Podcasts about teshuvah

A man told me that his wife had been a little negligent about something he had asked her to do multiple times. Unfortunately, as a result, their children were placed in a potentially dangerous situation. Baruch Hashem, everything worked out in the end, but he was extremely upset. He felt his wife had put their children in danger unnecessarily, and he had every reason to be shaken. Later that same day, while at home, he decided to learn a bit. The only sefer easily available was an ArtScroll volume of Masechet Shabbat. He randomly opened it to daf 32 ( ל״ב ), where the Gemara discusses how serious it is to place oneself in a dangerous situation. Reading it made him feel validated in how upset he was with his wife. But then, just a few lines later, he read something that shook him to the core: the Gemara says that someone who neglects learning Torah causes danger to their children. He read the line again and again. Suddenly, it hit him — he himself had been negligent in learning. He had never truly committed to a regular seder, always coming up with excuses, telling himself it wasn't realistic right now. And then he remembered something else. Just the day before, he had randomly chosen to listen to a shiur from a rabbi he had never heard before — a class recorded over ten years ago, out of thousands he could have selected. It was on the topic of Elul and Teshuvah, even though we're now in the month of Av. And incredibly, that rabbi spoke directly to the exact excuse this man had been telling himself for years. The rabbi explained why that excuse doesn't hold up, and how important it is for every Jew to carve out time to learn — even in a busy life. Now, in the span of 24 hours, Hashem had sent him three clear messages: His wife's mistake led to a danger that got him very worked up. The Gemara he "happened" to open addressed his exact situation showing him he was more guilty than his wife. The shiur he "randomly" chose directly called out his long-held excuse. He said, "I couldn't believe the hashgachah pratit. It was all connected. Hashem was clearly sending me a message, and this time, I didn't want to miss it." He picked up the phone, called his rabbi, and said, "It's time. Please help me start a serious learning schedule." Hashem speaks to us in different ways, at different moments. But it's up to us to open our hearts and pay attention to the message. Another man shared with me that from the time he graduated high school until the age of 35, he didn't put on Tefillin even once. He had drifted far from the path he was capable of being on. He loved his children dearly and would do anything for them. One day, his wife gently said, "Would you mind putting on Tefillin just for a few minutes each day — not for yourself, but so the kids can see their father wearing Tefillin?" That comment hit him like a ton of bricks. He realized how far he had gone — so far that his wife had to ask him to put on Tefillin, not even for Hashem, not even for himself, but just as an example for the kids. The very next day, he put on his Tefillin. He said he felt something special — something he hadn't felt in years. Slowly, one small step at a time, he began to come back. He started attending shul. He began learning Torah. Today, that same man has children learning full time, and he himself is growing stronger and stronger in his Avodat Hashem every single day. He is grateful beyond words for that moment that woke him up — that small comment that sparked something great. Every person is given opportunities for inspiration. Some are subtle, some are loud. Hashem wants all of His children close to Him, and He lovingly sends each one the exact kind of message they need. But it's our decision whether or not we act on it. We are getting closer and closer to the time of Yemei HaMashiach, when Hashem will fully reveal Himself to the world. Then, the tests we face now — the quiet, hidden tests of Emunah and consistency — will no longer exist. There will be no more confusion, no more doubt. But also, no more chance to grow through struggle. Now is the time. Now is the chance to grow in Torah, to grow in mitzvot, to become the people we are meant to become. Let's take the messages from Hashem and let them move us forward. Even one step today can change our entire life. And that one step can affect generations.

Devarim: Teshuvah "Before Hashem" by Rabbi Avi Harari

The Rebbe prays for the writer's recovery and encourages him to strengthen his efforts in spreading Chassidus, even in Jerusalem. He explains that light and love—especially through learning Chassidus—transform darkness and bring redemption closer. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/004_igros_kodesh/sivan/1037

The Rebbe advises seeking public forgiveness for mourning-related issues and checking tefillin and mezuzos. He explains that prophecy among non-Jews is possible when one is fully nullified, citing Rambam and Torah Or. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/015/011/5596

Chag Hageulah - Yud-Gimmel Tammuz (24:19)

The foundation of Teshuvah.Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1051AmiojXJH3pI6z_QFPIkCnQB2syIp-/view?usp=share_link

CHUKASWhy So Harsh?In the Torah Reading of Chukat, Moshe and Aron are punished that they will not enter the land Israel. Their sin, hitting the rock to give water to the Jewish people. Why so harsh, everyone else can do Teshuvah, repentance, why were Moshe and Aharon not afforded the same opportunity?Why was G-d insistent that Moshe not enter the land of Israel?

Teshuvah seems to require both that we transform ourselves into someone new and that we return to who we once were and really are. Looking to a range of classical and modern rabbinic texts, we'll explore this tension and the ways in which genuine and effectively transformative teshuva requires embracing who we've been and who we are in the present. We'll consider these questions with respect to individuals, communities, and the human world at large.

In this 3-part course, we will explore key ideas about teshuvah, repentance, in Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik's theology. Taking his lectures in On Repentance as our jumping off point, we will weave them together with texts from across his writings to see the full picture of his ideas. Class 1: Be Your Own Messiah: Teshuvah as Self-Creation and Self-Redemption Teshuvah = Freedom. But how? And why? This enigmatic equation sets Rav Soloveitchik off on a journey, from the classic texts of the Rambam to modern conceptions of time and the self. Rejecting forms of teshuvah based on feeling bad about the past, he describes a model of teshuvah that is future-oriented and activist in nature. Teshuvah, Rav Soloveitchik argues, is key to freeing ourselves from a deterministic, deadening sense of time, and opening up revolutionary new possibilities in our lives. Class 2: Waking Up from Modernity: Teshuvah as Self-Awareness and Realism How do we realize that we need to do teshuvah? How do we realize we need to change without yet having changed? For Rav Soloveitchik, this problem lies at the heart of what it means to be a Jew in the modern era. Modernity has brought many blessings on both the Jews and the world as a whole, but it has also brought on numerous catastrophes. In this class, we will see how the problem of “waking up” from our routine ways of thinking about ourselves and the world—being self-critical and realistic—is key to avoiding the sins and idolatries inherent to human potential. Class 3: Spiritual Exile and Political Redemption: Teshuvah Beyond the Individual Teshuvah is often thought of as a spiritual endeavor of the individual Jew. There is another form of teshuvah, however: the teshuvah of the collective. Starting from the laws of communal sacrifices which atone for communal sin, Rav Soloveitchik depicts sin, exile, and redemption as a historical drama culminating in but—not exhausted by—a Jewish state. Imagining the Jewish people as a single being—an organic whole—he says that teshuvah must go beyond the actions of individuals and be realized in the life of the nation. On the national level, sin alienates us from our national self and leads to exile from the land, and redemption will mean returning to ourselves and to our land. This means a return to Jewish sovereignty, but also to a critical distance from it: sovereignty can never become all of what it means to be Jewish.

In this 3-part course, we will explore key ideas about teshuvah, repentance, in Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik's theology. Taking his lectures in On Repentance as our jumping off point, we will weave them together with texts from across his writings to see the full picture of his ideas. Class 1: Be Your Own Messiah: Teshuvah as Self-Creation and Self-Redemption Teshuvah = Freedom. But how? And why? This enigmatic equation sets Rav Soloveitchik off on a journey, from the classic texts of the Rambam to modern conceptions of time and the self. Rejecting forms of teshuvah based on feeling bad about the past, he describes a model of teshuvah that is future-oriented and activist in nature. Teshuvah, Rav Soloveitchik argues, is key to freeing ourselves from a deterministic, deadening sense of time, and opening up revolutionary new possibilities in our lives. Class 2: Waking Up from Modernity: Teshuvah as Self-Awareness and Realism How do we realize that we need to do teshuvah? How do we realize we need to change without yet having changed? For Rav Soloveitchik, this problem lies at the heart of what it means to be a Jew in the modern era. Modernity has brought many blessings on both the Jews and the world as a whole, but it has also brought on numerous catastrophes. In this class, we will see how the problem of “waking up” from our routine ways of thinking about ourselves and the world—being self-critical and realistic—is key to avoiding the sins and idolatries inherent to human potential. Class 3: Spiritual Exile and Political Redemption: Teshuvah Beyond the Individual Teshuvah is often thought of as a spiritual endeavor of the individual Jew. There is another form of teshuvah, however: the teshuvah of the collective. Starting from the laws of communal sacrifices which atone for communal sin, Rav Soloveitchik depicts sin, exile, and redemption as a historical drama culminating in but—not exhausted by—a Jewish state. Imagining the Jewish people as a single being—an organic whole—he says that teshuvah must go beyond the actions of individuals and be realized in the life of the nation. On the national level, sin alienates us from our national self and leads to exile from the land, and redemption will mean returning to ourselves and to our land. This means a return to Jewish sovereignty, but also to a critical distance from it: sovereignty can never become all of what it means to be Jewish.

In this 3-part course, we will explore key ideas about teshuvah, repentance, in Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik's theology. Taking his lectures in On Repentance as our jumping off point, we will weave them together with texts from across his writings to see the full picture of his ideas. Class 1: Be Your Own Messiah: Teshuvah as Self-Creation and Self-Redemption Teshuvah = Freedom. But how? And why? This enigmatic equation sets Rav Soloveitchik off on a journey, from the classic texts of the Rambam to modern conceptions of time and the self. Rejecting forms of teshuvah based on feeling bad about the past, he describes a model of teshuvah that is future-oriented and activist in nature. Teshuvah, Rav Soloveitchik argues, is key to freeing ourselves from a deterministic, deadening sense of time, and opening up revolutionary new possibilities in our lives. Class 2: Waking Up from Modernity: Teshuvah as Self-Awareness and Realism How do we realize that we need to do teshuvah? How do we realize we need to change without yet having changed? For Rav Soloveitchik, this problem lies at the heart of what it means to be a Jew in the modern era. Modernity has brought many blessings on both the Jews and the world as a whole, but it has also brought on numerous catastrophes. In this class, we will see how the problem of “waking up” from our routine ways of thinking about ourselves and the world—being self-critical and realistic—is key to avoiding the sins and idolatries inherent to human potential. Class 3: Spiritual Exile and Political Redemption: Teshuvah Beyond the Individual Teshuvah is often thought of as a spiritual endeavor of the individual Jew. There is another form of teshuvah, however: the teshuvah of the collective. Starting from the laws of communal sacrifices which atone for communal sin, Rav Soloveitchik depicts sin, exile, and redemption as a historical drama culminating in but—not exhausted by—a Jewish state. Imagining the Jewish people as a single being—an organic whole—he says that teshuvah must go beyond the actions of individuals and be realized in the life of the nation. On the national level, sin alienates us from our national self and leads to exile from the land, and redemption will mean returning to ourselves and to our land. This means a return to Jewish sovereignty, but also to a critical distance from it: sovereignty can never become all of what it means to be Jewish.

In this class we will examine the key themes in the published Teshuva lectures, both in English and Hebrew, of the late Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, one of the intellectual thought leaders of the Modern-Orthodox world in the last half century. We will look for recurring patterns and concepts, how these themes integrate with R. Lichtenstein's broader world view and some comparisons and contrasts to other thinkers on repentance such as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner.

Teshuvah seems to require both that we transform ourselves into someone new and that we return to who we once were and really are. Looking to a range of classical and modern rabbinic texts, we'll explore this tension and the ways in which genuine and effectively transformative teshuva requires embracing who we've been and who we are in the present. We'll consider these questions with respect to individuals, communities, and the human world at large.

In this class we will examine the key themes in the published Teshuva lectures, both in English and Hebrew, of the late Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, one of the intellectual thought leaders of the Modern-Orthodox world in the last half century. We will look for recurring patterns and concepts, how these themes integrate with R. Lichtenstein's broader world view and some comparisons and contrasts to other thinkers on repentance such as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner.

In this class we will examine the key themes in the published Teshuva lectures, both in English and Hebrew, of the late Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, one of the intellectual thought leaders of the Modern-Orthodox world in the last half century. We will look for recurring patterns and concepts, how these themes integrate with R. Lichtenstein's broader world view and some comparisons and contrasts to other thinkers on repentance such as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner.

In this class we will examine the key themes in the published Teshuva lectures, both in English and Hebrew, of the late Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, one of the intellectual thought leaders of the Modern-Orthodox world in the last half century. We will look for recurring patterns and concepts, how these themes integrate with R. Lichtenstein's broader world view and some comparisons and contrasts to other thinkers on repentance such as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner.

The Rebbe responds to a question about sudden distance in a relationship, explaining that true causes are often spiritual, possibly due to a lapse in modesty. He urges honest self-reflection and sincere teshuvah, which brings healing and success, along with practical steps like giving tzedakah before prayer. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/015/009/5430

Where the Sparks Enter — The Tzadik's Mesirus Nefesh in Tefillah Main Ideas from Likutei Moharan 26This Torah begins with a cryptic Gemara: when a chick dies within its shell, through which point does its soul exit? Rav Nachman reframes this as a metaphor for the tzadik's avodah in tefillah. The tzadik must direct his greatest mesirus nefesh precisely to the areas where foreign thoughts (machshavos zaros) enter during prayer.These “foreign” elements are not distractions to escape, but rather sparks of holiness (nitzotzos) awaiting elevation. The avodah, then, is not about bridging distance from Hashem — chas v'shalom — but about recalibrating perspective and reconnecting each experience to its true source. The tzadik, operating from an elevated vantage point aligned with Hashem's ratzon, is uniquely able to reveal Elokus in the very places where it appears most concealed. This is a function of his alignment with the ultimate context: HaMakom. Additional Expansions and Key ThemesTefillah is not primarily about personal requests; its essence is aligning oneself — and the world — with Hashem's ratzon. Individual bakashos only carry meaning within that larger context.Even misdirected emotions (e.g., love, desire) are not disconnected from Hashem. They are divine energies misapplied. Teshuvah is a reorientation, not a reconnection.Perspective defines reality: everything in creation is rooted in Elokus. What changes is how we see it.The tzadik can descend into concealment without spiritual harm, enabling him to elevate the deepest sparks. His inner purity and orientation keep him above contamination.The shell = tefillah = pre-creation/revelation koach: Just as the chick emerges from the shell, creation unfolds from tefillah. The tzadik, deeply aligned with Hashem's will, activates and channels this pre-creation power on behalf of the world.

During the year there is a set way in which we can grow and improve from one "level" to the next. However, over Pesach Hashem allows us to "skip" levels.

Chassidus Morning Class: This class is the fourth and last in a series on the Maamar (Chassidic discourse) Zos Chukas Hatorah, presented by the Lubavitcher Rebbe at the Farbrengen of Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, Parshas Parah, 23 Adar, 5721, March 11, 19 This text-based class was presented on Monday, 2 Nissan, 5785, March 31, 2025, Parshas Vayikra, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

The Rebbe clarifies that self-harm for profit is forbidden, even if not done in jest, as one's body belongs to Hashem. He explains why neglecting a mitzvah labels one a rasha, adding depth to sources in Tanya and Talmud. He also notes that Mashiach, as king, surpasses Moshe in certain ways, and should head the “Kings” section rather than Moshe. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/004_igros_kodesh/adar/923

Thursday 20 Adar

Tuesday, 18 Adar

Wednesday 19 Adar

Wednesdsay 19 Adar

Tuesday 18 Adar

Tuesday 18 Adar

Tuesday 18 Adar

Monday 17 Adar

Monday 17 Adar

Monday 17 Adar 

Taanis Esther is one of many fasts we keep, but something feels different about it compared to all other fasts. Rabbi Stark dives into the mystery of, and reason for, Taanis Esther.

Join us as we dive into the fascinating story of Rabbi Eliezer and the legendary Tanur Shelachnai, or snake oven, exploring the profound implications of speech and truth in our lives. This episode highlights the power of Rabbi Eliezer's speech, showcasing how he sought to demonstrate the validity of his opinions through miraculous signs, emphasizing the importance of charity, repentance, wealth, and leadership in our discourse. We reflect on the concept of unity among diverse opinions and how true peace is achieved when individuals come together despite their differences. The discussion also touches on the idea that our actions today can impact future generations, particularly through acts of charity. Ultimately, we explore how the pursuit of truth and the unity of purpose can illuminate our paths, drawing connections between the teachings of Rabbi Nachman and the timeless wisdom of tradition.Morning greetings set the stage for a journey into the profound teachings surrounding the concept of 'holy speech' as explored through the lens of the Tanur Shelachnai, or the 'snake oven.' This episode delves into the three divine names—Kel, Elokim, and Yudkei VAV kei—that are intricately connected to the energies we harness to elevate our speech to a level of truthfulness and sanctity. Listeners are taken through a rich tapestry of Jewish thought, where the power of prayer (Tefillah) represented by Kel, the wisdom of Torah embodied in Elokim, and the divine orchestration of relationships marked by Yudkei VAV kei converge to illuminate the essence of truthful communication. The discussion weaves through the concept that every utterance we make can be categorized into four parts of speech: Tzedakah, Teshuvah, Asheris, and Malchus, each representing a distinct category of expression that reveals the depth of our internal and external realities. Through the lens of Rabbi Eliezer's encounters with the Chachamim, the episode emphasizes the importance of unity in diversity, showcasing how even when voices differ, the ultimate truth can shine through when spoken with sincerity and intent.The episode unfolds with a narrative rich in allegory and metaphor, drawing parallels between the ancient practice of pottery and the purity of speech. The Tanur Shelachnai serves as a symbolic representation of the challenges faced in the pursuit of truth, particularly in the context of the halachic debates that ensued between Rabbi Eliezer and the Sages. The metaphorical 'snake' that encircles Rabbi Eliezer alludes to the complexity of truth-seeking within a diverse community, where differing opinions can spiral around a central point without resolution. Listeners gain insight into the spiritual dynamics at play when the walls of the Beis Medrash trembled at Rabbi Eliezer's insistence that the halacha should follow him, underscoring the tension between divine authority and earthly consensus. The commentary culminates in the understanding that while Rabbi Eliezer's mastery of speech was profound, it was the collective agreement and unity among the Chachamim that ultimately aligned with divine will, revealing a greater truth that transcends individual perspectives.A key takeaway from this exploration is the essence of true leadership and the power of speech as a transformative force in both personal and communal contexts. The episode not only emphasizes the intellectual rigor of halachic discourse but also the emotional and spiritual dimensions that accompany it. By connecting the dots between the four essential categories of speech and their respective implications for social and spiritual well-being, the discussion invites listeners to reflect on their own speech and its impact on relationships and community dynamics. The final thoughts resonate with the idea that true purity in speech arises from a place of humility and a commitment to collective truth, encouraging everyone to strive for a deeper understanding of their roles in...

Stuart and Glenn

Rav Asher Weiss' Teshuvah on Lighting Ner Chanukah on a PlaneSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/ten-minute-halacha/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Teshuvah, tefila, and tzedaka are able to take away any harsh decrees. This time of year is the greatest for tefillah. As well, any kind of teshuvah is accepted at this time. And we have to go out of our way to give extra tzedaka. When someone is approached for money or some other type of request, the person may feel like he is being bothered again and quickly wants to dismiss the request. However, we should know when Hashem sends a person a chesed opportunity, it's for his own good. It may not seem that way because it has to be a test. In the end, the giver always gains more than the receiver. A man told, just as he started eating dinner one Thursday evening, there was a knock at the door. He figured it was a collector and kept eating. But as the knocking persisted, he fought himself and he got up to answer the knock. It was the neighbor's child. He was asking if his family could borrow fifty shekels. They often needed to borrow and he was happy to lend them. He went to the shelf on the bottom of the cabinet to get the money from a certain envelope, but the envelope wasn't there. He apologized to the boy saying he didn't have any money at the moment. Then he realized his problem was much bigger than his neighbor's. That envelope had a very large sum of money in it, as well as important documents. He searched high and low for it, and then came to the conclusion that it must have gotten thrown out. He prayed, pledged tzedaka, and then went outside to the garbage bins. He was embarrassed to go through his garbage with so many people walking by. At that moment, Hashem sent him a neighbor who was leaving the building. He told him of his problem and the neighbor said he would help and they would split the embarrassment. At the end of a long and unpleasant experience, Baruch Hashem, he found the envelope with the money and all of the documents. He especially felt a deep sense of hakarat hatov to Hashem, being that the garbage pickup came just 15 minutes later. Hashem sent him the chesed opportunity just in time. And just by getting up to answer the door, he was able to gain so much. Our attitude in giving should always be that we want to give. And if we don't have the ability to give, we should wish that we were able to give. If someone wants to give badly enough, hopefully Hashem will give him the ability to do so. A woman told me that her son was collecting for needy families in need of yeshiva tuition assistance. He asked his family members to contribute. The woman was only able to give him a small sum, but told him that she wished she could give more. That night she said to Hashem, "If You give me the money, I will give it all to help these needy families." Three days later, she saw a friend of hers at a gathering. The friend told her she had some good news. She just sold the pocket book that she had given her to sell. The woman then recalled, she gave her a pocket book to try and sell three years ago. She had assumed that she was never able to sell it and just gave it away to charity. Her friend said, I never lowered the price and just yesterday someone bought it for about a thousand dollars. The woman couldn't believe it. This was found money. She took the money and gave every single dollar to the needy families that her son was collecting for. She told Hashem, if He gives it to her, she would give it away. And she saw so clearly that Hashem was the One who gave her this money. Something that wasn't selling for three years suddenly got sold. When we give, we get. Especially at this time of year, tzedaka has an enormous power.

Discover the transformative power of Teshuvah, or repentance, as we embark on a profound spiritual journey. Join us as we uncover why repentance is revered as one of the most potent forces in Judaism, even surpassing the Torah and Shabbos. Through the mystical ascent of Moshe and the teachings of Rebbe Levi, learn how Teshuvah reaches the throne of honor in the heavens, emphasizing the importance of spiritual reflection, especially during the poignant 10 days of repentance.Embrace the urgency of repentance and maintain a divine connection with God, as we discuss the foundational concepts set before creation, including the Torah, the Garden of Eden, and Gehinnom. By drawing parallels to the legendary tale of Sodom and Gomorrah, we highlight the timeless necessity of living a life filled with holiness and devotion. The episode also delves into the profound impact of recent tragic events around Gaza, reminding us of the critical need to align our lives with divine values and seek forgiveness before it's too late.Overcoming personal hurdles like laziness can pave the way for spiritual and personal growth, and we explore strategies to combat this pervasive trait. With insights from the Mishnah and illustrative parables, learn how to seize opportunities for repentance and change before the unpredictable nature of life takes hold. We discuss the lessons from Bernie Madoff's infamous fraud to illustrate the escalation of minor dishonest actions and stress the importance of early repentance for true spiritual cleanliness. Concluding with a heartfelt prayer for protection and clarity, we wish our listeners a meaningful Yom Kippur, filled with love, kindness, and a future without the need for repentance._____________Recorded in The Torchwood Center - Levin Family Studios (B) in Houston, Texas on October 8, 2024.Released as Podcast on October 10, 2024._____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

והחזירנו בתשובה שלמה לפניך . The mitzvah at hand is teshuvah . Some people have done things that they wish they could be forgiven for, but they don't even know how to start the process. The damage has been done, and teshuvah seems very far away. But the Torah tells us otherwise, לא בשמים היא...כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו . Teshuvah is not far away. It can be accomplished with one's heart and mouth. Hashem is on our side, He wants us to have a full teshuvah . If we are sincere and we start the process, doing whatever we can, Hashem will carry us the rest of the way. A woman related that she was walking into her house the other day and saw a piece of paper lying on her front lawn. She picked it up to discard it, but first looked to see what was written on it. It was a short letter from her nine-year-old granddaughter, and it said, "Dear Jews in Africa, I mistakenly made fun of you. I really feel bad. Now I have a massive stomach ache and I want to get better. Please forgive me." And she signed her name. The woman then asked her granddaughter about this letter. The granddaughter said she didn't know how to get in contact with the Jews in Africa, so she threw the letter out of her window and asked Hashem to get it there. The woman told her granddaughter she happened to know someone who lives in South Africa, and she would get the letter there. When she told this person about the letter, he said he had a meeting scheduled with the chief Rabbi of South Africa, and he would give him the letter. The chief Rabbi read the letter and then sent the granddaughter a letter back saying, "I received your letter to us in Africa. You sound like a very special girl. We know that Hashem loves you, and we love you. No matter how far apart we are, Klal Yisrael are always friends. Shanah Tova , a good sweet year. From the Jews in Africa." The lesson here is clear. This girl had a strong desire to get her letter to Africa, but she didn't know how to, so she did whatever she could, and Hashem did the rest. Although sometimes we may feel completely helpless, we must always remember that results are never in our hands. All we have to do is try, and Hashem produces the results. But being that, efforts are in our hands, we must make them. We have to do what we can. I read a story in the Zichron Torat Moshe bulletin, which took place a few years ago. Rabbi Betzalel Hemich from Lev L'Achim called up Rabbi Yehuda Blumenfeld to ask him if he would be able to teach a boy and help bring him closer to Torah and mitzvot. Rabbi Yehuda Blumenfeld agreed, and every week he took a bus a long way to learn with the boy. Several months later, Rav Yehuda received another phone call from Rav Betzalel asking him if he could attend their annual Melava Malka fundraiser. It was going to take place far from where Rav Yehuda lived, and being that Rav Yehuda wasn't going to be able to donate anything anyway, he declined. Rav Betzalel persisted saying, "Please, we need you there, even for just a half hour." Rav Yehuda finally agreed and attended for the half hour that he said he would. While there, he heard Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin give mind-blowing stories on the mesirut nefesh that Lev L'Achim's teens experience while returning to Torah and mitzvot. A week later, Rav Betzalel called Rav Yehuda and thanked him for getting them their largest donation of the night, over $100,000. Rabbi Yehuda said in disbelief, "I didn't bring in any money, and I didn't ask anyone for money." Rabbi Betzalel explained, "After your half hour visit, you went to your father-in-law's house and ended up telling him some of the hair-raising stories that you had just heard. That week, one of your father-in-law's congregants told him that he inherited several million dollars and was asking advice on where to donate the money to. Because of what he just heard, he suggested Lev L'Achim as one of the recipients, and that's how we got our largest donation from that Melava Malka." Even a person who can't afford to help with any money could be credited with helping an organization receive tens of thousands of dollars. It is not up to us to produce the results, but it is up to us to try.

Living Emunah 2649 Yom Kippur: It's Not Hopeless The pasuk says, דרשו ה' בהימצאו, קראוהו בהיותו קרוב . We are to take advantage of the times that Hashem is closest to us. And right now, on Erev Yom Kippur, He is extremely close. We need to utilize this time to make teshuva and accept upon ourselves to improve our ways. There are people who want to be better, but the environment that they're in is stopping them. There are people who have relatives that have veered from the path, and they would do anything to get them back. To them it seems hopeless, but they must strengthen themselves and recognize that with Hashem nothing is ever hopeless. The Tanah de'Veliyahu teaches us that Hashem yearns for His beloved children to come back to Him more than a woman yearns for her husband to come back from a long journey. Hashem wants our relatives back more than we do. And we can help with our tefilot. A woman related that after her divorce she had to split the time she has with her daughter with her ex-husband. While she was growing in religion at a rapid pace, her ex-husband was going in the opposite direction. It was very confusing to her daughter to go back and forth to these different environments. The woman was so worried about her daughter every time she left the house to go to her father. This year specifically a change happened in scheduling. The daughter was going to go to her father every single Shabbat, while she would be by her mother during the week. The problem was the man doesn't keep Shabbat, and this was causing the woman so much stress and anxiety. He doesn't attend shul. There are no rabbis in the picture who he's connected to. To the woman this situation seemed hopeless. Every day she has a hotline reading the book A Daily Dose of Pesukei Bitachon . And one morning a few days before Rosh Hashanah they were discussing the pasuk which basically means there is nothing stopping Hashem from bringing salvation no matter what the salvation may be. This pasuk gave her so much strength and amazingly that same night she saw with her own eyes how Hashem could bring a yeshuah in the blink of an eye. The community in which her ex-husband lives decided to bring in a speaker from another city to give chizuk for Rosh Hashanah. Her daughter enjoys listening to that speaker very much, so she asked her father if she could go. He didn't want her to go by herself, so he said he would bring her. He went and became very inspired from the class and Bezrat Hashem will continue to grow going forward. The fact that this speaker ended up in that community on that night was an amazing story in itself. Hashem is ready and waiting to help us but we have to call out to Him first. Another story happened a couple of weeks ago. A woman was walking on Shabbat and lo alenu was struck by a car. As she was lying on the ground, the driver got out to see if she was okay. He then said out loud, "I knew Hashem was going to punish me for driving on Shabbat." The woman on the floor heard this man saying he is a Jew who desecrates Shabbat. In her weakened state she said to him, "If you will accept upon yourself right now to keep Shabbat, I will forgive you for this." The man accepted. We see a couple of lessons from this story. Number one, look at the purity of this woman. While she was suffering in pain, she was concerned that the driver who hit her should keep Shabbat. Number two, it was decreed for whatever reason that this woman had to get hit, but Hashem orchestrated it in a way where it would be this man, to give him a chance to come back to religion. Even somebody who has drifted so far that he was driving on Shabbat right in the heart of a Jewish community, Hashem yearned for him to come back. If someone has no connection to rabbis or Torah, we would think how is he going to get inspired, but Hashem always has a way, ways that we could never dream of. Now is the greatest time for us to ask Hashem for help with our own Teshuvah and to help bring back those people who we know have veered from the path. Gemar Chatima Tovah

Keshira haLev Fife, a kohenet (Jewish priestess), ritual designer, community-weaver, and founder of Kesher Pittsburgh joins Dan and Lex for a conversation about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. How might we more effectively orient to the notion of teshuva (often translated “repentance” or “return”) over these 10 days? Could floating in kayaks have something to do with how we might re-invent these High Holidays? This episode is the third in a Judaism Unbound mini-series, helping listeners prepare for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Head to JudaismUnbound.com/classes to check out our up upcoming 8-week courses in the UnYeshiva! Explore Jewish communities around the world, fierce women in Torah, Maimonides's (Rambam's) theology, and more!Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Is Teshuvah a return to an untouched state of purity, or an acceptance of the past mistakes and experiences that have led us to where we are today? A deeply moving teaching from Rav Tzadok of Lublin about the conversation between growth and self-acceptance in the journey of Teshuvah, and on how the darker parts of our journey are the most generative parts, too. This episode is sponsored by Zelda Hair, a wig company that champions the holistic process of hair covering for Jewish women. Shop Zelda Hair at zeldahairshop.com and discover the heart behind the brand on instagram @zeldahair. Sources mentioned in this episode: Zohar, Parshas Vayetze Tzidkas Hatzaddik by Reb Tzadok Hakohen Milublin, Kuf Samach Daled and Mem We love hearing your feedback! Email us at info@humanandholy.com to get in touch. To sponsor an episode, reach out to us via email or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.humanandholy.com/sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Become a monthly supporter of the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/humanandholy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can find us on instagram @humanandholy.

Is inner healing truly a Jewish value? How do you know when to stop? What is the relationship between emotional wellness and spiritual growth? How do we dissolve the blockages to our soul's innate voice? Explore these questions and more in this conversation about Teshuvah, personal healing, spiritual growth, and returning to our divine soul's voice. Tzivie Greenberg is a facilitator of emotional healing for soul-led living. She is Internal Family Systems Trained, IFSCA Certified. You can contact her at tziviegreenberg@gmail.com for a one time consultation or weekly sessions. You can also find more of her work on instagram @TzivieG. This episode is sponsored by Zelda Hair, a wig company that champions the holistic process of hair covering for Jewish women. Shop Zelda Hair at zeldahairshop.com and discover the heart behind the brand on instagram @zeldahair. We love hearing your feedback! Email us at info@humanandholy.com to get in touch. To sponsor an episode, reach out to us via email or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.humanandholy.com/sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Become a monthly supporter of the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/humanandholy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can find us on instagram @humanandholy.