The Shmuz

Let them become holy . The command that has echoed throughout our history and enjoins us to be separate and unique, a beloved holy nation that will forever stand apart. But how special can I be, when I’m just one out of seven billion people on this planet? In the third class of the series, Rabbi Shafier empowers us to recognize our inherent closeness to the Ribbono Shel Olam . When we fully intern...

This Shmuz is the ultimate ‘pick me up’. From the wonders of Creation to Hashem’s intimate involvement in our lives, Rabbi Shafier gives chizuk, inspiration and clarity on our purpose in this world. Listen to this to learn how wonderful it is to be alive.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us contin...

Respect is the basis of every meaningful relationship, and yet we find that even the choshuve talmidim of Rabbi Akiva fell short on this middah. In this week’s Shmuz on the Parsha, Rabbi Shafier takes an in-depth look at the Torah approach to respect, analyzing where the talmidim tripped up and how we can avoid the same shortcomings in our interactions with others. Taking a frank look at our marri...

Standing At the Foot of the Mountain As we journey towards Shavuos, Rabbi Shafier weaves together the events of Matan Torah with major concepts in Jewish thought. Tune in and discover why Torah is the spiritual nourishment for the world, what it means to be an am segula and how it was possible for Moshe Rabbeinu to argue with the Ribbono Shel Olam. At the Foot of Har Sinai combines explanations ta...

We have a mitzvah to remember Har Sinai. In order to do so, we must firstly understand with depth and clarity what happened on that momentous day. At the Foot of Har Sinai will take you through the majesty and awe, giving a fascinating account of the events that transpired. Although it is hard to imagine the miracles the Bnei Yisroel lived with, we can begin to appreciate why they experienced such...

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

Rabbi Shafier and Rabbi Weissberg join Coach Menachem on the Let's Get Real Podcast. Listen to this frank discussion on overcoming disconnection, distance and communication breakdowns. 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...

The second perek of the Mesillas Yesharim opens with an introduction to zehirus. Loosely translated as ‘mindfulness’, the Ramchal urges you to start paying attention to your everyday thoughts, actions and emotions. Without this, you are guaranteed to stumble through life without giving even a second thought as to who you are and who you want to be. If you want to maximize your potential in this wo...

This Shmuz will blow your mind. From Tiger Woods to the Halo Effect, Rabbi Shafier explains what motivates us to buy, why pretty people get better judgements and how sometimes- you can’t even trust yourself. A must for anyone living in today’s world.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue ou...

Unlike other middos that are difficult to break, lashon hara isn’t driven by passion or desire. All you need to do is become more attentive of what the Torah demands, and you can start amassing a serious amount of zechar for yourself. Listen now to make this mitzvah easy!   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so plea...

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

What happens when society is no longer held down by what’s right-and what’s wrong? When self-expression has no boundaries, does it even matter? In this straight-talking Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier addresses our current political climate from a balanced, Torah perspective, offering us clarity and understanding in a confusing world.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. Th...

Living Through the Makos continues with a detailed explanation on how Moshe ended up in Midian, his meeting with Tzipporah and his first encounter with the Ribbono Shel Olam at the Sneh . Rabbi Shafier gives a clear and articulate delivery of the events that subsequently unfold, shedding light on how Shevet Lev i managed to be excluded from the shibud . He also gives some poignant moments to conte...

In the first session of Living Through the Makos, Rabbi Shafier explains how Klal Yisroel went from being a privileged nation in Egypt to tortured slaves. He discusses the rise of anti-Semitism amongst the Mitzri, and how their hatred of others ultimately led to their hatred of themselves. Packed with valuable life-lessons, this series is guaranteed to give you the ultimate in Pesach preparation a...

In today’s society, you are relentlessly bombarded with two fallacies: One, that money equals happiness, and two, that your sense of self should be defined by your net worth. The Torah rejects both of these ideas, yet this week’s parsha shows that the attraction to money is inherent in the briah. In this uncomfortably relevant Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier challenges you to take a long, hard look at how yo...

You are a spiritual being navigating a temporary physical existence in this world. But oh, how easy it is to forget! It’s so tempting to get caught up in the distractions of olam hazeh, losing sight of what truly matters. The key? Learning to keep the main thing the main thing. When you shift your focus beyond the fleeting to the eternal, you unlock a life of deeper meaning, purpose, and ultimate...

We often hear about the importance of teshuvah, loving others, and being mevater—essential values for a Torah Jew. But how often do we hear about forgiving ourselves? We are capable of surpassing even melachim, yet we have faults and failings—how can we still fulfill our purpose? By recognizing that failure is part of growth; it doesn’t define us, it makes us human. Hashem doesn’t expect perfectio...

One of the most difficult character traits to work on is humility. Not only is it considered the most praise-worthy of all of the middos, it is the most misunderstood. On one hand, we are obligated to appreciate the greatness of the human, yet on the other, we must remain humble. One way we can reach a greater understanding of anava is to learn what is not. By analysing the incredible arrogance of...

In the fourth session on Megillas Esther, Rabbi Shafier brings the conclusion of the Megillah dramatically to life. From Haman’s sudden demise to our own swift salvation, this class will explain the final perakim with additional insight and depth. Discover why Purim is considered to be greater than the kabbola at Har Sinai, how Haman’s unchecked arrogance inevitably led to his downfall and what fo...

Before Esther went into Achashverosh, Mordechai commanded the Jewish nation to fast for three days. Rashi tells us that those three days included the first day of Pesach. That means that Mordechai abolished the mitzvos of eating matzah, drinking the four cups, and eating marror that year. Since there were more than eleven months until the decree was to take place, what was the sudden need for acti...

Esther stands at the threshold of the throne room, prepared to forfeit her life in this world and the next.  Instead, she is assisted by three melachim, achieves ruach hakodesh and is the catalyst for Klal Yisroel’s eventual salvation.  Aside from the obvious message that Hashem can always flip things around in an instant, there are many other life lessons to be learned.  Firstly, E...

In this week’s parsha, Hashem explains to Moshe how to make Menorah. But the menorah is made miraculously- so why the explanation? This question underpins one of the fundamental concepts in Torah hashkafa: the delicate balance between bitachon and hishtadlus.  Whether it’s health, shidduchim or parnassah, how much effort are you expected to invest, and when should you say that you’re leaving...

Most people aren't happy. Why not? Even when a person can have all of their physical wants and needs met, they can still feel empty inside. Caveat: We’re not talking mental illness here. We’re discussing the pain a soul feels from ignoring it’s potential. It’s a pain familiar to all of us. Tune into this class understand it better and reach a greater level of fulfillment in your life. Reaching tho...