Judaism From Within

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Rav Hirsch's insights in to Judaism, on the weekly parsha and other Torah based subjects. Short, inspiring and bound to add a depth to your everyday life.

Simcha Lerner


    • May 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 10m AVG DURATION
    • 222 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Judaism From Within

    Mitzvah #75 – תלמוד תורה - Learning as Calling (Rav Hirsch Horeb )

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 11:55


    Mitzvah #75 – תלמוד תורה Learning as Calling in Rav Hirsch's Horeb Exploring Rav Hirsch's vision of study as transformation and mission.

    Mitzvah #74 – מפני שיבה תקום Age, Wisdom & Virtue: AI and the Illusion of Insight

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 12:07


    Mitzvah #74 – מפני שיבה תקום Age, Wisdom & Virtue: AI and the Illusion of Insight How do we honor the ripened wisdom of age in an age of instant answers? This episode explores the mitzvah of “מפני שיבה תקום” through the lens of Rav Hirsch and the digital age—contrasting earned maturity with artificial knowledge. As AI offers the illusion of depth without the work of becoming, we reflect on what it means to truly grow into virtue, not just simulate it.

    Mitzvah #73 - כבוד אב ואם - Honor Thy Father and Mother: A Bridge to Transcendence

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 9:42


    Mitzvah #73 - כבוד אב ואם - Honor Thy Father and Mother: A Bridge to Transcendence In Gratitude to My Own Parents, Who Showed Me the Path   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch on the rational of Jewish law  

    Mitzvah #72 - Mitzvah as Love: The Jewish Religious Consciousness in Action

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 11:13


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Mitzvah as Love: The Jewish Religious Consciousness in Action Mitzvah is more than obligation—it is love made real. In this episode, we explore how Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch sees mitzvah as the embodied expression of divine love, shaping not just our actions but our very consciousness. What does it mean to approach God through mitzvot? And how does this uniquely Jewish religious consciousness redefine love itself? 

    Mitzvah #71 -  Following The Many - The Heuristics of Experience, Law and Faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 11:26


    Mitzvah #71 -  Following The Many - The Heuristics of Experience, Law and Faith 

    Mitzvah #70 - Speech, Oaths & Vowels - The Quintessential Chuk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 9:51


    Rav Hirsch's insight into vowels reveals a profound truth about the power of speech—the very tool that can create, uplift,can destroy. In this episode, we explore how language embodies both the highest potential for good and the gravest danger for harm. Why is speech the ultimate Chuk? And what does this teach us about our responsibility in wielding words?

    Mitzvah #69 - צניעות Modesty: The Master & Its Emissary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 15:13


    In this episode, we explore Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch's profound insights on modesty, framed through the metaphor of the soul as the master and the body as the emissary. Drawing inspiration from Iain McGilchrist's concept, we delve into how Rav Hirsch envisions the harmonious relationship between soul and body, each knowing its role in living out a life of Mission.

    Mitzvah #68 - מאכלים אסורים Part 3 - Eating with Intent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 14:08


    Mitzvah #68 - מאכלים אסורים Part 3 - Eating with Intent The Symbolic Depth of Kashrut Why does the Torah allow us to eat some animals but not others? Based on Rav Hirsch's teachings, this episode looks at how Kashrut shapes our mindset, encouraging mindfulness and spiritual awareness. We'll also explore the risks of living a life driven by materialism or determinism and how Kashrut helps us live with greater intention and purpose.

    Mitzvah #68 - מאכלים אסורים Part 2 - Shechita Intentional Action and Reflection

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 12:56


    Mitzvah #68 - Shechita Intentional Action and Reflection Explore Rav Hirsch's teachings on shechita, the Jewish method of slaughter, as a practice that demands intentionality and reflection. By confronting the act of taking life, shechita compels us to recognize the distinct nature of the human being and our unique role in the world. Join us as we uncover how this mitzvah transforms a physical act into a profound spiritual and ethical lesson, bridging the realms of halacha, philosophy, and personal growth.

    Mitzvah #68 - מאכלים אסורים -The Symbolic and Spiritual Meaning of Forbidden Food - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 12:55


    Join us as we delve into Rav Hirsch's profound insights on ma'akhalei asurim—forbidden foods in Judaism, uncovering layers of meaning that extend beyond the table. In this episode, we also offer a recap of Rav Hirsch's unique halachic and symbolic approach, bridging law and philosophy in a way that transforms our understanding of everyday practices.

    Rosh Hashanah: Awakening to the Call of Renewal

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 13:10


    As we approach the High Holidays, many grapple with the underlying significance of this time. I'd like to explore some of the common struggles people face and share Rav Hirsch's powerful perspective on the shofar that deeply resonated with me. ( it was recoded a few years ago but still very on point)

    Mitzvah #67: הרחקה מעריות - Guardians of the Mind: Mastering the Imagination & Fulfilling Your Noble Mission

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 17:40


    Mitzvah #67: הרחקה מעריות - Guardians of the Mind: Mastering the Imagination & Fulfilling Your Noble Mission Rav Hirsch On  שמירת עיניים & Cultivating Active Engagement in The World, His Perspective on Imagination, Parenting, and Personal Responsibility

    Mitzvah #66: ערוה - Boundaries The Structure and Depth of Intimacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 13:28


    Mitzvah #66: ערוה - Boundaries The Structure and Depth of Intimacy   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism   Rabbi Simi Lerner

    Mitzvah #65: זנות - Foundations Of a Sexual Ethic

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 11:20


    Mitzvah #65: זנות - Foundations Of a Sexual Ethic     Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism   Rabbi Simi Lerner

    Mitzvah #64: פאת ראשכם - Cutting Hair & Beard - The Spiritual Significance of Hair & Male Modesty Rav Hirsch On Jewish Law

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 15:14


    Mitzvah #64: פאת ראשכם - Cutting Hair & Beard - The Spiritual Significance of Hair & Male Modesty      Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism   Rabbi Simi Lerner

    Mitzvah #63 - שרט - Scars and Symbols - Reflecting On Self Harm - Rav Hirsch On Jewish Law

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 13:59


    Mitzvah #63 - שרט - Scars and Symbols: - Reflecting On Self Harm     Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism   Rabbi Simi Lerner

    Mitzvah #62 - מצוות שמירת נפש - Navigating The Question Of Suicide

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 12:15


    Mitzvah #62 - מצוות שמירת נפש - Navigating The Question Of Suicide   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism   Rabbi Simi Lerner

    Mitzvah #61 - קבורה Burial Of Dead - Fatalism & Responsibility

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2024 12:41


    ----more----Mitzvah #61 - קבורה Burial Of Dead - Fatalism & Responsibility Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism   Rabbi Simi Lerner

    Mitzvah #60 - צער בעלי חיים Suffering Of Animals - Animal Rights & Man's Responsibility

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 12:51


    Mitzvah #60 - צער בעלי חיים  Suffering Of Animals - Animal Rights & Man's Responsibility   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #59 - אתו ואת־בנו - Mother & Child - Centrality Of Love in Relation With God

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 9:45


    Mitzvah #59 - אתו ואת־בנו - Mother & Child - Centrality Of Love in Relation With God   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #58 - שילוח הקן Sending Away The Mother Bird - Social Responsibility & The Value Of Gender Roles

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 12:49


    Mitzvah #58  - שילוח הקן Sending Away The Mother Bird - Social Responsibility & The Value Of Gender Roles   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #57 Part 2 - Dairy Dilemma - Milk & Meat Its symbolic & Moral Significance

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 11:05


    Mitzvah #57  Part 2 - Dairy Dilemma - Milk & Meat Its symbolic & Moral Significance   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #57 Significance Of כלים - Part 1 - Its Moral Message

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 12:50


    Mitzvah #57 Significance Of כלים - Part 1 - The Moral Message From Nature   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #56 Don't Destroy בל תשחית - What's Wong With Morden Environmentalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 13:42


    Mitzvah #56 Don't Destroy בל תשחית -  What's Wong With Morden Environmentalism  Destruction Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Chukim - And Why They Have A Rational Principle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2023 10:39


    Chukim - And How They Have A Rational Principle   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #54 Judges Witnesses #55 Cursing - The Parallel Path to Destruction

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 11:14


    Mitzvah #54 Judges Witnesses #55 Cursing - The Parallel Path to Destruction   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #53 Lashon Hara - Beyond Legalities Rediscovering Its Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 14:49


    Mitzvah #53 Lashon Hara - Beyond Legalities Rediscovering Its Spirit   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #52 Abuse - The Physical, Intellectual & Emotional

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 12:12


    Mitzvah #52 Abuse - The Physical, Intellectual & Emotional   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #51 -  Confronting Oppression

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 10:49


    Mitzvah #51 -  Confronting Oppression   (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Mitzvah #50 Falsehood & Lying Part 2 - Hypocrisy & Flattery

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 10:00


    Mitzvah #50  Falsehood & Lying Part 2  - Hypocrisy & Flattery   (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Mitzvah #50 Falsehood & Lying - Crafting Deceptive Realities

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 11:46


    Mitzvah #50  Falsehood & Lying - Crafting Deceptive Realities Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #49 Damages & Duties - Navigating Moral Responsibilities (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 10:21


    Mitzvah #49  Damages & Duties - Navigating Moral Responsibilities (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Mitzvah #48 Quantifying & Enumerating The Pinnacle of Justice (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 8:55


    Mitzvah #48  Quantifying & Enumerating The Pinnacle of Justice (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Mitzvah #47 - To Transfer - Your Word, Break It You Brake You (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 11:00


    Mitzvah #47 - To Transfer - Your Word Break It You Brake You   Horeb Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism

    Mitzvah #46 - To Steal - Treason To The Spirit (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 9:21


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism Mitzvah #46 - To Steal - Treason To The Spirit

    Mitzvha #45 - To Strike Or Kill - The Denial Of Meaning (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Reasons For Laws in Judaism)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 10:46


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism     Mitzvha #45 - To Strike Or Kill - The Denial Of Meaning

    Mitzvah #44 - Justice - Intersection of Love and Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 12:02


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism     Mitzvah #44 - Justice -  Intersection of Love and Justice

    Rav Hirsch's Lens On The Goal Of God's Law - From Edot To Mishpatim

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 11:01


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism     The Goal Of God's Law - Transition from Edot To Mishpatim    

    Mitzvah #43 - Part 2 : Aveilus - Reflection On Where We Come From & Where We All Must Go

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 8:58


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism   Mitzvah #43 - Part 2 : Aveilus - Reflection On Where We Come From & Where We All Must Go

    Mitzvah #43 - Part 1: Aveilus - Emotional Recognition Of Our Humanity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 11:53


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism   Mitzvah #43 - Part 1: Aveilus - Emotional Recognition Of Our Humanity  

    Mitzvah #42 - Part 2: Ma'aser - Holistically Serving G-d

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 10:28


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism   Mitzvah #42 - Part 2: Ma'aser - Holistically Serving G-d

    Rav Hirsch Mitzvah #42 Part 1 CHALLAH - No greater enemy than Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 8:21


    Rav Hirsch Mitzvah #42 Part 1 CHALLAH  - No greater enemy than Success   Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism   

    Rav Hirsch Mitzvah #40 Bechor - Rejection Of Child Ownership

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 12:13


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Reasons For the Laws in Judaism   Mitzvah #40 Bechor - Rejection Of Child Ownership 

    Rav Hirsch Mitzvah #40 Mezuzah - Not Just Another Talisman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 11:32


    Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb Resons For the Laws in Judaism  Mitzvah #39 Tzitzit Part 2 - In limits There Is Freedom

    Mitzvah #39 Tzitzit Part 2 - In limits There Is Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 8:54


    Mitzvah #39 Tzitzit Part 2 - In limits There Is Freedom   Horeb  Hirsch Samson Raphael

    Mitzvah #39 Tzitzit Part 1 - Reality Of Not Living In An Enchanted World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 8:20


    Mitzvah #39 Tzitzit Part 1 - Reality Of Not Living In An Enchanted World Horeb  Hirsch Samson Raphael

    Mitzvah #38 - Tefillin Part 2: The Mind In Service Of the Hand & Meaning of Torah Lishmah

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 10:07


    Mitzvah #39 - Tefillin Part 2: The Mind In Service Of the Hand & Meaning of Torah Lishmah Horeb  Hirsch Samson Raphael

    Mitzvah #38 - Tefillin Part 1: The Symbol Of Integration & Refection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 11:34


    Mitzvah #38 - Tefillin Part 1: The Symbol Of Integration & Refection 

    Mitzvah #37 - Gid Hanasheh : Symbol Of Comic Importance

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 13:09


    Mitzvah #37 - Gid Hanasheh : Symbol Of Comic Importance  The 4 Symbols Of Genesis  1 - Shabbos The Univerals Moral 2 - Ranbow Unvdersal Historic 3 - Mila Particular Moral 4 - & Now Gid Hanasheh Particular Historic

    Mitzvah #36 Brit Milah (Circumcision) - Part 3 Grounding The Spirit In The PERIA & MILAH

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 10:10


    Horeb Rabbi Samson Hirsch's brilliant exploration of the philosophy underlying the details of practical religious observances. Mitzvah #36 Brit Milah (Circumcision) - Part 3 Grounding The Spirit In The PERIA & MILAH    

    Mitzvah #36 Brit Milah (Circumcision) - Part 2 Philosophical Underpinning & Its Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 9:50


      Horeb Rabbi Samson Hirsch's brilliant exploration of the philosophy underlying the details of practical religious observances.  Mitzvah #36 Brit Milah (Circumcision) - Part 2 Philosophical Underpinning & Its Spirit  

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