Rebbi, I Have a Question! 11

Episode 11: How Do I Get Closer to Hashem? SHOW NOTES Elul is supposed to be a time of special closeness to Hashem. But what does that actually mean? If Hashem is always available to us, what changes during Elul? In this episode, Rabbi Shurin looks at the way Elul was experienced in the Mussar movement and the great European yeshivas, where the month was approached with an intensity that can feel foreign to many of us today. What can we learn from that approach, and how can we make those ideas relevant to a generation that may be building a relationship with Hashem from scratch? EPISODE TOPICS * What does it mean that “the King is in the field” during Elul? * If Hashem is always available, what makes Elul different? * How was Elul experienced in the Mussar movement and European yeshivas? * Is the traditional emphasis on fear and judgment the right approach for our generation? * How can we use Elul to develop a relationship with Hashem based on closeness, trust, compassion, and commitment? ABOUT THE PODCAST Rebbi, I Have a Question is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Host Dana Margolis brings real questions from students and alumni to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin, who draws on Torah wisdom, decades of experience, and the teachings of his grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l, to address the challenges of modern Jewish life. SEND US A QUESTION Have a question you’d like Rabbi Shurin to address? Email [email protected]. LEARN MORE To learn more about Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, visit www.darchenoam.org. ROSH HASHANAH TZEDAKAH As you plan your Rosh Hashana tzedaka, please prioritize Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya and help us continue educating and guiding the next generation of Torah Jews. Donate at: www.darchenoam.org/donate SUBSCRIBE If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit.