Practical Spiritual Tidbits

In this episode we discuss the concept of the "Shechinah," often translated as "Divine Feminine." What actually is it? What do the Sages teach about it? What philosophical question does it help to answer? How does it impact a person practically?One source I forgot to mention connected to the prayer idea is the Talmud (Pesachim 46a) which says "When a person is in pain, what does the Shechinah say? 'Woe to my head, woe to my arm!'"Some of the sources used in this podcast are: "Linked to the Shechinah" by Rav Yaakov Hillel, and "32-Gates" by Rav DovBer Pinson, Gate 12.

In this episode we explore the inner voice of self-doubt. Based on a Kabbalistic reading of two characters in the Bible, and based on that, what seems to be the biblical advice for overcoming that voice. Please note that this episode was recorded outdoors, please forgive me for the audio quality.

In this episode, we discuss the topic of Divine timing. Is it really true that there's a preordained time for when things will happen? And, is there anything we can do to speed up that timeline?

In this episode we look at the power of music to foster unity. We quote Kabbalistic, Talmudic, and psychological sources.

In this episode, we explore the phenomenon that humans always seem to want more/growth/expansion. We go through some stories and sources on the topic, and offer a Kabbalistic explanation for it.

In this episode we discuss the prophecies about the war of Gog and Magog from Ezekiel 38-39 and Zechariah 14, and how later Sages understood them. What is it? Who is Gog? Who is involved? Is it metaphorical? What is its purpose? And more...

In this episode we discuss the concept of an aura. Starting with Nicola Tesla and other scientists, and then getting into multiple spiritual/Kabbalistic sources.

In this episode, we suggest 3 different sources for the concept of the 'third eye.' We get into a discussion about where desires originate.

In this episode we discuss the energy of "appreciation." We discuss the spiritual impact of appreciation, including a few stories, as it relates to different types of relationships in our lives: person to person, person to self, and person to Creator.

The fact that gemstones have healing properties is rooted in the Bible. In Exodus 39:10-14 it lists 12 gemstones that were to be placed in the breastplate the high priest in the Temple, each stone corresponding to a son of Jacob. The Kabbalists (e.g. Rabbeinu Bachya (1255-1340), on Exodus 28:15) teach that based on what we know about the life of each of those sons, we can derive what the healing powers of each respective stone are. In this episode, we go through each stone and its healing properties. (The English definitions of the stones come the research of the Italian physician Abraham Portaleone (d. 1612, a student of Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu haKohen of Izmir), in his book Shlatte Giborim, which I learned of from Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutch from the Living Torah museum in Brooklyn, New York.) In Summary: 1) Ruby (Reuben)- Strength, energy, and healthy pregnancy2) Topaz (Shimon)- Cools the body, calm3) Emerald (Levi)- Insight, wisdom, ability to self-express4) Garnet (Yehuda)- Self-confidence, enemies run from you5) Sapphire (Yissachar)- Heals eye-sight (inc. third eye), pain, swelling, depression6) Diamond (Zevulun)- Helps with sleep7) Opal (Dan)- Creativity/ vision8) Agate (Naftali)- Balance, protection from plague9) Amethyst (Gad)- Courage and strength of mind10) Beryl (Asher)- Digestion, wisdom and understanding11) Onyx (Joseph)- Attractive to others12) Jasper (Benjamin)- Good reputation

In this short episode, we discuss whether G-d is more of a being or a principle.

In this episode, I sit down with Rabbi Josh Zebberman, who is a rabbi and couples counselor. He shares his unique approach to counseling, which involves focusing more on & highlighting what's working well, and less on what's not working as well. He shares many stories of different clients and how this approach has helped. We get into Hasidic and Kabbalistic discussions related to this approach. You can find him on his website rabbijosh.org; instagram @rabbijoshzebberman.

Katia Bolotin, a Torah educator and speaker, writer, pianist and composer, is the author of the recently published book "Making it Relevant," which is about finding practical meaning and application from the weekly Torah portion. In this conversation we talk about King David's life, various lessons from Psalms, resilience, optimism, setbacks, a perspective on sadness, and more! You can find her book on Amazon here, or from Mosaica here, and her music on streaming platforms.

In this episode I sit down with Noa Amalia Arazi, the founder of "Destined to be a Jew," an organization that supports thousands of people converting - and considering converting - to Judaism. We discuss her personal story converting to Judaism, the top reasons why people decide to convert, where across the globe most conversions take place, how long conversion takes, common challenges, how it feels to convert/ if it feels totally different, how much is one expected to know before converting, and more! You can find her on instagram @destined_to_be_a_jew, on her website here, and on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and on her Whatsapp community.

It was enlightening to speak with Rav Yehuda HaKohen, the co-founder of the Vision Movement, about a vision for Israel's future. We discuss the biblical concept of a society based on tribal identity, the concept of a "Kohen/Priest," what a government looks like from a biblical perspective, the spiritual paths of Abraham versus Nahor (Abraham's brother), the soul of the Land of Israel, a vision for how to reconcile between Israelis and Palestinians and more!

In this conversation, Rav Joey Rosenfeld shares profounds insights about Kabbalah, the past, free will versus divine orchestration, a perspective for singles, effort versus faith, where does HaShem "end" and a human "begin," self-love and giving to oneself, how to be less judgemental, and more! Rav Joey is a prominent teacher of Kabbalah, and a therapist. You can find him on YouTube here, on Spotify here, or on his website here, or on instagram here. You can use my discount link for SHARE's new publication, the Introduction to the Zohar by Rav Yehuda Ashlag, with a forward by Rav Joey, here.

Dr. Aziz Gazipura is a world renowned expert in self-confidence, the famed bestselling author of "Not Nice," host of "Shrink for the Shy Guy" Podcast and the "Get More Confidence" YouTube channel, and the recently published book "Doubtless." In this conversation, we go deep into how one's relationship with a higher power impacts one's self-confidence. You can find Dr. Aziz on his website draziz.com.