Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices For Every Day

What does it really mean to give, and why is it so hard? In the fourth episode of a series on money, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Torah's radical call to generosity through the Hebrew phrase patoach tiftach , "open, open your hand," and what the Sfat Emet teaches about the two barriers that keep us closed. With a simple embodied practice, Josh invites listeners to literally unfurl a fist and...

In Part 3 of our mindfulness and money series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on how social comparison, especially in the age of social media, shapes our relationship to money and self worth. Through a story from Venice and a teaching from Jewish morning blessings, Josh invites us to pause, notice the pull of comparison, and return to a simple truth: in this moment, we have what we need for the nex...

Rabbi Josh Feigelson pauses the current series to reflect on the fear and uncertainty many Jews are feeling during the ongoing war. Drawing on Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s teaching that “the whole world is a very narrow bridge,” he offers a short mindfulness practice to help us notice fear without amplifying it. This episode invites listeners to breathe, soften, and remember that we are not walking...

Impulse buying is easy. Mindful spending takes practice. In Part 2 of our six-part series on money, Jewish wisdom helps us pause before we swipe—and turn everyday spending into a moment of awareness. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- Th...

We all have a little Tevye in us. In this first episode of a six-part series on money, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores what Judaism and mindfulness teach about wealth and the feeling of “not enough.” Beginning with Fiddler on the Roof’s “If I Were a Rich Man,” he turns to Rabbi Shimon Ben Zoma’s question: “Who is wealthy? One who is happy with what they have.” How can Jewish wisdom and mindfulness h...

In the final episode of this six-part series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on truth, trust, and responsibility in today’s overwhelming news landscape. Exploring the danger of “spiritual bypass,” he draws on the Jewish concept of emet (truth) to show how mindfulness can ground us — not to escape the world, but to engage it with clarity and care. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. This episode is...

How do we face the news without being overwhelmed by it? Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on a painful parenting moment to explore how mindfulness can help us meet difficult news with care. In the fifth episode of a series on mindful news consumption, Josh draws on Jewish wisdom to reframe the news as an opportunity for compassion, balance, and grounded engagement. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media....

How do we survive the 24/7 news cycle without losing our balance—or ourselves? In Part 4 of our miniseries on mindfully engaging with the news, Rabbi Josh Feigelson introduces Shabbat Mind as a Jewish response to nonstop media and constant urgency. Reflecting on the disorientation of an always-on news environment, Josh reframes Shabbat not just as a weekly day of rest, but as a mindset that helps...

This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the idea of the news bubble—how algorithms, tribalism, and polarization shape what we see and how we react to the news. In Part 3 of a six-episode series on engaging with the news mindfully, Josh draws on Jewish wisdom and a powerful Talmudic teaching about being “soft like a reed and not stiff like a cedar” to reflect on how news bubbles can harden us into...

In Part 2 of our series on mindfully engaging with the news, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores why the news so often sends us into emotional spirals—and how we can respond with more awareness and compassion. Drawing on the Buddhist teaching of the “second arrow,” Jewish wisdom about hesech hada’at, and a classic Talmudic story about Hillel the Elder, this episode offers a practical mindfulness practic...

Why do so many of us feel compelled to avoid the news—and what does Judaism have to say about it? In the first episode of a new series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores News Avoidance Syndrome through Jewish mindfulness and introduces a simple practice to help us engage with the news without becoming overwhelmed. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalaf...

Rabbi Josh Feigelson revisits how to incorporate "yes moments" into our lives, in order to open ourselves to positivity.  Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand. For other p...

Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025⁠ In this special re-release, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on the profound impact of blessings and the impact a blessing can have on various aspects of daily life. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: Th...

Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025⁠ In the final episode of the Family miniseries, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on family, ancestry, and legacy through the Jewish image of a tree planted by a river, drawing on his own family’s genealogy, stories of loss and recovery after the Shoah, and the Hebrew ideas of nachal (str...

Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025⁠ Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the idea of family beyond biology—the “refrigerator friends” and chosen family who nourish our lives with love, care, and belonging. In part nine of the Family miniseries, Josh invites listeners to expand their definition of family. Drawing on Jewish tex...

Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025⁠ In the latest episode on family, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Jewish practice of apology and forgiveness—why it matters so deeply in family life and how we can approach it with compassion, humility, and intention. Through a personal story and a guided mindfulness exercise, Josh...

What does it mean to age, remember, and let go through the lens of Jewish mindfulness? The 7th episode in a series on family explore this question. Inspired by childhood memories of tying knots with his father—and the phrase “may their soul be bound in the bonds of life”—Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks how the ties that connect us to loved ones both tighten and loosen as we confront aging and mortali...

Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks a puzzling bar/bat mitzvah blessing that thanks God for releasing parents from responsibility—and reveals the deep wisdom behind it. What sounds harsh becomes a lens into the lifelong dance of holding on and letting go as kids grow into independence. With Jewish teachings, real family dynamics, and a nod to Kenny Rogers, Josh explores how parents and children evolve to...

Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores how mindful communication can transform family relationships, even when tensions run high. Through a candid story about navigating a tough parenting moment, he shows how slowing down, listening with empathy, and grounding conversations in love can make even difficult moments more meaningful. In the fifth episode in the family series, Josh draws on the V’ahavta prayer,...

In this deeply personal episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson shares the story of his mother—known to all as “Happy”—whose unshakable joy and unconditional love continue to inspire even as she lives with Alzheimer’s. Through her example, and guided by Jewish teachings on ahava, Josh explores love not just as emotion but as mindful practice—a way to stay present, connected, and grounded in what truly matte...

In part 3 of a miniseries on family, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the deep connection between time, intention, and family—and how Jewish wisdom invites us to align our schedules with our values. He shares a laugh-and-learn story from his early days as a campus rabbi and offers a simple weekly reflection to help you slow down, realign, and make time for what (and who) really matters. Be in touch a...

Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores what Jewish tradition calls brit — a covenantal partnership built on commitment, choice, and renewal in part 2 of a miniseries on family. Drawing on Torah and mindfulness practice, Josh reflects on how sacred relationships help us “hold and be held,” and offers a short meditation to experience that balance of choosing and being chosen in everyday family life. Be in to...

In the Season 5 premiere, Rabbi Josh Feigelson kicks off a new miniseries on family—how it shapes who we are and how we can engage with it more mindfully. Drawing on Torah stories from Genesis and insights from family-systems pioneer Salvador Minuchin, Josh explores how family is both something we inherit and something we create. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful P...

Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on the ancient Jewish phrase “Gam zeh ya’avor” – “This too shall pass.” Drawing wisdom from his friend Marvin, the festival of Sukkot, and the anniversary of October 7, Josh explores how Jewish mindfulness teaches us to live with impermanence while holding onto hope. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media. Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every Day is a produc...

Have you ever thought about the definition of Spirituality? In this episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson ponders the meaning of spirituality through the holiday of Sukkot. Whether you're sitting in a sukkah or simply taking a moment to breathe, this episode encourages you to reflect on your sense of belonging and the spiritual connections that make us feel truly at home. Be in touch at josh@unpacked.medi...