Human & Holy

Does the Torah value physical beauty, or not? How should we define our own beauty? When does our desire to feel beautiful come as a true expression of ourselves, and when does it come from a place of judgment or lack? In today's episode, we explore the Torah's unique perspective on physical beauty to better understand how we can fully embody our G-d given beauty, without making it about looking a...

In today's episode, Freidy Yanover speaks about our challenges being signs that can direct us towards the next step of our journey. If we are open, we can allow them to nudge us more deeply into our lives and relationships with G-d. || To become a paying subscriber of the podcast, please visit patreon.com/humanandholy. To sponsor an episode, please email us at humanandholy@gmail.com

What is Jewish femininity? What does it mean to be leaders of our homes, and of the world? This episode explores these questions in a live panel hosted for the Young Women's Kinus. Rochel Flikshtein, Chayale Tzukernik, Rochel Deitsch, and Elana Kornfeld share how they each experience their Jewish femininity and power. || To become a paying subscriber of the podcast, please visit patreon.com/humana...

In today's episode, Miriam Lipskier speaks about seeing another person's soul before we judge them for their actions. Based on chapter 32 of Tanya, and Miriam's own experience, we discuss what it actually means to see others as souls first. And what it means to see ourselves that way, too. || To become a paying subscriber of the podcast, please visit patreon.com/humanandholy. To sponsor an episode...

In this episode, I speak with Alisa Fellig about the muscles we build, over time, that help us stay present with G-d in our more challenging moments. Through a miraculous outcome of her baby's birth, Alisa speaks about surrendering the future to G-d and fully owning our headspace in each moment. || TW: Alisa speaks about complications during birth. If you are pregnant or sensitive to complicated b...

In today’s episode, I speak to Shterny Tubul about the lifelong process of Ratzui V’shuv, pining for spirituality, but always returning to the real work in this physical world. Shterny speaks about wrestling with a woman’s profoundly physical role in Judaism and how she had to redefine her understanding of spirituality. Through parenting her child, she began to sense what it meant to connect to G-...

In today’s episode, I speak to Kayla Goldstein about her journey with her Judaism throughout the years. For many years, she went through the motions of the religious lifestyle that she was brought up with. When life got rough, habit was not enough. Kayla speaks about being encouraged, for the first time, to truly ask questions -- and what happened to her relationship with G-d when she did. || TW:...

In honor of Yud Shvat, I interview Dini Hecht and Inbal Levin about the way the Rebbe's vision for the world pushes them, each in their own way, to take responsibility for the state of the world and prioritize their fellow Jew's spirituality, just as much as their own. The world is already a garden. Through our tending, we reveal its inherent beauty. || To become a paying subscriber of the podcast...

In today's episode, Chana Kalmenson speaks about using our understanding of attachment theory to better understand our relationships with G-d. What does it look like for us to be securely attached to G-d, as a parent to a child? What does it look like for us to choose Him as adults, and form a committed, loving relationship? - To sponsor an episode, or to reach out about the podcast, please get in...

In today's episode, I interview Shternie Bell about finding the unity in seemingly opposing areas of our lives. Shternie shares her quest to bridge the divide between her personal identity and her life as a community leader, and in doing so, encourages us to look for the unifying thread that runs through our lives.

In today's episode, Vivi Deren speaks about utilizing the idea of L'chatchila Ariber to help us focus less on our obstacles, and more on our goals. Instead of becoming consumed with the challenges in her life, Vivi tries to focus her energy on her unique mission in bringing the world to its ultimate goal. ---- To become a paying subscriber of the podcast, please visit patreon.com/humanandholy. To...

In today's episode, Devori Nussbaum describes Daas as a felt sense in the body, as a true integration of G-dly awareness into our emotional and internal headspace. Devori outlines how to deepen our body's awareness of G-d, with compassion, curiosity, and openness.

In today's episode, I interview Rivky Kaplan about moving away from our obsession with productivity to embrace the value of simply being. Many of us measure our worth by the light we are emitting. Through a talk given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe about the diminishment of the moon, Rivky challenges us to consider that sometimes, our mere presence is enough. We are human beings, not doings. Some days,...

In today's episode, I interview Chana Margulies about embracing the continuous, inward nature of personal challenges. Through the lens of her personal journey with cancer, infertility, and a family member's depression, Chana discusses the instinct to shame recurring struggles, and how we can learn to celebrate the opportunities for holiness in our continuous battles. Chana can be reached through h...

Join a group of women, as we celebrate the new year of Chabad Chassidus. Play a game with us, laugh with us, look inward. This is the year we discover the holiness in our human experience.

In this episode, I interview Chayale Tzukernik about the role our thoughts play in the way we view the world. Chayale speaks about bridging the gap between her intellectual understanding of an idea and its practical implications in her life. We discuss questioning our natural thought processes in order to guide them towards a more objective truth, and how to practically reframe our experiences in...

Have you ever felt yourself floating above your life? Have you ever connected spiritually to an idea, but still felt detached from it in your day to day life? Today, I explore how Sukkos teaches me the profound importance of physical embodiment as the manifestation of our spiritual experiences.

In today’s episode, I interview Chaviva New about her unique and deeply personal relationship with the mitzvah of tzedakah. She talks about charity as this ongoing conversation she has with G-d: both to give thanks and to ask for things that she needs. In the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Chaviva's words are a powerful reminder that a mitzvah can be a daily opportunity for us to...

What would our life look like if we tapped into the limitlessness of our potential? Do we stunt ourselves when we become too well versed in our limitations? What is the true meaning of Ein Sof, and how can its presence in our world inform the way that we live? In today’s episode, I interviewed Dena Shusterman about the experiences she has had in pushing herself beyond her perceived limitations. De...

In today’s episode, I bring you a beautiful, soulful conversation I had with Menucha Schwartz about a chassidic discourse that makes the case for the importance of a sense of a self in our relationship with G-d. Not as an end unto itself, but as a vehicle that takes us where we need to go. We explore why the word “yeshus” might not actually be the big, bad word in G-dly service, and what it looks...

In today’s episode, I interview Dena Gorkin, principal of Bnos Chomesh Academy and a sought after educator about the topic of Iskafia as a powerful regulation tool to teach to youth, and ourselves. Dena throws a new spin on the topic that I had never considered before: Iskafia is not extended self-control. It is the moment of pause before making a decision where we can regulate ourselves enough to...

In today’s episode, I interview Raizel Deitsch about a verse from Mishlei which encourages us to “find G-d in all your ways”. Raizel speaks about giving herself permission to find G-d in the human corners of her life, which sparked her transition from an abstract relationship with G-d to one that emanated from her authentic, physical experience. Raizel’s words are a powerful reminder that G-d is l...

In today’s episode, I interview Ester Zirkind about the concept of Moach Shalit al Halev, the Chassidic teaching that encourages us to let the mind take the driver seat when we make decisions. In a personal accounting of this idea, Ester speaks about the importance of our emotions in the equation. Using the mind to guide the heart is not an excuse to disregard the heart; it is an invitation to fee...

Today is the 3rd of Tammuz, the anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s passing. In today’s episode, I asked five women, from different ages and backgrounds, five questions about the Rebbe’s influence on their lives. Join us as we celebrate the Rebbe’s ongoing impact on the world.

When the world goes low, we go high. Join me as I explore the storyline of these last few weeks in Israel and the entire world through the lens of Jewish voices worldwide. When the world tries to terrify us into submission, we get louder and prouder. Even a tiny candle can cut through the thickest darkness. Our flame is only getting brighter and brighter.