Rabbi Dr. Jacob Immanuel Schochet, of blessed memory, was a rabbi, academic, author and renowned authority on Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism.
Born in Switzerland, he received his early education there and in the Netherlands. After moving to North America, he attended the Chabad Central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in New York from which he graduated in 1958. He developed a relationship with the Lubavitcher Rebbe even as a young student in the yeshiva, and thereafter the Rebbe urged and encouraged his academic pursuits and literary efforts.
He received his academic education in Canada, attending the University of Toronto, University of Windsor, McMaster University, and University of Waterloo, he holds degrees of BA (Phil), MA (Religious Studies), MPhil (Phil) and PhD (Phil). His specialties in philosophy were Logic, Epistemology, Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion. His Master's thesis at McMaster University was titled: The Treatment of Anthropomorphism in Targum Onkelos (1966). His PhD thesis at the University of Waterloo was titled: The Psychological System of Maimonides (1974).
He was the Rabbi of the Kielcer Congregation in Toronto for 36 years before becoming the Rabbi at Beth Joseph Lubavitch in 1996. He also served as Professor of Philosophy at Humber College in Toronto, Canada for 25 years, and simultaneously taught Medical Ethics at the School of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
With the onslaught of cults in the 70's and 80's, especially Christian missionary organizations, Rabbi Schochet pioneered a successful network of anti-missionary campaigns which succeeded in reconnecting numerous Jews to their religious roots, literally saving their souls.
Rabbi Schochet wrote and lectured extensively on the history and philosophy of Chassidism and topical themes of Jewish thought and ethics and was a world-renown authority on Jewish philosophy and mysticism. He authored 35 books and numerous articles, opinions and treatises concerning all Jewish subject matter. As an extraordinary dynamic speaker, he has inspired thousands worldwide and traveled to countless Chabad Houses and Lubavitch institutions offering communities the privilege to experience his abundant insights.
Rabbi Schochet was an instructor of the Ivy League Program in the Catskills each summer, he embraced the opportunity to influence and challenge our finest, brightest Jewish minds.
What is the Jewish perspective of the "Healthy Mind, Healthy Body" connection? Are they at odds with each other, or are they interconnrected? This presentation took place in 1988 at the International Conference on Judaism and Contemporary Medicine. The video recording is courtesy of Dr. Michael-Moshe Akerman M.D. who is the director of the conference.
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Is euthinasia permitted in any circumstances? This is a vintage video and is being shared here for its historical value and its content, not for the quality of its video. This presentation took place in 1992 at the International Conference on Judaism and Contemporary Medicine. The video recording is courtesy of Dr. Michael-Moshe Akerman M.D
Rabbi Dr. Abraham S. Abraham (1)
Is human genome editing ethical? How do we deal with the ubiquities paradoxes in life and religion? And, can we effect celestial events that determine our fate? This is a vintage video and is being shared here for its historical value and its content, not for the quality of its video
Professor Robert Pollack (1)
Can someone who is suffering be taken off life support under any circumstances? This is a vintage video and is being shared here for its historical value and its content, not for the quality of its video. This presentation took place at the International Conference on Judaism and Contemporary Medicine on May 15th 2005, at the Hilton Hotel in New York City
Dr. Kathleen E. Powderly (3)
Does a crisis destroy one’s life, or can it ultimately prove to have been a blessing in disguise and reveal things about a person that would have otherwise never been discovered? What are our religious obligations in trying to help ourselves medically; must it be within the natural order of the world or can we rely strictly on divine intervention? And is prayer about changing G-d's mind, or about changing ourselves and our perspective? This is a vintage video and is being shared here for its historical value and content, not for the quality of its video
Dr. Bernie S. Siegel (1)
Rabbi Dr. Schochet addresses questions from the audience with his usual candor and wit.
Series: Can a Jew be for Jesus?
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
In part 2 of Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet’s lecture, he dissects passages from the Bible often quoted by Christian missionaries and exposes the fallacy of their interpretations. He tells the story of the Jewish victims of missionary groups and sharply condemns the immorality of missionaries preying on ignorant Jews
Series: Can a Jew be for Jesus?
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
In part 1 of this brilliant lecture, Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet challenges the misleading techniques of recent Christian missionary movements. He defines the difference between religious faith and credulity, and describes the history of the Christian agenda to convert Jews. With his sharp logic and frank approach, he exposes the fundamental fallacy of their arguments. .
Series: Can a Jew be for Jesus?
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Does the coming of Moshiach depend on what we do, or is he just going to show up whenever he wants? Listen in on a fascinating conversation between Rabbi Immanuel Shochet and Dr. Michael Kigel, and gain a new perspective on your personal role in the cosmic scheme of things. This video has been produced by Kosher Tube.
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
That's my money; I worked hard for it; why should I have to give some to charity? Rabbi Dr J Immanuel Schochet, with Dr. Michael Kigel, discusses the mitzvah of charity. Giving tzedakah acknowledges that nothing is truly yours; everything is from G-d. The difference between a man and an animal is that the animal is preprogrammed, but man has freedom of choice
Series: Messages - Season 5
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
Watch this brilliant clip to learn what real faith is all about. It's not blind belief and acceptance of information or values. Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet illuminates the fundamental connection between faith and knowledge
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
How do we determine what we believe? How do we judge the information that we receive? Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet discusses the necessity of consistency for acceptance and doubt when processing information. Under what conditions are we skeptical of information that is given to us, and in which circumstances do we accept information as fact? Rabbi Dr
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
With his cutting logic, Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet addresses the question of the authenticity of Divine revelation at Sinai. For more "Crossfire" questions, go to: torahcafe.com/crossfire.
Series: Individual Crossfire questions
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
What is the difference between your conscience and the Jewish concept of a soul? Based on his knowledge of philosophy and mysticism, Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet addresses the pros and cons of the human conscience and the role that the G-dly soul plays in our human experience. For more "Crossfire" questions, go to: torahcafe.com/crossfire.
Series: Individual Crossfire questions
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Note: Rabbi Schochet’s remarks are brief address a particular question by a member of the audience. For a more detailed explanation of this topic, please watch Rabbi Schochet's full class on this topic: The Dynamics of Prayer. The words "yehi ratson", "May it be Your will", clearly assume that we are able to evoke a new Divine will through our prayers
Series: Individual Crossfire questions
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
For more "Crossfire" questions, go to: torahcafe.com/crossfire.
Series: Individual Crossfire questions
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Did G-d communicate to human beings all that He would like us to be doing down here? How do we know we heard G-d at Sinai? Who wrote the Torah? G-d? Moses? A committee of authors? How do we deal with apparent contradictions and inconsistencies which “academia” claims to “discover” in the Torah? Can a modern, reasonable, educated person still believe that the Torah is literally the word of G-d? If any of these questions have ever bothered you, or if you would like to better prepared to answer others when they ask, this seminar is for you
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
How much can we know about the future Messianic era? Is there any purpose in investigating its details? In this casual discussion, Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet explores some basic Jewish texts about Moshiach and the dangers of making speculations about his arrival.
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
This video is part of a series that has been produced by Kosher Tube.
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
Is it realistic for us to expect a society that equally upholds the values of unity and pluralism, or do these values conflict? Is there room for compromise or tolerance in Orthodox Judaism? This session explores possible methods that can be used to create one community from so many different factions. This lecture was delivered at the 4th annual National Jewish Retreat
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Rabbi Immanuel Schochet has written and lectured extensively on the history and philosophy of Chassidism and topical themes of Jewish thought and ethics. He is a renowned authority on Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism. He is rabbi of Cong. Beth Joseph, and professor-emeritus of Philosophy at Humber College, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
What Kabbalah is: That which is received; that which cannot be known through science or intellectual pursuit alone; an inner knowledge that has been passed down from sage to student from the earliest times; a discipline that awakens awareness of the essence of things. This lecture was delivered at the 4th annual National Jewish Retreat
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Watch Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet’s clever response to a paper delivered at the Sinai Scholars Symposium. He exposes the fundamental flaw in biblical criticism and the meaninglessness of religion without acceptance of Divine revelation.
Series: Judaism Decoded Lesson 6
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Why is charity such a central commandment in Judaism? Is it not possible just to affirm my faith in G-d? Why do I have to give money in order to demonstrate my faith? Rabbi Immanuel Schochet explains the reasons behind the centrality of tzedaka (charity) in Judaism. .
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
Once upon a busy life — maybe even two or three times, or more — we are struck with a sense of being so small within something much larger. Wouldn’t it be good for the two of us to have a chat? We would like to speak with G-d
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
In his characteristic tongue-in-cheek style, Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet discusses the Ten Commandments and the epistemological validity of the revelation at Sinai. .
Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet (34)
“Messages” is a weekly TV show featuring ideas & ideals of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This episode includes a short segment of the Rebbe speaking, followed by a discussion and commentary by Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet. This episode concludes with a five-minute segment of “The Deed” entitled Steppin' Out.
Series: Messages - Season 4
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
“Messages” is a weekly TV show featuring ideas & ideals of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This episode includes a short segment of the Rebbe speaking, followed by a discussion and commentary by Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet. This episode concludes with a five-minute segment of “The Deed” entitled Moms and Kids.
Series: Messages - Season 4
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
“Messages” is a weekly TV show featuring ideas & ideals of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This episode includes a short segment of the Rebbe speaking, followed by a discussion and commentary by Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet. This episode concludes with a five-minute segment of “The Deed” entitled Life With Tut.
Series: Messages - Season 4
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
“Messages” is a weekly TV show featuring ideas & ideals of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This episode includes a short segment of the Rebbe speaking, followed by a discussion and commentary by Rabbi Manis Friedman. This episode concludes with a five-minute segment of “The Deed” entitled Repent, Rejoice.
Series: Messages - Season 4
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
“Messages” is a weekly TV show featuring ideas & ideals of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This episode includes a short segment of the Rebbe speaking, followed by a discussion and commentary by Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet. This episode concludes with a five-minute segment of “The Deed” entitled Vive!.
Series: Messages - Season 4
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
Series: Messages - Season 5
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
“Messages” is a weekly TV show featuring ideas & ideals of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This episode includes a conversation with Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet. .
Series: Messages - Season 5
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)
This conversation with Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet presents Torah as the exclusive connector between finite man with an infinite G-d. It describes Torah as a hands-on experience of G-d as opposed to an academic study and explores the concept of G-d’s absolute unity with His knowledge and Will.
Series: Messages - Season 5
Dr. Michael Chighel (59)