The Neshamah Project

In this episode, Rabbi Ben introduces us to the spiritual preparation of the month of Elul (the month leading up to the High Holy Days) via an excerpt from Rabbi Alan Lew on Elul and this week's Torah portion Parshat Re'eh. He also ends with a reflection on his time at the Rising Song Institute summer gathering with Joey Weisenberg, and a poem he wrote about the power of music.

In this episode of the Neshamah Project podcast, we discuss Parshat Eikev with spiritual teacher Maggid Rav Charna Rosenholtz. Our discussion ranges from awareness of causes and conditions in life to R' Isaac Luria, to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, to Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Come along on this journey!

In this episode of the Neshamah Project podcast, we discuss Parshat Eikev with spiritual teacher Maggid Rav Charna Rosenholtz. Our discussion ranges from awareness of causes and conditions in life to R' Isaac Luria, to Pythagoras, to the circle and the line, to Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Come along on this journey! (NOTE THIS IS THE UNCUT VERSION)

In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman discusses the Jewish holiday of T"u B'Av (15th of Av) in the context of Miriam the Prophetess, Moses, Isaiah, the Talmud, masculine and feminine, transgender theory, Rabbi Kalomymous Kalman HaLevi Epstein, mysticism, the Messianic age, and the recognizing the Divine in all beings.

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman discusses Tisha B'Av and presents several selections from the Talmud on why the Temple was destroyed followed by a midrash (creative spiritual story) by Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow on how to move beyond destruction toward the messianic age.

In this week we consider the idea of pleasure and sensuality and spirituality through the lens of the Torah commentary of Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl on this week's Torah portion, Matot-Masei, as well as Thich Nhat Hanh and Thubten Chodron.

In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman presents a brief exploration of the ideas of "Nothingness," the letter aleph, the numbers zero and one and they represent unlimited potential, and the necessary step in any transformation. He presents wisdom from Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, as well as the fiction author Ruth Ozeki, and the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki.

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman is joined by Rabbi Shoshana Leis to discuss Parshat Korach. Touched upon is Modernism, Postmodernism, and Integral theory among other topics.

In this episode insights on the Torah portion Shlach Lecha, and the worlds we create with our minds. Comments from Maggid of Mezrich and Zeev Wolf of Zhitomir.

Rabbi Ben Newman delves into this week's Torah portion, Be-Ha'alotcha, with the commentary of the Gerer Rebbe Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger which focuses in on the ideas of time, space, and person as well as thought, speech, and action.

In this 14th episode of the Neshamah Project, Rabbi Ben Newman discusses G!d as seen through a Hasidic commentary on the Torah portion Naso. He also presents a story from Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav, and a new song based on the Priestly Blessing.

In this 13th episode, Rabbi Ben Newman discusses the final sefirah called Malchut or Shechinah through the writings of Hillel Tzeitlen, Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green, Rachel Pollack, and Rabbi Lynne Gottlieb.

A song for peace, love and comfort based on the Priestly Blessing from the Torah.

In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman introduces us to the Sefirah of Yesod (AKA Tzaddik) through the writings of Hillel Tzeitlin, Arthur Green, and Rachel Pollack.

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman introduces us to the Sefirah of Hod and the 33rd day of the Omer (Lag BaOmer) which is the aspect of Hod she-be-hod. He does this through texts from Art Green, Laibl Wolf, Rachel Pollack, Talmud, Shulchan Aruch, Isaac Luria and Yerachmiel Yisrael Yitzchak of Aleksander.

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman continues his exploration of the 7 lower sefirot of Kabbalah and the Omer period with three texts on the sefirah of Netzach- "eternity, endurance."

In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman presents texts from Sefer HaBahir, Rabbi Hillel Tseitlen, Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green, and Rachel Pollack on the Sefirah of Tiferet which represents balance, harmony, truth, and compassion.

In episode 8 of the Neshamah Project podcast, Rabbi Ben Newman continues his study of the weeks of the Omer and introduces us to the Sephirah of Gevurah or Din (strength/judgement). This sephirah represents limits and boundaries. He reads texts from: Talmud, Tanya, Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl, R' Dr. Arthur Green, and Rachel Pollack.

Episode 7 of the Neshamah Project Podcast. Rabbi Ben Newman introduces us to the concept of the Omer and the counting of the Omer, and the spiritual quality associated with the first week of counting, that of Hesed (Love Without Limits). Several texts are presented including material from: The Bahir, The Zohar, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Hillel Tzeitlen, Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green, Rabbi Zalman Scha...

In this 6th episode of the Neshamah Project Podcast, Rabbi Ben Newman presents teachings on Passover from Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav, Rav Kook, and Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green.

Episode 5 of the Neshamah Project Podcast integrates a story from R' Nachman of Bratslav, a quote from Norman Fisher, and one of the Five Mindfulness Trainings of Thich Nhat Hanh to bring us a lesson on how to deal with the suffering and pain in our lives.

In this episode, Rabbi Ben reads a teaching by R' Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl on leaving our personal "narrow places," and an interpretation of this by Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green.

Rebbe Nachman's Likutei Mohoran 64. On the creation of the world through empty space and language and song.

Episode 2 of the Neshamah Project Podcast. A teaching from Rebbe Nachman on how to deal with strong fears and desires.

In this first episode of the Neshamah Project Podcast, Rabbi Ben Newman presents a teaching from R' Nachman of Bratslav's Likkutei Mohoran (#233) on a technique for overcoming negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions.