Podcasts about smicha

Send a textSelf-Mastery in Real Life: Regulation, Trust, and the Shift from Control to ConnectionIn this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast with Rivkah and Eda, we sit down with Velvel & Chyena Friedman for a powerful conversation on what real success looks like when it's built on faith, family, and unshakable values. Velvel shares his unconventional journey—from a full-time yeshiva education and Rabbinical ordination to scoring a perfect 180 on the LSAT and stepping into high-stakes litigation—plus how Torah learning shaped his mindset, discipline, and clarity. Chyena opens up about the dignity and joy she finds in being the foundation of the home, and how the right partnership can elevate every area of life. Together, we discuss Shabbos as a “forced gift” of rest, navigating pressure without losing priorities, staying professional with strong boundaries, and why in marriage you're not meant to argue to win—you're meant to build a life as one team. What makes this conversation so powerful is that it's not just about success—it's about what success is built on. Throughout the episode, Velvel and Chyena show what it looks like to be led by a guiding principle, even when life is demanding. The episode closes with their mantra, “Ein od milvado”—a grounding reminder that everything is in Hashem's hands. No matter what season you're in, you'll walk away with something practical, uplifting, and real.EPISODE SPONSORSYAKIRA BELLAYakira Bella is the go-to for trendy, modest women's fashion that still feels current—think playful-but-polished pieces, elevated basics, and outfits that actually work for real life (day-to-day, Shabbos, events, everything in between). Their collections balance tasteful + bold, with a steady stream of new arrivals and best sellers so you can refresh your wardrobe without overthinking it. If you're looking for modestwear that's stylish, wearable, and affordable, Yakira Bella is absolutely worth checking out.  Visit https://yakirabella.com/ and follow along at https://www.instagram.com/yakirabellaofficial/ GUEST BIOVelvel FreedmanVelvel Freedman is a high-stakes litigator and partner at Freedman Normand Friedland LLP. Raised in a secular-turned-observant home in West Palm Beach, he attended yeshiva and earned smicha before attending Columbia Law School. He credits years of Gemara study with sharpening his discipline, analytical rigor, and “zitsfleish”—the ability to sit, focus, and do the work—qualities he now brings to complex commercial disputes and high-pressure courtroom advocacy.Chyena FreedmanChyena Freedman brings a values-first lens to marriage, family life, and what success really means. With warmth and clarity, she shares how she and Velvel build a strong home culture, stay aligned on priorities, and keep faith at the center—even in the midst of a demanding career and a full family lifeCHAPTERS00:00 Smicha to Columbia: Velvel's Unlikely Path01:22 Meet Velvel & Chyena: Redefining “Success”10:43 Baal Teshuva Roots + Becoming “Velvel”16:47 Torah Mind COMMUNITYJoin the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

Creative RabbiBoth Michelle and Rabbi Yitzi discuss how their passions have empowered them in their careers, with a focus on teaching, uplifting others, and creative expression.Balancing ValuesRabbi Yitzi talks about the Jewish tradition of asking questions and balancing competing values, drawing parallels to the story of "Fiddler on the Roof."SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Michelle Zeitlin interviews Yitzi Wiener, a rabbi and media entrepreneur, exploring his journey from aspiring architect to rabbi, and now to a media figure. They discuss the importance of teaching, storytelling, and the role of questions in learning. Yitzi shares insights on journalism, the impact of current events on personal health, and the dynamics of family life. The conversation culminates in a reflection on passion and purpose, emphasizing the importance of uplifting others through meaningful work.TakeawaysYitzi's journey from aspiring architect to rabbi was driven by a desire to help others.The role of questions in Judaism encourages deeper thinking and engagement.Storytelling is a powerful tool for learning and sharing experiences.Yitzi aims to create uplifting content through his media ventures.The importance of focusing on commonalities rather than divisions in society.Navigating the challenges of journalism in a polarized world is crucial.Personal reflections on current events highlight the emotional toll of global issues.Family dynamics change as children grow and learn to support each other.Passion for teaching and uplifting others is central to Yitzi's mission.Finding purpose in one's passions can lead to a fulfilling life."A question makes you think."Turning the Tables: Yitzi Wiener's JourneyBecoming a Rabbi: The Path to Smicha (or Semicha) Teaching and Media: Bridging Two WorldsAuthority Magazine: A New Kind of JournalismThe Importance of Questions in JudaismStories as a Learning ToolThe Role of Journalism in Today's SocietyCreative Writing and Community EngagementNavigating Current Events and Jewish IdentityReflection and GoalsMichelle Zeitlin reflects on the past year and discusses her excitement about the interview with Rabbi Yitzi Weiner, highlighting the importance of reflection, goal setting, and learning from experiences in the arts and entertainment industry.Rabbi Yitzi Weiner's JourneyRabbi Yitzi shares his journey to becoming a rabbi, emphasizing the extensive learning required and his focus on teaching Torah to help others live a refined life.Authority MagazineRabbi Yitzi discusses the founding of Authority Magazine, aiming to provide empowering and nourishing stories, contrasting with the often negative and addictive nature of traditional news.Importance of StoriesThe conversation highlights the power of stories in teaching and learning, with Rabbi Yitzi emphasizing that stories are a fundamental way humans learn and connect across generations.

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Rabbi Yoseph Vigler was born in Cape Town, South Africa and raised in Springs, a small shtetl an hour from Johannesburg. After studying in yeshiva at Ateres Yisroel in Bayit Vegan, Kfar Chabad, Kollel in New York and in Melbourne Australia. Rabbi Vigler received Smicha from the Chief Rabbinate in Eretz Yisroel and Shimush L'Rabbonus in various areas of Halacha. Rabbi Vigler is a proud father of ten children K”ah and is passionate about disseminating the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and his students and spreading Ahavas Yisroel.   Help My Extended Family Here  

Shabbos comes about once a week, so if a person is not well-versed in its intricacies, then it is inevitable that transgressions will take place.  Here is a solution!  KinyanHilchosShabbos.com⁠ World famous Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav HaGaon Yitzchak Berkovits shlit'a used his vast knowledge to arrange all the Gemaras with the commentators on each area of Hilchos Shabbos and presented it in the form of source sheets that cover material from the Gemara until practical halacha.  This enables one to cover main opinions in each topic and gain a deep understanding of the halacha.   Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen, a close talmid of Rav Berkovits who spent eight years as a Rosh Chaburah in Rav Berkovits's famous Jerusalem Kollel, with the Rav's haskama, took on the monumental task of adapting the Hebrew sheets into English. The material is written with care and with great clarity, as well as including the various opinions in the contemporary practical halacha. For the past several years, Rabbi Gefen has been teaching this material to Torah learners throughout the world, on all levels of learning, and of all ages now as the founder of KinyanHilchosShabbos.com. Participants in each online chabura receive source sheets with explanations both in Hebrew and English, participate in a weekly Zoom shiur and ask questions by phone and email. Many have also successfully gained Smicha through thoroughly learning the material. The program includes a weekly Zoom shiur which is recorded and can be reviewed later, tests on the material covered to enable the individual to evaluate their understanding of the material, and availability by email or phone for questions, clarifications, or further discussions. The program includes the option of Smicha which is a wonderful source of pride for the individual's family.  But its greatest benefit is that it will ensure that a person can lead his family to observing the laws of Shabbos with all their details.  For more information, tuition, and to receive an application visit KinyanHilchosShabbos.com.

Right about now, you might be wondering why we have to eat flat bread. Right about now, you might be frustrated with the long dinners with the even longer stories. Right about now, you might be bored out of your mind as there is CLEARLY no meaning to these new restrictions. Don't worry. We'll explain everything. Chaz Volk, the new Chief Marketing Officer of Aish Los Angeles and host of Bad Jew, interviews his boss, Executive Director Rabbi Aryeh Markman. Markman goes beyond the elementary-level Hebrew school class on Passover and explains the real meaning of Passover and how this tradition started not too long ago. 00:00 Introduction with my boss 04:30 Embracing tradition 09:05 3,000 years is not that long 11:54 Jewish culture and success tied to Torah 13:16 Challenging perceptions of ancient Passover story validity 18:25 Ego 21:41 Freedom and reflection 25:13 Pesach on the hebrew calendar 27:50 Modern Day Antisemitism 30:05 Conclusion About Rabbi Aryeh Markman: Rabbi Aryeh Markman has been the dedicated Executive Director of Aish HaTorah Los Angeles since 1994. Rabbi Markman attended the university of Illinois, graduating with a Distinction in Finance. He then visited Israel, where he was introduced to Rabbi Noach Weinberg and Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. Turning down MBA school offers from University of Chicago, and Northwestern University, he continued to pursue Talmudic study, and received Smicha from Rabbi Noach Weinberg. Rabbi Markman and his wife Rochel then moved to Los Angeles in 1991, and are the proud parents of 7 children. Connect with Rabbi Aryeh Markman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryehmarkman/ IG and Facebook: Jewish Men's Initiative LA Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod TikTok @BadJewPod