The Shmuz

You know that there are unhappy situations that cannot be changed. Sometimes, there are no easy solutions and you’re forced to live with the reality that Hashem has given you. When you’re confronted with a challenge, you’re given a choice: accept the master plan or cause yourself endless suffering. How do you make the decision that can lead to more happiness? How can you learn to let go of the hur...

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Consider this: The Seforno says, “In the beginning” means at the very first moment of time itself. But if Hashem existed before that, how could time have a beginning? It's a good kashe, no? In this short but powerful shiur, Rabbi Shafier untangles this question with an astonishing message for your own life. Not sure what your purpose is? Struggling to find meaning and direction? Even if you're not...

Thoughts lead to feelings. But it’s not so easy to change your thoughts. Even if you are leading a life filled with purpose and meaning, negative thought patterns can hold back your happiness. Rabbi Shafier offers practical guidance from a Torah perspective in this indispensable class. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service...

If you’re ready to shake off the dust of inertia and start acting like a tzelem Elokim, listen to this year’s Teshuvah Shmuz! This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

A response to tragic events. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Give Elsie the cow a field and some grass, and she’s happy. Completely content. But Man doesn’t work that way. No matter what a man has, he is always aspiring for more- looking for a better deal, a bigger house, a more fulfilling career. It seems that man is never satisfied. In this shiur, Rabbi Shafier discusses why it is that Hashem made us crave more, and how we can use this desire to achieve r...

I recently discovered an incredible chiddush in the Pele Yoetz. It’s to do with the soul of man. High-falootin’ concepts not for you? Keep reading. It’s totally relatable. The Pele Yoetz tells us that there are ‘seasons’ to the soul. Meaning, there are times when it’s just easier to feel happiness…or to experience genuine yiras shomayim …or even feel an overwhelming, deep love for Hashem. And this...

Ever felt like you wanted to: Make more time for important relationships Get healthy Do real teshuvah… And then, three months later: Whaddaya know, date night got pushed off...again The treadmill became a coat stand Um kavannah is still a major challenge?? And you wonder, ‘what on earth happened to my resolve? My commitment? My burning desire to change? Is there any hope for me and my ruchnius?’ I...

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

We’ve become numb to the abundance that surrounds us-and even though we live better than Kings, we’re still unhappy. This shiur will teach you how to really enjoy our modern day luxuries, feel truly rich and lead a life of joy.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewis...

The shame and blame game is not the voice of the yetzer tov. Listen to this compelling Shmuz and learn how to move forward constructively, even if you think you're unforgivable. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donat...

Now that Elul’s here, there’s no more excuses. You need to get real with yourself about who you are- a powerhouse of unlimited potential and strength, capable of achieving genuine greatness in this world and the next. Too harsh? Sounds like the other guy? You’re wrong. Watch this Shmuz and be convinced that you really are awesome.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts...

If you think that the path to spirituality is upon a mountain top subsisting on only bread and water, you’d be wrong. Hashem has filled this world with enjoyment-He wants you to find satisfaction in His creation. In this shiur, Rabbi Shafier makes the case for experiencing the joys of this world, and shows you how to use those pleasures to become closer to Hashem.   This podcast has been grac...

You want to be confident...but not arrogant. You want to work on your personal development, but cheshbon hanefesh is demoralizing. You know Hashem gave you talents and abilities- but are you ‘allowed’ to feel proud of your achievements? There are many contradictions when it comes to working on yourself, your middos and your self esteem. This Shmuz will help you discover the golden middle way withi...

In this unnerving Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier gives you a much needed pep-talk prior to the Yomim Noraim. Lacking motivation? Here’s your chance to get in a better place before Yom Kippur. Your battles are your jewels for all eternity, let’s use the month of Elul to face them head on.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service s...

We run after pleasure-whatever hits the spot for us, we indulge in it, spend money on it and wish for more. But what happens when your normal pleasures can no longer satisfy you? If you’ve ever over-indulged and regretted it, this shiur is for you. Rabbi Shafier clearly explains the role of pleasure in your life, and how to have it without the guilt.   This podcast has been graciously sponsor...

I say every morning ‘ sheasah li kol tzarci ’- Hashem, You have provided me with all of my needs. Three times a day I remind myself that You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with its desire . I know You want me to be happy, to enjoy Your world, to keep mitzvos and do Your will...so if that’s the case, WHY AM I SO BROKE? In this week’s Shmuz on the Parsha , we will take a closer look a...

Despite living in the relative luxury of the first world, many people feel as though their life is mediocre at best, and downright miserable at worst. In his introduction to The Pursuit of Happiness , Rabbi Shafier begins by challenging the listener to self-reflect on their own satisfaction with life, and offers some new insights as to what being ‘happy’ really means in our society.   This po...

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

You’re a ma’amim. You believe in Hashem, you believe in His Torah. But you’d probably like to get better at trusting in Hashem, right? That’s why you listen to shiurim, that’s why you’re reading this page. You might wish that you could be like the Gedolim, instead of getting bent out of shape by every bill, scared by every news report, bothered by why so many things just don’t seem fair. If this d...

LISTEN TO THE FULL VIRAL DATING & MARRIAGE PANEL , from Yad L'Achim's Tu B'Av Together Truly life changing advice.  Featuring: * Dr. David Lieberman * R' Reuven Epstein * R' Bentzion Shafier This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and s...

You’re a ma’amim. You believe in Hashem, you believe in His Torah. But you’d probably like to get better at trusting in Hashem, right? That’s why you listen to shiurim, that’s why you’re reading this page. You might wish that you could be like the Gedolim, instead of getting bent out of shape by every bill, scared by every news report, bothered by why so many things just don’t seem fair. If this d...

Join Rabbi Shafier as he unveils Chazal’s ancient secrets on how to attain true happiness: - Learn how wider society bombards you with messages that bring you down, and what you can do to protect yourself - Stop the negativity, resentment and jealousy with a powerful shift in perspective - Gain practical strategies to move past negativity and into fulfilment   This podcast has been graciously...