Rabbi Moishy's Podcast

Life is a journey, yet sometimes we find ourselves stuck in the status quo. In this episode, we analyze the journey through the desert and discover the life lesson it teaches us all.

Korach's dispute with Moshe teaches us that the path to truth is paved with appreciating that truth is paradoxical, and never one dimensional. This episode will teach you how to argue like a Jew.

To remain in the bubble or to go out into the world, that is the question. What can the saga of the spies teach us about challenges, antisemitism, and the tension of spirit vs. matter? This episode takes a dive into these ideas and more.

The antisemites of the world have a point...what is it? Listen to this lesson on the tension between individualism vs. collectivism and find out.

In honour of Lag BaOmer, this episode delves into a number of reasons for the necessity of studying Chabad teachings, aka Chassidus, the soul of the Torah. Here's a link to an excerpt of the text mentioned in the episode: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2716769/jewish/Chapter-33.htm. Please email info@jewishwaterloo.com for more recommendations of texts and teachers of Chassidus.

Finally back in the saddle with two nuggets to inspire you to a deeper appreciation of the great holiday of Passover. With apologies for the substandard sound quality, we hope you enjoy this episode.

You may feel more spiritual staying internal - studying, praying and meditating, but is that where you're needed? Discover the ultimate spirituality that is found in the outside.

Wholeness is hot; but should it be? Is there a path that avoids mediocrity but isn't overwhelming? In this episode, we explore the eternal message of the half shekel as a paradigm for humble ambition. In the new Ask the Rabbi segment, I address the ideal method of sharing constructive criticism.

Dare a person strive to achieve more than their current reality allows for? Or should we live realistically within the limits of what is feasible? In this episode we explore the very definition of being human, according to the Torah.

Parshat Bo tells of the Jewish people selecting a sheep/goat for the Passover sacrifice. Why was this done 4 days in advance? How does this inform our position of integrating vs. challenging society? Listen to learn what lessons this unusual Mitzvah has to teach us.

Ancient Egypt kept knowledge locked away from the people; Judaism takes the opposite approach. In this episode, we unpack a bit of that revolution.

Having high expectations and great idealism can be a mixed blessing at best; a dastardly curse at worst. In this episode, we unpack Moshe's attempted rejection of the call to leadership and apply its lessons to our complicated lives today.

Special guest and original Parsha podcast co-host Bobby Plax joins me in this week's episode for a brief conversation about the inspiration we sorely need and how Chanukah can provide it

We work hard, we pull ourselves up, and we achieve our goals. Then...we congratulate ourselves on a job well done, and soon enough we find ourselves back where we began. In this episode, we discover the simple but vital insight to help us avoid the repetitive hamster wheel of life.

There days when everything flows; but there are days when even taking a shower seems burdensome. In this episode, we explore what you should know about Jacob's name and what it teaches you about the dark days.

We hosted Rabbi Wolf for a seminar on mindfulness in the pandemic, and he offered helpful tips and deep wisdom towards responding to the stressors in our lives in a more enlightened way. Included as well is a guided meditation, beginning with an intro at the 28:38 mark. Enjoy this bonus episode!

Are you trying to control yourself, or are you trying to change yourself? Do we want to manage crime or resolve it? In this episode, we explore a lesson in the radical approach of refusing to come to terms with negativity and aiming for transformation. Time to change the world! Read the original 1965 talk of the Rebbe that this lesson is based on, which was translated for the first time ever by Ra...

There are people who never err, and are always doing the right thing. There are other people who veer from the proper path, but can recover and resume their journey with greater intensity. This week, we explore these two archetypes and discover the depth of Isaac's blessing to Jacob and its relevance to all who make mistakes.

Who doesn't love a deal? In business and shopping, we aim for value and better margins. In life, however, this approach can be inadequate. Why should we invest maximum effort and not take advantage of shortcuts or natural abilities? This week's episode explores the purchase of the Cave of Machpela by Avraham, and offers a profound insight into the goal of life. 

We are independent, autonomous people who cherish our individuality. "Commandments" chafe against our deeply prized uniqueness and choke off our creative self expression. Why should we take the notion of commandments seriously? This episode explores a good reason why, one that you may not have heard before. Send your feedback in a voice note here: https://anchor.fm/loodaism/message.

Being Jewish sometimes can feel like stale groupthink, where we all must fit into the box of generic sameness to qualify. In this episode, we explore how truthfully, there's a paradox to be explored and lived and group membership is only one side of the coin.

Our society seems to be completely lost when it comes to sharing constructive criticism. We engage in futile shouting matches, and the loudest bully seems to win. But there is a better way; listen and discover what it is.

Have you ever felt that your daily routine is at odds with your purpose? In this episode, we discuss the lesson the Torah offers by relating that G-d created light before everything else in creation. Follow along with the texts mentioned in the podcast by clicking here for the source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/268869 . For more in depth reading on the original ideas behind this lesson,...

Follow along in the sourcesheet here: www.sefaria.org/sheets/267353.  We'd love to feature your reactions and questions in the next episode! Upload your voicemail by clicking on the "message" button here: anchor.fm/loodaism.

A lesson from the Lulav and Etrog about cancel culture and social cohesion.