The Shmuz

Latest Episodes:

#126 - Dignity of Man Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

While there is much talk today about the importance of self esteem and its effect on a person's attitudes and accomplishments, there is a corollary benefit of understanding the greatness of man -- If I am obligated to respect myself because I was created in the image of HASHEM, then so too, I must respect you, because you also were created in that same image. In fact, Ben Azzai teaches us that if a person wants to improve his interpersonal relationships, a concept that will help him even more than Loving one's neighbor as oneself, is this understanding that All men are created in the image of HASHEM. This Shmuz focuses us on the Torah's view of the true dignity of man, and the profound effect that this concept has on our lives. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#127 - Breaking The Forces of Habits Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

We are creatures of habit -- we act by habit, we react by habit and, to a large extent, we even think by habit. And, in truth, it has to be that way. If we didn't act based on previously established patterns of behavior, life would be unmanageable. If every time we turned a corner we would have to think through the actions involved, our entire mind's focus would be on navigating the basics of living, with no upper brain room left for thinking. For that reason, HASHEM gave us this ability to put things on auto pilot, doing many activities without even giving them a second thought, thereby leaving us the ability to free our mind for more important things.While this reality is a fact of life, it also brings us face to face with one of the core realities of growth: our habits determine who we are and what we become. Assuming that some of my habits are in my best interest and some aren't, the question then becomes, "How do I change".This Shmuz helps us identify those habits that affect us, and then defines the strategies necessary to change them. In this Shmuz we are introduced to the vital obligation upon every Jew to be involved in Kiruv, and some practical understandings as to how easy it for everyone, not just the Kiruv professional, to have a profound effect on the people around us. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#128 - Kiruv: The Message & The Medium Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

In 1996 Gordon and Horowitz published a study entitled Will your grandchildren be Jewish? Their conclusion: if one were to view the Jewish Nation as a totality, based on ever decreasing birth rates and skyrocketing intermarriage rates, the odds of any Jews being left by the end of the 21 st century are slim to none. However, one category stands out in stark relief -- the Orthodox. Based on their average birth rate of between 4-6 children per family, and their intermarriage rate of less than 3%, they are burgeoning and ever increasing. We should expect that by the end of this century the Jewish Nation will be alive and vibrant, however strictly Orthodox. The only question that remains is of those Jews alive today: How many will make it themselves, and how many of their grandchildren will be Jewish. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#129 - HaKaras HaTov: Recognizing the Good Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

Shmuz INfo Coming Soon.... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#130 - Living With Bitachon Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

We know that everything is from HASHEM. We also know that we must do our part-- our Hishtadlus. In theory it is easy to find the balance-- I must act in the way of the world, yet knowing all the while that HASHEM runs everything. One of the great challenges of life is actually personifying that tightrope walk between Bitachon and proper Hishtadlus. How hard should I be working? How seriously should I take the medical reports and new findings? When is it appropriate for me to say, "I have done my part, now it is in HASHEM's hands"? Drawing on some very inspiring examples of perfect Bitachon, this Shmuz helps us put our belief system into practice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#131 - Working For A Living Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

We know that we were put on this planet for a few short years, to shape ourselves into who we will be for eternity. HASHEM has created this world specifically to give us the chance to mold our inner essence. We also know that the Torah and its mitzvahs are the greatest vehicles of self perfection. If so, one of the questions that a thinking person must ask themselves is, why do we need work? HASHEM is quite capable of creating a world where all of man's needs are met. Yet, not only do we labor, it seems that majority of our life is spent earning a living. Why would HASHEM want that to be? If the entire purpose of life is to allow us to grow in spirituality, wouldn't those goals have been better met by putting us in a world where all of our physical needs were met, and then we would have the time and energy to focus on perfecting ourselves? This Shmuz addresses one of the most basic questions a Jew must ask himself: Why does HASHEM want us to work for a living? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#147 - Finding G-d Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

On 12 April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. Upon his return, he made the famous statement, I have proven that G-d doesnt exist I was in heaven, and I didn't see any God up there." While we may find his logic simple minded, in reality, he makes a valid point. How can the Torah expect us to believe in something that all of our senses deny? We relate to the world through our five senses, yet none of them can perceive the presence of HASHEM. How can a person be expected to see HASHEM when everything he experiences clearly denies HASHEM existence? This Shmuz focuses on how we can come to see HASHEM clearly and experience His presence in our lives. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#149 - The System of Tshuvah Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

We know that Tshuvah works. The Nivim told us it does, Chazal repeat it many, many times, and we even have Yom Kippur, a day created specifically for tshuvah. The question isn't whether Tshuvah works, but why I don't make use of it? Why is it that I don't stand there on Yom Kippur with tears flowing down my face, repenting, improving, ridding myself of a year's worth of iniquities? It isn't that I don't want to. It isn't even that I don't believe in it. It just seems that I don't feel a need to repent. This Shmuz focuses on the motivation to do Tshuvah and the different parts of the Tshuvah process. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#150 - Being a Religious Atheist Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

An atheist is someone who doesnt believe in G-d. A religious person is someone who practices a lifestyle that serves G-d. It would therefore seem obvious that being a religious atheist would be a contradiction in terms. Yet not only isnt this correct, the phenomenon of religious atheists is far more prevalent than we realize. This Shmuz focuses us on some of the bedrock foundations of our religion and some of the strange experiences that result from living a life unexamined. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

#151 - Be Bold, Be Brave Mar 09, 2019

Show notes

All the great leaders and teachers of the Jewish Nation had faults and flaws. The Torah tells us the shortcomings of Avrohom, Dovid, and Shlomo. More amazingly, the Gemarah tells us that the four men who never sinned aren't counted amongst the greatest of our nation. Why? The reason is simple. HASHEM didn't put us on the planet not to sin. HASHEM created us to act - to accomplish, to change ourselves, to change our world. To do this, we need to stand up for what is right, despite the odds, despite what others will say or think. But where does a person get the courageand strength to do just that: to be bold and be brave? This Shmuz introduces us to one of the basic life outlooks necessary for a person to reach his potential. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected