazy notion in your imagination. Transmitting the idea to others makes it real. You've taken it out of potential and made it a reality.

  • Way #13 Think About It

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg We sometimes make snap decisions. Or we may mull over decisions for too long. Become skilled at the happy medium of good decision-making.

  • Way #14 Written Instructions For Living

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg When we learn Torah, we are not studying an abstract and arcane text of the ancient world. We are engaged in discovering the essence of Judaism, which is the essence of ourselves.

  • Way #15 Oral Instructions For Living

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Judaism is not supposed to be a reference work sitting on the shelf. It's to be lived and internalized. If you gain a piece of wisdom, integrate it into living.

  • Way #16 Apply Business Accumen To Living

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg To compete in the marketplace, a business has to function at maximum efficiency. Apply those same core principles to your pursuit of a great personal and spiritual life.

  • Way #17 - Marriage Power

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Intimacy is a powerful drive, second only to survival itself. Society uses it to sell movies, cigarettes and automobiles.

  • Way #18 The Use of Physical Pleasure

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg The physical world is for our pleasure. Spiritual growth comes through grappling with the mundane world in a way that uplifts and elevates.

  • Way #19 Wake Up and Live

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Sleeping too much is just as harmful as not sleeping enough. Minimize sleep - because on a deeper level, it's about "waking up" to life.

  • Way #20 The Art of Conversation

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg People today are busier than ever - commuting, flying, buying. "Conversation time" is diminishing. Is there no one listening out there?

  • Way #21 Laughter Is Serious Business

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Laughter is a deeply spiritual emotion. Maybe that's why the list of Jewish comedians is so long! Understand the dynamics of laughter and use it wisely.

  • Way #22 Conquer Frustration

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg It's a tough world and we have to be persistent. Quitting is giving into frustration. Don't turn back. Accept the frustration as a challenge - and love it!

  • Way #23 The Good Heart

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Human struggle is two conflicting inclinations - to either do the right thing, or to be selfish. Be aware of the inner struggle and increase your capacity to choose good.

  • Way #24 Search For Wisdom

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Wisdom is what makes the wheels of life spin forward. Don't stagnate. Actively pursue wisdom.

  • Way #25 No Pain No Gain

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Pain is an unavoidable reality of life. Don't run away. The key to success is to learn how to accept the pain and grow from it.

  • Way #26 Know Your Place

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Every person has a unique contribution to make in this world. Figure out who you are, and where you fit into the grand scheme.

  • Way #27 Happiness

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg You can have everything and still be miserable. Or you can have relatively little and feel very rich. Happiness is a state of mind. Develop tools for how to get it.

  • Way #28 Protect What Is Precious

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg A fence keeps a safe distance from danger. Take precautions. If you find a "hole" in your life, build a fence to avoid stumbling into errors.

  • Way #29 Subtle Traps Of Arrogance

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Arrogance stunts spiritual growth. To avoid arrogance, distinguish between pride ("I'm better than the other person") and pleasure ("I'm not better, just fortunate").

  • Way #30 Be Loved By Others

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg The human desire to be loved is deep and natural. The most effective way to be loved.... is to love others. If you give warmth, you'll attract warmth.

  • Way #31 Seek The Ultimate Pleasure

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg We can have lots of money, love and power. But no human being is truly satisfied unless he's in touch with the transcendent dimension.

  • Way #32 Love Humanity

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Imagine having never seen another human being before. Realize the beautiful human ability to communicate, accomplish, and create. What fantastic gadgets!

  • Way #33 Fulfill Your Obligations

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Many people grumble about obligations as unpleasant aggravations. But fulfilling obligations helps actualize your potential and is the basis of self esteem.

  • Way #34 Use Your Inner Guide

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Buried within the subconscious, in the farthest corner of our memory, lies the knowledge of everything we need to know about living. Now bring it to the forefront of your mind.

  • Way #35 Love Criticism

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Criticism is usually seen as a personal attack. But think of what an Olympic athlete willingly endures from coaches! To reach your potential, seek constructive criticism.

  • Way #36 Handling Social Pressure

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Don't spend your life trying to impress others. Because even if you convince others that you're great, have you convinced yourself?

  • Way #37 Never Be Bored

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Don't take life for granted. Don't casually accept the ecosystem, communication, gravity... Look for fresh insights. Reawaken the mystery.

  • Way #38 Responsible Decisions

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Every conscious moment is another decision. The cumulative impact determines the overall quality of life. And the most important decision is "What am I living for?"

  • Way #39 Share The Burden

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg A broken heart is worse than a broken arm. Sensitize yourself to the pain of others. It will give you renewed awareness and energy for living.

  • Way #40 Make Others Meritorious

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg We all live in this world together. It's easy to take responsibility when someone is in physical danger. You're just as obligated when he's in spiritual danger.

  • Way #41 Getting Into Reality

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg There's something really breathtaking about life. Wouldn't you rather experience love than watch it in a movie? Get into reality. It's the real thing.

  • Way #42 Peace of Mind

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg The world can be in turmoil, but a person can be at peace with himself. To attain internal equilibrium, focus on the needs of your soul.

  • Way #43 Fascination With Living

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Children live in a natural state of awe. To reclaim that energy, identify what fascinates you the most about life. Set goals for living and pursue them with relentless fascination.

  • Way #44 Analyze the Issues

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg The best defense against abuse is to question what you see. Use your intellect to uncover inconsistencies, irregularities and rationalizations.

  • Way #45 Expand Your Ideas

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Whenever you learn a piece of wisdom, extract what's relevant to your life. Develop it. Take it to its ultimate conclusions. Live with it.

  • Way #46 Learn In Order To Teach

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Don't grow only for yourself. If you have some worthwhile information, share it. By reaching others, you will reach yourself.

  • Way #47 Learn In Order To Do

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg The whole point of wisdom is to make life better. There is no greater waste than to have a bunch of great ideas, and not to use them.

  • Way #48 Educate the Educators

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Don't swallow wholesale what others say. Check it out. Ask questions. Does it make sense?

  • Way #49 Organize Your Mind

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg The human brain is a sophisticated filing cabinet. How will you access that information? Organize what you know!

  • Way #50 Rewards of Gratitude

    by Rabbi Noach Weinberg Acknowledge your gifts and be grateful to the source. Because if you know from whom you're receiving, you can always go back for more.