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How can Torah help you improve your self-control? With the help of Menahem Mendel Lefin's Cheshbon haNefesh, an important 19th-century work on character refinement, we delve into the weekly Torah portion to seek wisdom on refining our traits and mastering our moods and emotions. Listen in as Modya Silver, a psychotherapist and author, and David Gottlieb, a scholar of Jewish history and a teacher of Jewish contemplative practice, uncover the ethical wisdom contained in each weekly reading.
In Pinchas (Num. 25:10-30:1), the Moses prepares the people for crossing over into the land. The preparations come on the heels of violence and plague…
In this week's episode, David and Modya speak with Rebecca Schliser, a core faculty member at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and rabbinical stu…
In this week's episode, Modya and David's method for exploring the Torah portion through the lens of a specific character trait lands them on Chukat (…
Korach (Num. 16:1-18:32), one of the most riveting and dramatic narratives in all of Torah, is, perhaps counterintuitively, fertile ground for a discu…
This week, Modya and David discuss parshat Shelakh (also known as Shelakh Lekha) in the Book of Numbers, using the lens of the attribute of Shtikah, o…
Today, Modya and David welcome Mindy Shapiro, a Philadelphia-based student and teacher of Mussar and an artist*, to discuss parshat B'ha'alotkha (Num.…
This week, Modya and David dive into parshat Naso (Num. 4:21-7:89), the longest portion in the entire Torah -- 70 verses of which are identical! This …
What sort of people do you surround yourself with? And what is your mission in life? How best to marshal all aspects of your personality, and your com…
On this week's episode, Modya and David switch lenses to the trait of Zerizut, or Diligence, and use that as a lens through which to explore parshat B…
This week David and Modya complete their investigation of frugality looking at the parsha of Behar. We see how the lens is widened to include not only…
In parsha Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23), David and Modya continue to explore "frugality." They look at it being part of a continuum of holiness and see …
Modya and David focus again this week on kimutz, or frugality, through the lens of the week's Torah portion, Kedoshim (Lev: 19:1-20:27). The central q…
Modya and David begin this week a focus on the trait of frugality, the careful shepherding of one's resources, monetary and otherwise. The Torah porti…
On this week's episode, Modya and David are joined by the artist, writer, coach, and fellow podcaster Avrum Rosensweig to discuss parshat Metzora in t…
David and Modya know that beauty is more than skin deep. In this episode, they look at the parsha of tazria (Leviticus 12:1–13:59) through the lens of…
Modya and David take a deep dive this week into Shemini (Lev. 9:1-11:47) to explore the content for lessons in tzedek, or righteousness. How might det…
This week, Modya and David discuss what can be learned about tzedek, or righteousness, from Tzav in the book of Leviticus (Lev. 6:1-8:36). What do pri…
This week, Modya and David are joined by Rabbi Marc Margolius, Vice President of Faculty and Program at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, to disc…
This week, Modya and David discuss Pekudei (Ex. 38:21-40:38), the last Torah portion in the Book of Exodus, in light of the trait of Humility. Among t…
This week, Modya and David delve into Vayakhel (Ex. 35:1-38:20), the Torah portion that describes in great detail the specific materials and dimension…