Inner Judaism

In this episode we'll explore what it means to know our true selves. Who are we, really? What clues are there in the Shema to help us answer this question?

Sacrifices? Offerings? We're so far from being able to relate to biblical times when that was the medium of connection to the Divine. Listen to this podcast for a way to understand what all this meant back then, and what it means for you now.

In this episode we'll explore the very idea of Hope in Judaism. My hope is to open your heart and offer you a different way of thinking about this emotion. What does it mean for you, for us as a people, especially at this time of year during Chanukah and the upcoming start of a New secular year.  

This poem inspired me and I hope it does the same for you!

We're into just the second portion of the Torah with Noah. For those of us remembering days in Hebrew School, this is the story of the Flood, events that led up to it, and Noah's instructions from God to build an ark for his family and many animals. In this episode, we'll delve into what we know about Noah. Why was he chosen? Many of our sages say that compared to someone like Abraham, for example, Noah falls short. I'll come to Noah's defense in this episode!

At this time of year, the changing of the seasons prompts us to think about our own changes. A word that is used quite often in that process of inner change is TESHUVA. But what does that really mean? Join me in this episode and we'll explore this.

We readily recognize that any endeavor we're involved in should be evaluated at certain points in time. So why don't we do this for ourselves? This episode will provide you with some tools.

In this I share some inspirational teachings that have been meaningful to me over time. So, I decided that an episode just devoted to my sharing these thoughts with you would be worthy.

In these tumultuous times, many of our foundational beliefs have been uprooted and overturned. We are living it, so we know it. But what does this mean in the context of Judaism? What should we make of the fact that truth, a core value in Judaism is no longer part of our experience? Please tune in to listen.

This episode focuses on the anger you might experience from others…either directed at you, or that you might be observing, and your responses to it. I will share a story that will be enlightening and will teach us how we might respond to anger. Won't you join me?

Why is there so much counting in Judaism? We just completed the Passover holiday when we counted cups of wine, questions, types of questioners, plagues and miracles!! Now, we're in a period of counting again….the Omer. What does it all mean to you? In this episode, we'll explore a deeper meaning of this period of counting.

We live in a tangible and physical world, and often the very nature of our lives prevents us from connecting with the spiritual. How can we move past our rational minds to live with a greater reality? We'll explore that in this episode.

What have been some of the turning points in your life? Can you put yourself in that place or time when you were faced with a decision that instinctively you knew had consequences for the path your life would take? In this episode, we'll explore its meaning and how it relates to your own soul.

What have been some of the turning points in your life? Can you put yourself in that place or time when you were faced with a decision that instinctively you knew had consequences for the path your life would take? In this episode, we'll explore some of the meaning of that through the lens of Judaism and an ancient tradition known as Mussar. Not to worry, you don't need to know about Mussar or Judaism to benefit from listening. If you want to explore additional topics, I write my blog Inner Judaism which is on Substack.com .

In this episode I'll explore with you the deeper meaning of what Am Yisrael means, and in particular the name Israel.   For more content, visit my blog on Substack (Inner Judaism).

Join me as we explore why the movement known as Mussar is perfect for our times and the deep spiritual messages it holds for us today. To read more, you can visit my blog on Substack, here.

As Jews, we are experiencing some of the most difficult times in history. The level of hatred against our people is shocking. What spiritual teachings that will have meaning in this time? We can look to our tradition for insight, because the experience of living in times of hate has been encountered many, many times before. Please listen and respond with any comments to innerjudaism@gmail.com

You might be surprised to learn there is no word that exactly means Faith in the Hebrew Bible. But, how can that be? Isn't the Torah about our relationship with God, our belief in God? In this episode we'll explore the Jewish concept of faith, beginning with learning the word in Hebrew, Emunah, and what it actually means.

In Judaism, the very notion of TIME is sacred. That in itself is amazing. How and why does Judaism place such an important value on the passage of time? We'll scrape a bit of the surface of this idea in this episode, and I hope you'll join me.

How can we become our best selves? That's what we're asked to focus on in this season of self-reflection. We'll explore the process of learning about ourselves from a Jewish perspective. Please send me your comments, I'd love to hear from you: innerjudaism@gmail.com

The Hebrew month of Elul, is a time of introspection before the High Holidays. But what does that really mean? How are we to think about this? In this episode, I hope to reframe your thinking about what this process truly means for your life. I'd love to hear any comments or questions you have. Please write me at innerjudaism@gmail.com

In this episode, we'll explore Names and Naming which in the Jewish tradition, has a lot of significance beginning with Adam in the Bible. We'll go into some depth about the Hebrew meaning of the name Adam and its spiritual meaning...and what this all might mean for you. I hope you'll join me. Please connect with me at ruthschapira@innerjudaism.com -- I'd love to hear from you.

In this episode, we'll explore the notion of TRUTH, which is a huge concept, to be sure, but we'll just examine one small aspect of the idea of truth, a little bit about what it meant for our sages and what it might mean for you in your own life.

In this episode, we'll explore the character trait known as Gevurah in Hebrew, which means strength. We'll learn the deeper, spiritual meaning of the word and how you can cultivate resilience and self-discipline when facing challenges.

In this episode we'll explore the unique meaning of Awareness, and what implications that has for our spiritual lives. I'm extremely grateful that Inner Judaism podcast is featured amont the Top 60 Jewish podcasts! Please subscribe and share to bring these teachings to more people, thank you!

Mussar has a specific definition of the character trait of Patience. Listen to this episode which explains a meaning you might not realize. If you're intrigued about the practice of Mussar, check out more information at InnerJudaism.com

In this episode of the Inner Judaism podcast you'll experience a guided visualization for how miracles surround us every day….but often go unnoticed. I hope that by the end of this podcast, you will have experienced a deeper connection with the spiritual side of Judaism. I appreciate your comments! Please email me at ruthschapira@innerjudaism.com

In what ways is the Torah relevant for me personally? How can an ancient text, with material that I sometimes can't relate to, speak to me today? Listen to this episode for a different way to think about the messages the Torah has for us, on a weekly basis.

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In this podcast, we'll be exploring love from a Jewish perspective. I hope that I will be able to share some teachings with you that will give you a new way of thinking about the complicated subject of Love and God. To read more about the spirituality of Judaism, check out Inner Judaism's blog here. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

In this podcast, we'll be exploring a difficult subject…the messy part of life. I hope I will be able to give you a different way of thinking, of how to bless the broken in our lives, which at times is a huge challenge. You can read my blog on Inner Judaism and subscribe to my spiritual newsletter, "Inner Focus". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

Does God need our blessing? Blessings begin by us saying: Blessed are you Lord, Our God, King of the Universe…. But wait a second…are we really blessing GOD?? You are invited to discover the true nature of blessings in this episode by Inner Judaism --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

This episode will give you a new way of thinking about something we do everyday...every one of us....every single day. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and relax with me a bit as we explore the news ways that our techno-centric society has changed our very definition of the word WORD. Visit www.innerjudaism.com to subscribe to Inner Focus, an uplifting spiritual newsletter. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

Why is Praying to God Sometimes So Hard? It's difficult to muster up the emotional content you need to develop a relationship with God when you connect only a few times a year. This podcast will encourage you to begin that relationship. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

Along with our ancestors, we leave a narrow place in search of a spiritual home. Join me to experience the wilderness, the Midbar and what it might mean for you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

In this podcast, I'll offer you a few thought experiments to make you think a bit more of your everyday experiences a little differently. Our imaginations can take us to far away places. Please tell me about your everyday experiences with life's mysteries at www.innerjudaism.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

We live in a comparative culture, which tends to breed envy. We all feel it at times, sometimes by just a tinge of a feeling of want, of envy. This meditation will delve into Mussar, an ancient Jewish spiritual practice, by exploring the character trait of Envy ---in Hebrew, Kin'ah. This meditation will offer you a visualization of an encounter and a different way to respond to envy. To subscribe to Inner Focus, a motivational spiritual newsletter, subscribe here: www.innerjudaism.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

Why is gratitude considered a foundational spiritual practice? How does understanding the Hebrew meaning of the word explain this? Listen to the podcast to learn more about the real Hebrew meaning of gratitude. Visit www.innerjudaism.com to learn more about Ruth Schapira and Inner Judaism. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

What does Judaism have to say about speech? A lot it turns out. In this episode we'll focus on just one idea, from thousands of years ago....and along the way, you'll learn more about yourself. For a sourcesheet on this episode, contact me at www.InnerJudaism.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

How can we begin to understand what it means to Trust in God? To trust in the One of All Being? We can begin by recognizing the trait of trust that we already experience...every single day. We can cultivate our 'mental muscle' to help us gain an ability to have Trust. With this podcast, you will have the ability to experience the character trait of Trust, of Bitachon (Hebrew). If you were moved by this podcast, please share your experience with me or any feedback at ruthschapira@innerjudaism.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

Take a few minutes to appreciate that your very life---your breath---is a gift! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

How do we bring a sacred quality into our day-to-day interactions? It's not as complicated as you might think. Listen to find out. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

How tolerant are we of our own mistakes? Can we forgive ourselves when we inevitably screw up? What does Jewish tradition say about making mistakes? Listen to this podcast from Inner Judaism to learn more. Visit www.innerjudaism.com for more about the inner life of Judaism. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

This Inner Judaism podcast discusses the big question of life: Why are you here? What does the Zohar, mystical Jewish writings, say about the purpose of creation? Join me to think about what all this means for you. You can visit InnerJudaism.com to comment or subscribe to Inner Focus, a spiritual newsletter. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

I had to deal with being repulsed by the title of Dara Horn's new book before I could bring myself to read it. But now that I have, you have to read it too. Find out why. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message

The month of Elul, before Rosh Hashanah, is a time for introspection. It's a time that our tradition tells us God is close to us. What does that mean and how might we respond? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innerjudaism/message