The Shmuz

What if everything you see in the physical world is only the surface layer of a much deeper spiritual reality? In this fascinating class based on Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier explores the idea that every physical entity has a spiritual counterpart that sustains it and directs its existence. Using the moon and stars as a vivid example, he reveals how the unseen spiritual world orchestrates everythi...

What happens when a person gives in to desire so completely that it becomes part of who they are? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier revisits the chilling story of Titus, the destroyer of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and the haunting punishment that followed him for seven years. But the lesson goes far beyond history. With a sharp, unforgettable analogy, Rabbi Shafier explains how unchecked desir...

Do you believe in Hashem, but sometimes feel that He’s out to get you? Then you have emunah, but lack bitachon. You see, it’s not enough to simply recognize that Hashem runs the world. As a frum Jew, you are also meant to internalize that Hashem is directly involved in your own life and knows what is best for you. Many of our problems with bitachon stem from the fact that we think we know better t...

Why does life feel like a constant tug-of-war between what the body wants and what the soul knows is right? In this unforgettable class on the Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier explains that Hashem created man from two opposing parts, the guf and the neshamah, and that this inner war is not a flaw but the very purpose of existence. He shows why beauty and misery can coexist, and why this world was neve...

Why does life feel like a constant tug-of-war between what the body wants and what the soul knows is right? In this foundational class on Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier explains that Hashem created man from two opposing forces, the guf and the neshamah, and that this inner conflict is not a bug, it's the very purpose of life. With awesome clarity, he explores why beauty and misery can exist side by...

Why do small temptations feel harmless in the moment, but later seem impossible to break free from? In this shocking class, Rabbi Shafier explores the yetzer hara not as a sudden force that overwhelms, but as a slow, strategic trap. What begins like a delicate spider web can slowly tighten into a rope that controls a person’s choices. Drawing on a powerful Gemara, he reveals the striking differenc...

Parshas Vayechi- A Ben Olam HaBa Every painful drop of suffering in olam hazeh has the potential to change your everlasting eternity. So why, in this week’s parsha, does Yaakov Avinu long for more tranquility? We know that our Avos wanted nothing more than to serve Hashem in total sincerity- if Yaakov Avinu wanted shalva , it was only to enhance his avodas Hashem . Hashem answers that his apprecia...

In this week’s parsha we learn of Yosef’s impeccable honesty, going above his obligation as viceroy and personally overseeing every sale during the years of famine. Although his behavior went above and beyond, as Torah Jews we can certainly use Yosef’s yashrus as an inspiration for our own business dealings. In this shmuz, Rabbi Shafier discusses some common pitfalls that can occur when in the wor...

How could Dovid HaMelech, a man of towering spirituality, learning, and devotion, fall so painfully? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier unpacks one of the most troubling episodes in Tanach, revealing how even the greatest among us are tested precisely at their weakest point. Through the story of Dovid and Batsheva, he explores the nature of the yetzer hara and the role of the Soton as a master...

Why do our best attempts to correct others so often make things worse? In this powerful class, Rabbi Shafier explores the “righting reflex”, the instinct to fix what we see as wrong, and reveals how it’s rooted in a deep inner conflict that began with Adam’s sin and continues to shape our struggles today. Through the lens of the Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier offers practical, sometimes uncomfortabl...

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

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

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

In this week’s parsha, Rashi explains how the lives of tzadikim , beloved to Hashem, are described in detail in the Torah. This is in contrast to reshaim like Eisav whose lives are not dwelt upon. Rashi compares the reshaim to ‘rocks’, something that is discarded when searching for a gem in the sand. The implication is that a life of evil is as worthless as a rock. What is the value of a human lif...

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

Hashem is Here Yaakov walked with Hashem. He achieved an enviable closeness with Ha Kodesh Baruch Hu , understanding that He is present and involved in every aspect of creation. How can you integrate this truth into your own life? How can you speak to Hashem and really feel that He’s listening, that He’s real and right here with you? In this hands-on shmuz, Rabbi Shafier presents you with an irres...

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

We learn in this week’s parsha that Yaakov Avinu was saved from Lavan’s murderous intentions in the merit of his hard work. Not because of his unfathomable yiras shamayim , not because of his avodas Hashem , not because he was the son of Yitzchak and the grandson of Avraham. Hard work. Something we can all relate to. Something that occupies many, many hours of our time throughout our lives. Why do...

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

By the age of fifteen, Eisav had already killed a man, lived with a married woman, denied the Torah and renounced mitzvos, techias hameisim and olam haba. Devoid of morality, it seems puzzling that he was so careful to honor his father Yitzchak. In this captivating Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier tackles the subject of appreciation. Tune in to discover why kibud av was so instinctive to Eisav, how we can get...

A frank strategy and plan for conquering desire. 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