Practical Spiritual Tidbits

In this episode, we discuss the topic of Divine timing. Is it really true that there's a preordained time for when things will happen? And, is there anything we can do to speed up that timeline?

In this episode we look at the power of music to foster unity. We quote Kabbalistic, Talmudic, and psychological sources.

In this episode, we explore the phenomenon that humans always seem to want more/growth/expansion. We go through some stories and sources on the topic, and offer a Kabbalistic explanation for it.

In this episode we discuss the prophecies about the war of Gog and Magog from Ezekiel 38-39 and Zechariah 14, and how later Sages understood them. What is it? Who is Gog? Who is involved? Is it metaphorical? What is its purpose? And more...

In this episode we discuss the concept of an aura. Starting with Nicola Tesla and other scientists, and then getting into multiple spiritual/Kabbalistic sources.

In this episode, we suggest 3 different sources for the concept of the 'third eye.' We get into a discussion about where desires originate.

In this episode we discuss the energy of "appreciation." We discuss the spiritual impact of appreciation, including a few stories, as it relates to different types of relationships in our lives: person to person, person to self, and person to Creator.

The fact that gemstones have healing properties is rooted in the Bible. In Exodus 39:10-14 it lists 12 gemstones that were to be placed in the breastplate the high priest in the Temple, each stone corresponding to a son of Jacob. The Kabbalists (e.g. Rabbeinu Bachya (1255-1340), on Exodus 28:15) teach that based on what we know about the life of each of those sons, we can derive what the healing p...

In this short episode, we discuss whether G-d is more of a being or a principle.

In this episode, I sit down with Rabbi Josh Zebberman, who is a rabbi and couples counselor. He shares his unique approach to counseling, which involves focusing more on & highlighting what's working well, and less on what's not working as well. He shares many stories of different clients and how this approach has helped. We get into Hasidic and Kabbalistic discussions related to this...

Katia Bolotin, a Torah educator and speaker, writer, pianist and composer, is the author of the recently published book "Making it Relevant," which is about finding practical meaning and application from the weekly Torah portion. In this conversation we talk about King David's life, various lessons from Psalms, resilience, optimism, setbacks, a perspective on sadness, and more! You c...

In this episode I sit down with Noa Amalia Arazi, the founder of "Destined to be a Jew," an organization that supports thousands of people converting - and considering converting - to Judaism. We discuss her personal story converting to Judaism, the top reasons why people decide to convert, where across the globe most conversions take place, how long conversion takes, common challenges, how it fee...

It was enlightening to speak with Rav Yehuda HaKohen, the co-founder of the Vision Movement, about a vision for Israel's future. We discuss the biblical concept of a society based on tribal identity, the concept of a "Kohen/Priest," what a government looks like from a biblical perspective, the spiritual paths of Abraham versus Nahor (Abraham's brother), the soul of the Land of Israel, a vision for...

In this conversation, Rav Joey Rosenfeld shares profounds insights about Kabbalah, the past, free will versus divine orchestration, a perspective for singles, effort versus faith, where does HaShem "end" and a human "begin," self-love and giving to oneself, how to be less judgemental, and more! Rav Joey is a prominent teacher of Kabbalah, and a therapist. You can find him on Yo...

Dr. Aziz Gazipura is a world renowned expert in self-confidence, the famed bestselling author of "Not Nice," host of "Shrink for the Shy Guy" Podcast and the "Get More Confidence" YouTube channel, and the recently published book "Doubtless." In this conversation, we go deep into how one's relationship with a higher power impacts one's self-confidence...

Dr. Jessica Newman, who practices Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Pilates in Jerusalem, is a master expert in all of the above, and the founder of Jerusalem Acupuncture & Pilates. In this conversation, we discuss her experience working with thousands of patients, the differences between Western and Eastern medicine, the different experiences treating patients in Los Angeles and Israel, the r...

In this conversation with Jordana Greenfield, aka @drinkitin_jordana, we discuss finding your authentic voice--what can prevent it and tools for reclaiming it, what it means to "be yourself," the experience of teaching elementary school students versus adults, different stages of life, having vs. implementing ideas, her experience hosting different podcast guests, dating advice, and more...

In this episode, we address the question of the path of self-development. Does most growth happen through exposure, or through getting more in touch with one's inner guidance. We discuss 4 sources that point to the latter. Note: the point of this episode is not to give a conclusion, but to provide food for thought.

In this enlightening conversation with Rav Daniel Kohn, we discuss how to think about "God," a spiritual perspective on healing, what freedom really means, worrying about other people's opinions, alignment with one's true essence, Tefillin, and more! Rav Daniel Kohn is a world-renowned rabbi, the leader of the Bat Ayin village in Israel, a musician, spiritual guide, and the autho...

Rav Yakov Danishefsky works as a rabbi, therapist, educator and speaker. He is the author of three books, including the newly released "The Attached Haggadah." In this conversation, we talk about how the Torah speaks to this generation, attachment styles in relationships (human to human and human to G-d), the idea of being angry at G-d, self-esteem and self-love, the inner child, and mor...

In this raw and reflective conversation with Menachem Forma, we go deep on the topics of ego, masculine & feminine energies (their definitions, the existence of both within every individual and how to balance the two, how balancing the two leads to a more aligned life, its relevance to one's relationship with Source and in human relationships), and the journey from depression to expression...

In this profound and exciting conversation with Rav Benji Elson, we discuss his experiences with Buddhism and Judaism, what it actually means to be a on a "spiritual journey," as well as specific Kabbalistic and Hassidic teachings and how they provide a map for personal-development and well-being. Rav Benji is a clinical psychotherapist, teacher of Torah, Jewish environmental-educator, t...

In this episode I sit down with Reb Adam Yitzchak Polinovskiy, who is a Kabbalah-based teacher, mentor and coach. We discuss his spiritual journey, "healthy before holy," tips for how to develop one's desire to give, tips for how to identify as a soul, the spiritual value of creativity and artistry, a powerful technique to discover one's purpose in life, the tree of life as a map...

In this conversation, I sit down with Ahuva Birnbaum, aka "Holy Shid," who performs energetic healing. After serving as a psychotherapist for 18 years, she witnessed the power of energetic healing, and since then has trained in energy healing herself and is now a practitioner. In this conversation, Ahuva shares stories of the impact of energy work, the differences between psychotherapy a...

Yedidah Cohen is one of the world's foremost teachers of the Kabbalistic teachings of Rav Yehuda Leib Ashlag. She has written multiple books on his teachings, including the famed "A Tapestry for the Soul". In this conversation, we discuss the purpose of life, a deeper perspective on biblical stories, what spiritual growth really means, what is God, why did God create the world, how t...