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Self-Control Through Torah
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.
July 25, 2024
"Calm" in Pinchas
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…
July 19, 2024
The Middah of "Silence" in Balak
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…
July 11, 2024
"Silence" in Chukat
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 (…
July 4, 2024
Silence in Korach
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…
June 27, 2024
On "Silence" (Shtikah) in Shelakh
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…
June 20, 2024
The Trait of "Diligence" in B'ha'alotkha
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.…
June 13, 2024
On "Diligence" (zerizut) in Naso
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 …
June 6, 2024
What is Your Mission?
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…
May 30, 2024
On "Diligence" (zerizut) in Bechukotai
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…
May 23, 2024
The Trait of "Frugality" in Behar
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…
May 16, 2024
On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Emor
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 …
May 9, 2024
On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Kedoshim
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…
May 2, 2024
On "Frugality" in Acharei Mot
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…
April 18, 2024
"Righteousness" (tzedek) in Metzora
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…
April 11, 2024
"Righteousness" in Tazria
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…
April 4, 2024
More on "Righteousness" (Tzedek)
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…
March 28, 2024
On "Righteousness" (Tzedek)
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…
March 21, 2024
More on "Humility" with Rabbi Marc Margolius
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…
March 14, 2024
The Mussar Tradition and "Humility" (anavah)
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…
March 9, 2024
Building the Tabernacle
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…