Explore every episode of the podcast The Chavrusa

Mapping out an empowering and uplifting framework of Teshuva through the 5 steps laid out by Rebbe Zusha, the "genius of humility", Striving to be whole; not perfect, and the intersection of sophistication and simplicity I'm Moshe Schonbrun, & this is the Chavrusa Podcast- an exploration of timeless wisdom & ideas that have guided some of history's greatest people for over 3,000 years! This season is based on the book 'Baderech' by Judah Mischel ( https://zbermanbooks.com/baderech-along-the-path-of-teshuvah-mischel ) Check out our previous seasons, exploring deep Torah concepts on the topics of Authenticity, Mindfulness, Identity, & more! Please do send any questions, ideas, & feedback through voicenote drop at https://anchor.fm/chavrusa/message or email chavrusapodcast@gmail.com

Discussing Rebbe Nachman's whimsical tale and its message to reclaim our authentic life story, The story of the elderly man who found out his Tefillin were never actually valid, and when in life we should be unrealistic I'm Moshe Schonbrun, & this is the Chavrusa Podcast- an exploration of timeless wisdom & ideas that have guided some of history's greatest people for over 3,000 years! This season is based on the book 'Baderech' by Judah Mischel ( https://zbermanbooks.com/baderech-along-the-path-of-teshuvah-mischel ) Check out our previous seasons, exploring deep Torah concepts on the topics of Authenticity, Mindfulness, Identity, & more! Please do send any questions, ideas, & feedback through voicenote drop at https://anchor.fm/chavrusa/message or email chavrusapodcast@gmail.com

An emphatic decrying of a philosophically misguided and spiritually damaging attitude, shouldering the burden and pains of others & Hashem, & dripping blood while davening Mincha I'm Moshe Schonbrun, & this is the Chavrusa Podcast- an exploration of timeless wisdom & ideas that have guided some of history's greatest people for over 3,000 years! This season is based on the book 'Baderech' by Judah Mischel ( https://zbermanbooks.com/baderech-along-the-path-of-teshuvah-mischel ) Check out our previous seasons, exploring deep Torah concepts on the topics of Authenticity, Mindfulness, Identity, & more! Please do send any questions, ideas, & feedback through voicenote drop at https://anchor.fm/chavrusa/message or email chavrusapodcast@gmail.com

Discussing the foundational command that the entire Torah emanates from, the eternity of short-lived inspiration, and an epic story of a Vishnitzer cowboy somewhere out in Texas I'm Moshe Schonbrun, & this is the Chavrusa Podcast- an exploration of timeless wisdom & ideas that have guided some of history's greatest people for over 3,000 years! This season is based on the book 'Baderech' by Judah Mischel ( https://zbermanbooks.com/baderech-along-the-path-of-teshuvah-mischel ) Check out our previous seasons, exploring deep Torah concepts on the topics of Authenticity, Mindfulness, Identity, & more! Please do send any questions, ideas, & feedback through voicenote drop at https://anchor.fm/chavrusa/message or email chavrusapodcast@gmail.com

Why we all are compared to the 'Kosher-Lamps' and the story of one rolling down an airport terminal, Rebbe Bunim's insight into doing Teshuva solves a puzzling statement of the Rambam, and Ralph Waldo Emerson's musing on the painters use of light illuminates an incredible Torah of Rebbe Nachman I'm Moshe Schonbrun, & this is the Chavrusa Podcast- an exploration of timeless wisdom & ideas that have guided some of history's greatest people for over 3,000 years! This season is based on the book 'Baderech' by Judah Mischel ( https://zbermanbooks.com/baderech-along-the-path-of-teshuvah-mischel ) Check out our previous seasons, exploring deep Torah concepts on the topics of Authenticity, Mindfulness, Identity, & more! Please do send any questions, ideas, & feedback through voicenote drop at https://anchor.fm/chavrusa/message or email chavrusapodcast@gmail.com

Embarking on new beginnings on paths both beaten & never taken, why effective change is not in changing flaws but in emphasizing ones strengths, and the Torah's radical view on mistakes and sin. I'm Moshe Schonbrun, & this is the Chavrusa Podcast- an exploration of timeless wisdom & ideas that have guided some of history's greatest people for over 3,000 years! This season is based on the book 'Baderech' by Judah Mischel ( https://zbermanbooks.com/baderech-along-the-path-of-teshuvah-mischel ) Check out our previous seasons, exploring deep Torah concepts on the topics of Authenticity, Mindfulness, Identity, & more! Please do send any questions, ideas, & feedback at https://anchor.fm/chavrusa/message or chavrusapodcast@gmail.com

Analyzing a fascinating police report registered against 20 Chassidim of Peshischa in 1823, The way to cultivate joy & happiness, and the differences between a couch & a shtender (The Quest for Authenticity- 16)

Discussing how to navigate the fundamental quest for self-analysis while avoiding looming pitfalls of depression, and the importance of swapping out a cold & dry Judaism for one that's overflowing with joy & pleasure. (The Quest for Authenticity- 15)

How people followed the Torah even before it was given, Why R' Bunim disagreed with Kabbalistic takes on sin & evil, & living a life of wholesome balance (The Quest for Authenticity- 14)

Discussing the hesitancy of famous Rebbe's to publish their own works, "modern" Orthodoxy, and an extraordinary Torah idea with a remarkable implication (The Quest for Authenticity- 13)

Discussing the Torah's intolerance of Externals, the convergence of Rebbe Bunim and the Mussar Movement, & dealing with worrying about what others think (The Quest for Authenticity- 12)

The search for a new appellation for the post-idealogical, broad and diverse Torah community leads to scintillating contrasts between classical & jazz music, with stunning philosophical & societal implications (The Quest for Authenticity- 11)

The incredible balancing act of combining passion and self-analysis, Seek & Search: the 2 necessary elements for growth, & differentiating between religion that's imposed from without and Torah that expresses a person's fundamental nature (The Quest for Authenticity- 10)

An incredible story of dealing with communal division & politics, How the difference between a water well and a pit portrays the possible purpose of humanity, & deep insights into defining your life authentically (The Quest for Authenticity- 9)

The seminal value from which all thought of Peshischa flows, the dangers of reductive resignation and false piety, and how to find one's own path (The Quest for Authenticity- 8)

Attempts to hasten the Messianic Age, what Moshiach actually is about, and how it can be a diversion from the authentic life. (The Quest for Authenticity- 7)

The story of the meeting between Rebbe Bunim and Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the missing element in contemporary Torah education, and the diminishing of kabbalah and miracles in Peshischa (The Quest for Authenticity- 6)

Discussing an incredible 3-way debate between Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, the Baal Shem Tov, & Rebbe Bunim regarding the role of Torah learning, and the theological revolution it inspired (The Quest for Authenticity- 5)

The fascinating biography of Rebbe Bunim: chemist, linguist, chess master, timber merchant, talmuldist, outreach professional and chassidic rebbe, & the story of his remarkable impact on European Jewry (The Quest for Authenticity- 4)

Examining the deep ideological underpinnings and passionate divides between the Seer of Lublin & the teachings of Pryshuscha, and the inaugural story taught to all incoming students of Rebbe Bunim (The Quest for Authenticity- 3)

Prince Phillip's unerring capacity for akward remarks, The convergence of psychology & spirituality, and the pitfalls of living a scripted life (The Quest for Authenticity- 2)

New Season on The Chavrusa Podcast: Pryshuscha. Exploring a revolution uncompromisingly aimed against complacency of the Jewish establishment, and the internal war upon the leadership of its time, pretension, & self-deceit. (The departure point for this season is the book 'The Quest for Authenticity', written by Dr. Rabbi Michael Rosen)

Two core essential aspects of Matzah, how it could lead to inner liberation & the truest of personal expression, & why being around people who are genuine and authentic increases happiness and is our concluding message of Passover

Wildly divergent political opinions converge at the same seder, Blunting harsh exteriors, & How to incorporate individuality into communites

Uncovering new depths behind the questions of the Seder, Rav Kook's incredible insight into why we eat maror, & the biggest crisis facing world Jewry today

Entering the fray of the contentious debate over the optimal way to bake Matzah- Handcrafted Artisnal, or efficiently symmetric through automation?, Discovering the moment when slavery changes to freedom, & How to deal with wealth inequities

Stunning new archeological revelations, How to transform chaos into beauty, the deep symbolism of Karpas & Yachatz, & why you should transform from being a dipper to being the dipped

Introducing Season 5 of The Chavrusa: The Haggadah. An epic debate over the meaning of history, The Torah's take on freedom, Ben Gurions 1947 speech, why Questioning is at the core of Spirituality, and why the seder begins with Kadeish

How to communicate with your pets, The way animals escape Tsunamis, & a tremendous opportunity that is worth trading eternity for

Gray areas of integrity, giving false positive recommendations, and the story of a remarkable man who quit his only job over $9

Ethical conditions of leaving reviews online, former royals exposing details to Oprah, the cautionary tale of Richard Jewell, and why teeth don't decompose

Addressing the plight of the Agunah: the convoluted roots of the issue, contemporary Rabbinic response, social media pressure, and the solutions moving forward

In the season finale, we discuss the Kosher BBQ scene, the only way to respond to antisemitism, and answer the question: Why be Jewish? (Letter in the Scroll- 16)

Discussing the fallacy of a child with 3 fathers listed on birth certificate, Preventing Toxic Positivity, The differences between anti-Judaism & antisemitism, & The Vanishing American Jew: why are so many young Jews walking away? (Letter in the Scroll- 15)

The Gemara's etiquette for dealing with akward hosts, waiters, and introductions, The essential difference between Philosophy and Torah, and why Judaism is needed more than ever in today's advanced, affluent, and anxious world (Letter in the Scroll- 14)

The story of the momentous showdown between the Roman Emperor Vespasian & Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai, exploring King David's death, & how Torah achieved equality, liberty, & fraternity centuries before the French (Letter in the Scroll- 13)

A zenithal spotlight into the human mind and the nature of happiness, and how celebrating Purim can cultivate transformational change

Fashion advice on an emerging trend & an illuminating understanding of the concept of secrets, and its connections to Purim

Delineating how the essence of Purim is a call for Authenticity, the 2 conflicting sentiments of 'Be True to Yourself', Gladwell debunks common understanding of the effects of alcohol, & why Jews drink, dress & sniff on Purim

Defining the essence of what a community is (and is not), Esther's profound and enthralling response to the gravest of dangers, and the deep messaging behind sending gifts on Purim

Thinking Fast & Slow through a Kabbalistic lens, analyzing the history of the Synagogue, and how Jewish identity has been sustained amidst centuries of dispersion

A penetrating critique into today's culture of career liberation, Becoming a 'Tomorrow Person's, and how an incredible vision of hope emerged from Judaism's darkest hour (in contrast to Christianity, The divide between Rabbi Akiva and Paul)

In today's episode of The Chavrusa, we discuss Forest Bathing, New York City Parks, Education Evidence, & Judaism's most daring institution.

Exploring the 2 Political theories in Judaism, the unique Torah theory of state, and its theory of society, A deeper look at the 3 core concepts in Jewish communal life, & an inner glimpse on Purim

In this episode of The Mailbag, we address questions about Rabbis- "Does having a Rabbi reduce my own autonomy in decision making? "Are some Rabbis better than other rabbis?" "Can Women be Rabbis"? "Should I be asking my Rabbi Business decisions? Medical advice?" "Are Rabbis looking for control?" "What is 'Daas Torah'?" In response we analyze the 3 necessary qualities of a Rabbi and how a healthy approach to having a Rabbi will lead to invaluable counsel, guidance, friendship, and autonomy.

The 2 types of communities, The 2 forms of Freedom, and how the most influential political story ever told shaped an enduring revolution - transitioning a nation to a people, Exodus to Sinai, passive to active, fate to faith, and subjects to authors on the long walk to freedom (Letter in the Scroll- 8)

An attorney's improvisation for a kippa is indicative of a serious gap between technical actions and the moral imperative of Halacha, And delving into the roots of the Chosen People, Terrorism, & Democratic Socialism (A Letter in the Scroll- 7)

California bans singing in synagogues- but they're not the first. Exploring the 2 ways to sing in Judaism, and how the Torah's moralizing of relationships turned out to be the most transformative idea in all of social history (Letter in the Scroll- 6)

Raging legal battles over the definition of Vanilla leads to a Torah perspective on the fluidity of miscommunations, & Tracking the Revolutionary History of Jewish Ideas, heralding the greatest Paradigm Shift in the Story of Mankind (Letter in the Scroll, 5)

The perfume of Civet Cats, and A Radical & Haunting Account that has Challenged Conventional Morality & Thought since the dawn of Humanity (Letter in a Scroll, 4)