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Nobody in the entire Torah was as arrogant as Pharaoh. He actually believed he was the Creator! But his delusion, though in an extreme form, is common in human beings. Weve seen it in dictators like Hitler and Napoleon. We see it in larger-than-life tycoons like Donald Trump. And sometimes, we see it in ourselves.With a breakdown of why this middah rears its ugly head so often, this Shmuz motivates us to work on its antidote: humility. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. T...
HASHEM gave everyone a unique set of talents. Some people are strong, others smart, and others musical. But no matter which talents you have, HASHEM gave them to you to help you accomplish a specific mission in this world.The trouble is, people often lose sight of this. They credit themselves for their talents and even expect praise and honor because of them. Not only does this make them seem obnoxious, it guarantees that they will fail to use their talents as HASHEM intended.This Shmuz teaches ...
Middas Ha Din and Middas Ha Rachamim may seem like esoteric Kabbalistic concepts beyond our understanding, but a look at history will give us a clear demonstration of how they operate. Weve seen people die by the millions, not just in wars, but in famines, tidal waves, and other natural disasters. Even the media calls them acts of G-d. The question is: why does G-d make them happen?This Shmuz wakes us up to the awesome power of HASHEM and stirs our hearts toward teshuva. See acast.com/privacy fo...
People have accomplished some extraordinary things. Muhammad Ali fought his way to becoming heavyweight champion of the world. Roger Bannister ran the first four-minute mile. And lehavdil, gedolim like Rav Shimon Shkop, Reb Chaim Brisker, and Rav Gifter became champions in Torah.What is the difference between them and us? Surprisingly, nothing at all. HASHEM gave every human the ability to soar to great heights if only wed believe in ourselves. So dust off those dreams youve put on the shelf. Th...
Plan your life; live your plan. Set goals for yourself; follow through with them.It sounds like plain common sense, but somehow, most people dont bother. They get sidetracked by the rat race and the pursuit of pleasure. Winging their way through life, they never reach their full potential.The trick to planning your life effectively is in when you plan it. First and foremost, you have to understand yourself.The simple yet powerful teachings in this Shmuz contain everything you need to live the li...
Plan your life; live your plan. Set goals for yourself; follow through with them.Davening by rote is nothing less than selling yourself short. HASHEM and only HASHEM has the power to provide you with whatever you want or need. So why rush through davening in one big mumble? The trick to planning your life effectively is in when you plan it. First and foremost, you have to understand yourself.With humor and apt mashalim, this first of a three-part Shmuz is just the thing to put life back into you...
Davening is an amazingly powerful tool, and any of us can use it. Hashem loves us so much, its as though He cant resist our prayers. Yet somehow, most of us dont believe it. We think were too small to be noticed or that if we ask for too much, its kvetching. Nothing could be further from the truth.This Shmuz gives us a taste of just how much HASHEM loves us. With that clear in your mind, youll be more enthused about davening than ever before. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informa...
A close look at tefilla defies human logic. Simply by saying particular words with kavannah, we can reverse judgments in Heaven. How is it possible? It doesnt make sense!The answer is that it doesnt have to make sense. On one level, davening is a chok. But more than that, davening is a gift. Its an escape hatch we can use to get out of trouble any time.This Shmuz will teach you to treasure the mitzvah of tefilla and help you to tap into its life-changing power. See acast.com/privacy for privacy ...
A popular notion in the secular world is that people are just like animals. Animals live and breathe; we live and breathe. Animals walk on four legs; we walk on two. Whats the big difference?The Torah tells us that the difference is staggering. Its true that humans have an animalistic side, but we also have nishomas. By nurturing the nishoma, we can reach limitless spiritual heights. Thats something no animal can do.The nishoma requires specific nourishment for its growth: Torah. Learning Torah ...
If theres one thing that makes smart people act dumb, its jealousy. When people are caught in its clutches, they forget every other bracha in their lives. Nothing is as important as what the other guy has, whether it be money, happiness, or kavod.The good news is that jealousy is surprisingly easy to work on. Because its so irrational and illogical, clear thinking is all it takes to neutralize it.This Shmuz will give you the hashkafos you need to quell that green-eyed monster once and for all, p...
Getting along with people is the single most important of all life skills. Good human relations are the key to running a successful business, having a loving marriage, and above all, to raising happy kids. Because people skills are so essential, this Shmuz offers something unique: a mini-course in social relations. With these basics under your belt, youll become more than just well-liked; youll be more effective in achieving your goals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. ...
When we look at Pharaoh and his pagan beliefs, we usually write him off as primitive. The same goes for all idol worshippers. But surprisingly, they were tuned into spiritual secrets we modern folks tend to ignore. They just made one fatal error.Modern science isnt all that different. Scientists have uncovered some astounding facts of nature. But for all their sophistication, some of their beliefs are downright silly.For Pesach or for all year round, this Shmuz brings home the war of ideas betwe...
Often we think of onaas devorim of not saying cruel things to people as referring to big things, like tearing someone down in public. In reality, its much more subtle. People hurt each other with callous remarks all the time. And usually, they didnt even mean to.Those callous remarks cost. Even when we forget what weve said, our victims dont, and neither does HASHEM. He makes sure well feel the after-effect one way or other.This Shmuz will heighten your sensitivity to your fellow human beings an...
One of the most detailed sections in Torah is the description of Avraham Avinus chesed to the three angels. Posuk after posuk tells us the minutiae of how Avraham served his guests. But of all his spiritual accomplishments, what is so great about this one? Why does the Torah give it so much attention? The answer is that chesed is the closest means we have of emulating HASHEM. HASHEM is the ultimate Giver. He gave us life and all the brachos that come with it. Avraham knew this, so he cherished e...
Respect is the basis of all good human relations, but do we really give others their due? We know that every human is a tzelem Elokim, but how often do we think about that when were talking to our friends? Do we even remember it with our spouses?With stories of the gedolim, including some to make you laugh, this Shmuz shows how respect can work magic in your relationships. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. ...
Too many of us are familiar with inner chatter, the little voice that constantly says, Youre no good. Youre a failure. Everything you touch turns to mud.If only we could learn to shut that inner chatter off! Its blocking us from reaching our full potential!Shutting it off may not be easy, but its definitely possible. The first success will boost you forward with the speed and strength of a runaway train.No quick fix for self esteem, this Shmuz goes to the core, highlighting the tzelem Elokim in ...
We live in times of unmatched wealth and comfort. People now live in more ease and luxury than at any other time in history. So why is there so much unhappiness? Why do the rich and famous seem to be the least happy of all? The trouble is that we take all this good for granted. And worse, we forget that HASHEM granted it. This Shmuz trains us in the fine art of appreciation. Just by thinking about any single benefit of this world, youll find plenty of reasons to be happy with life. See acast.com...
Falling in love is the most pleasurable and powerful experience most of us will have in our lifetimes. And it comes so naturally, too. Just look at any chosson and kallah.Loving Hashem takes more effort, but the reward can be even greater. After all, His love is all-powerful.Lofty as it sounds, we can all achieve dvaykus with HASHEM. This Shmuz shows us how to turn that spiritual goal into practical reality. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciou...
Making decisions is a challenge for many of us. Some people stall themselves into inaction. But more often, people just jump into things without thinking them through. The younger you are, the more likely you are to do this. But rushing into things is no way to live your life. Chances are, all youll end up with is regrets. And thats why each of us needs the advice of someone older and wiser a rabbi or mentor. This Shmuz, with its amazing and even eerie stories, proves that seeking daas Torah is ...
Whenever we follow our own desires, we mess up. Even when we act with the best of intentions, we mess up. High-minded ideologies have failed time and time again. History is chock-full of examples. Theres a very good reason why man-based morality consistently fails. We humans are imperfect. We cant possibly see all the consequences to our actions. This Shmuz reminds us of the one and only way to make sure that your good intentions bring good results: by sticking with the tried and true morality o...
Making a kiddush Hashem isnt just about the big things like sacrificing ones life for the sake of a mitzvah its something we can do every day. Ultimately, every Jew is a billboard for Torah. When we behave properly, we have a ripple effect on the people around us. Our simple mitzvos make the world a better place. Its a heavy responsibility, but also a rewarding challenge. This Shmuz shows how your honesty and courtesy have the power to transform you, your family and friends, and even total stran...
Reward and punishment is not a matter of HASHEM giving a potch to a rasha and making nice to a tzaddik. Each persons cheshbon is meted out with fine precision, sometimes over generations. Its so complex we cannot begin to fathom it. But theres one thing we can understand: our actions, whether for the good or the bad, have a forceful impact. By giving us a glimpse into the vast orchestrations of reward and punishment, this Shmuz will leave you awed not only by HASHEMs power, but by the power He g...
We put up many resistances to teshuva. The simplest one is denial. Ive never done anything wrong. But deep down, we know its a lie, so guilt festers, perking up at odd moments to tell us, Who do you think you are doing mitzvos? Youre a slime and a faker. Stop pretending to be holy. With all these obstacles, it could almost seem that teshuva is impossible. But it isnt. You just have to take it in small, steady steps. With inspiring mussar for Elul, the Yomim Noraim, or even an ordinary day, this ...
Loving our fellow Jews is a beautiful concept, but really feeling one with them often seems far-removed from real life. Its fine in theory, but in practice? Its hard to do in the cold and indifferent 21st century. The story of Yonah is the prime example of ahavas Yisrael. He risked his life and his Olam Habo, all for the love of the Jewish people. And while we cant be on that level, this Shmuz will give us practical applications for that all-important mitzvah, the klal gadol of the Torah. See ac...
Nobody gets through this life without some suffering. Some people suffer tragedies, others just stress and discomfort, but no matter the nature of the pain, it comes with a Divine purpose. Suffering, when viewed correctly, deepens you and makes you a better, more sensitive person. Unfortunately, its possible to completely miss HASHEMs message. A person can suffer pain and not even grow from it. That is the worst kind of suffering - pain without meaning. Its only natural to want to minimize pain,...
The Midrash that tells us that the moon was jealous of the sun is much more than a mashal for kids. It contains deep and spiritual messages about how HASHEM runs the world, but it takes a mature mind to grasp them. The world is far more complex than meets the eye. To really understand it, you need a spiritual microscope. This Shmuz, drawing on the teachings of the Rishonim as well as modern science, provides that spiritual microscope. The stories of your childhood wont seem so childish anymore. ...
Why me? Why now? Its too much. I cant take it anymore! Weve all said it when the going gets rough. The trials of life really can seem unbearable at times. But the moment you think youre down for the count is the moment to turn to HASHEM even if youre angry at Him. This Shmuz gives you the chizuk you need to get through all the rough spots on the roller coaster of life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. Ther...
Success may be sweet, but to get there, you need motivation. When things are going swimmingly, motivation comes naturally. But when you hit those inevitable rough spots, you need an extra boost. Where do you get it, especially when youre in a rut? How can you get motivated when you just arent? Motivation works on the positive side and the negative. You can motivate yourself by visualizing your dreams or you can give yourself a little kick by imagining your worst fears. Both ways work; you just n...
Were surrounded by falsehood. We dont believe our leaders, and we know that all the ads bombarding us are lies. Were so used to it, we accept as normal. Tzaddikim dont do that. Lies are anathema to them. They live by their word. Once upon a time, everyone lived that way. Truth and honor meant something, not just to tzaddikim, but to ordinary people. This Shmuz shows how you, an ordinary person in a world full of lies, can rise above it all and live a life of truth. See acast.com/privacy for priv...
