AVODAH ALIVE

We have a tendency to learn something, and then store it away in a box somewhere in our mind. And that's OK for about 99% of what we do on a daily basis. Rabbi wants you to look deeper when it comes to Torah study and understand, unless you internalize and stop trying to put Torah learning in a box, to be taken out when convenient, growth will be difficult and will feel cumbersome. Learning while keeping the Torah lessons current, makes it part of your life and helps you grow in many new and exciting ways. Listen and see if you don't agree.

When something is a go9ft, learning it becomes a joy, not a chore. Once Moshe was gifted the Torah at Mount Sinai by Hashem, it was easy to learn, and for the rest of us to carry inside us. Take a listen and discover a new way to access what's already inside you

Shavuos is coming, a celebration of the Jewish people accepting the Torah some 3300 plus years ago. So once we received the Torah, why do we celebrate every year? Surely, we have all the laws and decrees - what more is there? Plenty - and Rabbi is about to bring you a few thoughts on the idea that Hashem wants us to BE the Torah, not just DO what it says. Fascinating ideas await you.

The story is amazing - what's more amazing is Hashem's love for his people. Listen as Rabbi explains the hidden miracle of Hashem and a history of promises kept

It's a great story - the Exodus from Egypt. So why are we worried about turning i into a class each year? Rabbi takes the time to explore this phenomenon and why you need to step back and remember why we were touched by the story to begin with. One of Rabbi's most important and meaningful discussions.

It's the Rabbi's turn to take on a huge issue in the Jewish world - that, of motivation. It may be the number one factor that causes Jewish people to doubt their connection to G-d. How do you motivate and stay motivated..? Rabbi discusses how it's not about setting or even reaching goals . It's all about growth instead. A fascinating discussion of why growth become smore important in your journey - and how to grow so you stay motivated.

If Judaism has become nothing more than checking boxes, you're missing the point. In this podcast, Rabbi explores how ratzon offers a different, more vibrant approach to everything in Judaism, from celebrating Pesach to every day davening. If you're looking for a better way to develop meaning in your spiritual life, this is a must-listen to

On one hand, we're told to eliminate Amalek from our thoughts. And yet, the Torah then instructs us to remember what Amalek did to us. So which is it? Well, Rabbi digs into all that, along with the connection to Purim and Haman and how deep your belief level could actually leave you short. A truly powerful podcast.

In his continuing pursuit of das, Rabbi explores the idea of seder, or order as it's defined. By brining order to your world, from davening to personal relationships, you create more understanding of everything around you, and imbue your world with a new level of holiness.

The Torah is a tool. And it may seem overwhelming to try to learn. But as Rabbi explains in this segment of AVODAH ALIVE, the beauty of Torah already exists inside you. You will connect because it's in your Jewish DNA. Listen and hear what that all means.

We fall into a rut. And that means we stop 'listening' to the messages G-d is sending to us everyday. That red car you passed on the highway was a message. So was who you sat next to in shul last Shabbos. Listen, as Rabbi explains that the messages you need and seek from G-d are all around - we just have to learn to use Das, to 'hear' them.

We grow up learning about and celebrating the military victory of the Maccabee against the Greeks - and of course, the miracle of the oil. But Chanukah is more about the battle of Torah versus the Greek way of life . It's developing from the outside versus from the inside. Come discover a different way to approach Chanukah with Rabbi Lebovits.

Das is loosely translated as knowledge. Letting your das take over and guide your movement forward is the true way to allow your spirituality to expand, and grow stronger. One can be doing the right things, but operating on autopilot. Living with das means becoming engaged at a whole new level.

If we just get into a routine and stay there, where's the growth? Once you get into a rut, it's hard to get out. So in this installment, Rabbi Lebovits challenges you to escape the rut - by adding tension to your world. Tension, in the form of decisions, or alternatives, of making choices instead of just choosing the same old same old. See a new way to embrace your pursuit of Torah, one that opens an infinite amount of new doors.

How can a process of separation actually draw you closer to Hashem and your own feeling of spiritual connection? Rabbi Lebovits explains how four simple steps can change everything for you, and get you out of your routine.

It would be so nice if life were smooth sailing everyday and we were never challenged by obstacles in the way. But Rabbi Lebovits brings down teachings, along with his own view of growth, that simply states, if you're happy with routine, and you go through life without paying attention, you're never going to grow, to reach your potential. Take a listen and see how you react to some out-of-the-box thinking.

Seeking out new wisdom and then applying that wisdom to our lives'. That is one definition of Hislamdos, and in this segment, Rabbi Lebovits explains how this thought process is essential if you want to grow and expand your spiritual understanding.

When you have 100, you want 200. When you have 200, you want 400. Some tell us wanting more is not good thing. But why? In this segment , Rabbi Lebovits brings down ideas about why wanting more is good -and then injects his own original thoughts to help you understand why that is, Come along for his special journey.

Taking on challenges is fine and that's a way to attain a certain growth. But by searching and seeking out ways to improve yourself spiritually, you're really on a path that will bring the most dramatic results. Growth is not about checking boxes and checking off 'things to do', it's about charting a path that offers results, and then inspires you to move on and do more.

Small steps. If you want to grow and you want to make an impact, take on small projects. Expand your davening. Go to Daf Yomi. Choose small, doable projects that won't dissuade you from continuing, even if they're hard for you to do. Big projects that fail mean it's too easy to give up totally. Try this, after hearing the reasoning behind it

Rabbi and his producer sit down and discuss the ideas from Podcast 82 in a bit more depth. Rabbi fields some specific questions and delves a bit more into how it's possible to maintain the spirituality you achieve during your High Holy Day davening. A more relaxed format than the usual one, you'll find this intriguing.

Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur bring us to an amazing spiritual high, that slowly fades as they days and weeks pass. So, how do we maintain that level and build on it? Rabbi says, treat it like a business. A business?!? How are we supposed to do that? This is the place to learn what that means.

No one wants their will to be disrespected. But what about a will that's not like others. Nonetheless, Rabbi explores how respecting a person's will is tantamount to respecting yourself, and the only way for you to move forward.

This promises to be one of the most thought-provoking podcasts you're going to hear. Rabbi not only discusses the whys of Tisha B'av but brings down some commentary that I promise you have not heard before. Prepare to be challenged.

People have many motivations that drive their actions. But there's more to it than that - there's will. The will to do something is what helps people decide how they want to do things in life. Rabbi explains a little about will in this podcast and begins to determine it's a persons will be have to acknowledge, and respect, if we're going to make this a better world.

Kaddish is more than just a prayer - it's a key to making this world a closer vision of what Hashem wants. Because Kaddish opens the door to ask the question, 'Instead of fighting with those who don't agree with me, what if I could find a way to get them to help bring kiddusha, or holiness into the world?' What a huge difference that could make. Let Rabbi explain how he feels it can get done.

Kiddusha is more than holiness. Kiddusha is a way to see the world through an incredible new lens, one not available to everyone. An every mitzvah that you perform, bring you a higher and higher level of kiddusha. Finish this podcast and you will not look at your world the same way, ever again.

Why do we say brochos..? What value do they have? Is it for Hashem that we do this? No, it's for us. In this podcast, we explore why the brochos are there for us, what they mean ad how they are designed to inspire us to a greater, more meaningful connection to Hashem.

The Torah is a transformative experience. That means just studying the Torah is not enough. The Torah becomes a living parchment when you assume Torah principles and allow them to guide you in life. Learn more about this idea and how it can happen for you.

It's time to understand that Shabbos should be the centerpiece of your week, the time you cherish instead of counting the minutes until it's over so you can resume your every day life. Let's talk more about it now.

There are two paths to take - the one that makes things easy because we don't take on life to its fullest. And then there's the way of bringing G-d's existence into this world, through the Torah. It's a struggle we face every day, Here are some ways to go bigger, strive better and bring holiness to the world.

Why do we celebrate the exodus on Seder night instead of just waiting for Shavuos? Rabbi Lebovits explains why it is the seder night that celebrates the Jewish people coming into being

You're searching for meaning again in the story of the Exodus. But maybe your expectations are a bit askew. Instead of seeking NEW information, maybe you need to remind yourself, that while reading the Hagaddah, it's speaking to YOU, as if YOU are the one who is leaving Egypt in a hurry. Explore this idea in this fascinating and thought-provoking podcast with Rabbi and see if it doesn't change your Seder experience..

How do you find fresh meaning each year when it comes time to discuss the story of Passover with family and friends? Here is a way to look at the events of the Exodus which you may not have ever thought of.

Purim may be joyous for many different reasons, but the main message of Purim is one that requires looking in a different place than you may normally look. A truly exceptional message delivered by Rabbi, one that will remain with you for a long time to come.

Who is really in control of your life? Is it you..? Is it Hashem? Maybe the answer is a bit more complicated than all that. Follow Rabbi as he delves into a deeper meaning to an age old question and allows you to come out with a new, more satisfying answer.

Rabbi confronts a dilemma we all have. After all, we've read the story of Pesach - but how do we read it so its fresh, with a fresh new feeling every year? Listen, as you get insight into a new way to approach the Haggadah, and your davening

Rabbi Lebovits continues to explore the conundrum of 'Is G-d In Control' or 'Is man?' Or can it be both? How is that possible. Explore incredible possibilities in this continuing discussion, and even find yourself questioning what you've always believed to be the answer.

Is man in charge, or is G-d the One who determines all outcomes? This question has tugged at minds through the generations. We continue to discuss it here, by offering a vastly different idea than the answer you may have already thought of. See if this doesn't give you a new perspective on a question as old as mankind itself.

A deeper dive into the struggle of, "Is man in charge of this world, or is Hashem?"

Is G-d in control? Or are we in control? Rabbi Lebovits' answer? Yes. It's time to dive into the ultimate conundrum and explore how much control do we really have over our own lives.