Explore every episode of the podcast The Shmuz

What happens when you don't have a good argument for why Hashem should say yes? Rabbi Shafier reveals one of the most powerful ideas behind tefillah: we don't always have to come before Hashem because we're worthy or because we deserve what we're asking for. Sometimes we can simply ask for rachamim. From Sarah Imeinu's frightening encounter with midas hadin to the extraordinary power of the Yud Gimmel Middos, discover how tefillah can change the way we're judged, and why sometimes the most powerful words we can say are simply, “Hashem, please have mercy.” 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

The Torah tells us to be happy on Yom Tov. But how can you be commanded to feel something? Rabbi Shafier reveals that the key to simchas Yom Tov isn't pretending to be happy, but learning to notice how much good we already have. From the food we eat to the colours we see and the everyday comforts we barely notice, discover how recognising the countless gifts Hashem has placed in our lives can change the way we experience Succos, and help us find a happiness that was there all along. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Every night of Succos, we welcome the Ushpizin into our sukkah. But what can these great figures teach us about the way we live? Through a fascinating question about Yaakov Avinu, Rabbi Shafier reveals how even moments of tremendous inspiration can disappear if we simply return to life on autopilot. Discover why our habits can be either the greatest obstacle or the greatest tool for growth, and how Succos gives us an opportunity to take the inspiration of the Yomim Noraim and turn it into real, lasting change. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Yom Kippur forces us to confront the things we've done wrong. But how do you honestly admit your failures without allowing them to define you? Rabbi Shafier reveals the crucial difference between being flawed and being a failure, and why even the greatest people in history made mistakes. Through the powerful image of a diamond with a flaw, discover how to face your shortcomings without denying them or being crushed by them, do real teshuvah, and keep moving forward toward the person you're capable of becoming. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Not every thought that pops into your head deserves to be believed. Rabbi Shafier takes you inside the battle with the Yetzer Hara, revealing how it can make the wrong choice seem reasonable, convince you you're incapable of changing, and even turn against you after you fall. But that struggle has a purpose. Discover why the challenges that seem to hold you back may actually be the very resistance that makes you stronger, and how Yom Kippur gives you a unique opportunity to see your thinking more clearly, take back control, and choose where you want to go next. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why is it so easy to see what everyone else is doing wrong, yet so difficult to recognize our own mistakes? Rabbi Shafier reveals one of the most powerful tricks of the human mind: once we want something, our brain becomes remarkably good at explaining why we're right. Through the shocking story of the men who publicly humiliated Dovid HaMelech, he shows how easily anger, jealousy, and desire can distort the way we see reality. Yom Kippur gives us the chance to strip away those excuses, admit where we're really struggling, and turn to Hashem for the help we need to genuinely change. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

You put on tefillin. You hold back one piece of lashon hara. You say one tefillah with real kavana. It can feel like such a small thing. But what if the true impact of that mitzvah is far greater than anything you can see? Rabbi Shafier reveals a fascinating picture of how your choices affect not only yourself, but the spiritual worlds beyond you. Discover why even the smallest mitzvah matters more than you realize, why an aveirah carries such weight, and how understanding the true power of your actions can completely change the way you approach Yom Kippur. 

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You've decided what needs to change. You've made a plan. You're determined that this time will be different. So why do we so often find ourselves right back where we started? In this eye-opening shmuz, Rabbi Shafier reveals a missing piece in the way many of us approach teshuvah: real change isn't something we're expected to accomplish on our own. Through the surprising story of Rabbi Meir and the biryonim, discover the extraordinary power of tefillah to change a person's heart, and how combining honest effort with asking Hashem for help can make this year's commitment to change actually last. 

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Yom Kippur isn't only about looking back at what you've done wrong. It's also an opportunity to look forward and ask a much bigger question: Am I becoming the person I'm supposed to be? Rabbi Shafier explains why your job isn't to measure yourself against anyone else, but to understand the unique strengths, challenges, and mission Hashem gave you. Learn how Yom Kippur can become not just a day for erasing the mistakes of the past, but a chance to rethink where you're going and who you want to become. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

What if the real question on Yom Kippur isn't only what you've done wrong, but what you've done with your life? Rabbi Shafier explains that each of us was given a unique set of strengths, weaknesses, circumstances, and challenges for one purpose: to become the person only we can become. Yom Kippur is our chance to step out of the busyness of life, take an honest look at where we're headed, and ask whether we're actually living up to our potential. Because ultimately, you're not measured against anyone else. You're measured against the person you could have been. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Is there anything you've done that is simply too big to undo? Any mistake that puts you beyond the reach of teshuvah? In this powerful shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores the extraordinary story of Elisha ben Avuyah, a man who rose to incredible spiritual heights and then fell almost as far as a person could fall. Yet even for him, the door to teshuvah was never truly closed. Discover the mistake that kept Acher from returning, the astonishing power of teshuvah, and why no matter how far you've fallen, it's never too late to come back. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

How should you feel on Rosh Hashanah? Joyful that Hashem is revealing Himself as King, or frightened by the knowledge that your future is being decided? In this powerful shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores the surprising tension at the heart of Rosh Hashanah and why both emotions belong. He also tackles a question many of us struggle with: if we really believe so much is being decided, why is it still so hard to daven with urgency? Discover two powerful ideas that can make the reality of Rosh Hashanah feel real, transform the way you daven, and change the way you walk into shul this year. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

In a world that constantly tells us our worth is defined by success, status, or social standing, Shmuz 322: The Greatness of Man delivers a powerful reality check: what if you lived today knowing your life was being written as a lasting biography? Watch Shmuz 322 to shift your perspective, reclaim your dignity, and start stepping into the true greatness you were created for.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

What would change if you truly felt that Hashem was right there with you? We know Hashem is everywhere, yet turning that knowledge into something we actually experience is far more difficult. In this powerful shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai’s surprising final bracha to his talmidim and reveals one of the keys to genuine yiras Shamayim. Discover why the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah offer a unique opportunity to open your eyes, experience Hashem’s presence more deeply, and build a connection that can stay with you throughout the year. 

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How much effort are you supposed to put in when you know the outcome is ultimately in Hashem’s hands? Finding the balance between bitachon and hishtadlus can be surprisingly difficult. Rabbi Shafier walks you through what your responsibility really is, how to know when you’ve done enough, and why trusting Hashem never means sitting back and waiting for things to happen. This shmuz offers a practical framework for approaching parnassah, health, shidduchim, and the many situations in life where you have to act while remembering Who ultimately determines the outcome. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

What if you truly understood how much you matter? The Torah gives us a picture of the human being that is far greater than most of us imagine, with every mitzvah, every choice, and even every thought having an impact far beyond what we can see. In this powerful shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores what it really means to be created in the image of Hashem, why understanding your own greatness is essential for growth, and how a stronger sense of who you are can transform the way you approach your life, your choices, and your potential. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Have you ever wondered why you can feel deeply inspired one moment, only to struggle with the exact opposite feeling a short time later? That contradiction is built into the human being, and understanding it can change the way you see yourself, your struggles, and even the mitzvahs you perform. In this fascinating shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores the two powerful forces within you, why Hashem created you with this constant inner battle, and how the choices you make every day gradually shape the person you become. Discover why this struggle is not getting in the way of your growth, but is at the very heart of what life is all about.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

You want to be confident...but not arrogant. You want to work on your personal development, but cheshbon hanefesh is demoralizing. You know Hashem gave you talents and abilities- but are you ‘allowed’ to feel proud of your achievements?

There are many contradictions when it comes to working on yourself, your middos and your self esteem. This Shmuz will help you discover the golden middle way within yourself.
 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Every smart young couple starts their marriage with the same dreams, goals and ideals. They’re one hundred percent sure that they will live in married bliss forever.

Until they aren’t.

Until the bickering, fighting and loneliness become second nature and they are left wondering where they went wrong. Unfortunately, making a happy marriage is not intuitive, and most couples make the same fatal errors when trying to build their Torah home. They’re not aware that these minor infractions are ruining the most precious relationship of their life.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Finding Happiness in a World That Always Wants More

We're surrounded by messages telling us we need more. A bigger house, a newer car, nicer clothes, the latest gadget. But do these things really make us happier? In this thought-provoking shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores why we always seem to want what we don't have, and why chasing more often leaves us feeling less satisfied. Drawing on timeless Torah wisdom, he reveals a powerful mindset that can free us from constant comparison, help us appreciate what Hashem has already given us, and find genuine happiness with the life we have. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Decision Making Made Easy

If you're looking for a shmuz on how to banish self-doubt and regret, we have one based around this week's parsha that would be just perfect for you. Alternatively entitled 'Who Put That Thought in Your Head?!' it will give you Rabbi Shafier's three-step plan on how to find genuine self-contentment. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

What does true greatness look like? In this inspiring class, Rabbi Shafier explores the extraordinary kindness of Abraham, known as Avraham Avinu, who, despite great pain and exhaustion, devoted himself completely to caring for others. Through the Torah’s powerful portrayal of Avraham’s generosity and selflessness, this lecture reveals a profound lesson about what it means to live a meaningful life and to strive to become more G-dlike.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do good people end up in bitter arguments with those they love most? And why does every side feel completely convinced they're right? In this powerful Tisha B'Av shmuz, Rabbi Shafier uncovers the surprising meaning of sinas chinam, revealing how the stories we tell ourselves can destroy relationships, families, and even a nation. Through timeless Torah wisdom, fascinating historical examples, and practical insights, he shows how changing the way you interpret other people's actions can transform your most precious relationships...and perhaps bring us one step closer to rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why can you feel inspired one moment and completely unmotivated the next? Why do you genuinely want to do the right thing, yet still find yourself pulled in the opposite direction? In this thought-provoking shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores the Torah's fascinating understanding of human nature and reveals why that inner struggle isn't a flaw, but the very reason we were created. Discover how every choice shapes who you become, why Torah and mitzvos have the power to transform you from within, and how understanding the battle inside yourself can change the way you approach growth, challenges, and life itself.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do people so often convince themselves that wrong is right? In this eye-opening class, Rabbi Shafier explores the human ability to justify almost any action and the inner struggle between truth, desire, and conscience. Drawing on psychology, history, and Torah wisdom, this lecture reveals why moral clarity does not come naturally — and why the Torah is essential as a guide for living with honesty, purpose, and true integrity.

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The Three Rules of Criticism

We all know criticism rarely works, yet it's one of the easiest habits to fall into. In this eye-opening shmuz, Rabbi Shafier reveals why even well-intentioned criticism so often pushes people away instead of inspiring change. Through powerful Torah sources, real-life examples, and practical guidance for marriage, parenting, and everyday relationships, you'll discover a more effective approach to helping others grow, one that strengthens relationships instead of damaging them. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

What would change if you truly felt that G-d was with you every moment of your life? In this powerful class, Rabbi Shafier explores the final teachings of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and the profound Jewish understanding of awe, prayer, and our relationship with G-d. Combining Torah wisdom with a breathtaking look at the vastness of the universe, this lecture offers a moving perspective on how personal and meaningful prayer can become when we recognize Who we are really speaking to.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

It's easy to believe in Hashem in theory. Living with the awareness that He is with you every moment is something else entirely. In this powerful Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores the difference between knowing about Hashem and truly feeling His presence. Discover why tefillah can sometimes feel routine, what real yiras Shamayim looks like, and a few simple, practical changes that can completely transform the way you daven and connect with your Creator.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

What if the biggest obstacle to your growth isn't your circumstances, but the stories you tell yourself? In this eye-opening Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier reveals how your mind can blur reality, distort your priorities, and subtly lead you away from your values. Through a remarkable Gemara, powerful real-life examples, and practical tools you can start using today, he shows how to break through self-deception, see life with greater clarity, and make choices you'll be proud of for years to come.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why did Hashem put us in this world? And how would your life change if you truly understood the answer? In this thought-provoking shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores one of life's biggest questions, revealing how every person is given a unique mission, carefully chosen challenges, and the exact circumstances they need to reach their potential. Through powerful stories and timeless Torah wisdom, he offers a perspective that can transform the way you view success, suffering, purpose, and every decision you make. Once you see life through this lens, you'll never look at it the same way again.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why did Hashem create human beings with desires, struggles, and limitations instead of giving us the instincts and abilities of animals? In this fascinating class, Rabbi Shafier explores the difference between pleasure and purpose, revealing how many of life’s frustrations are actually part of a deeper design for growth and fulfillment. Blending Torah insight with memorable examples and sharp observations about modern life, this lecture offers a powerful perspective on happiness, self-control, and what it truly means to live according to your purpose.  

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Have you ever heard the three rules of criticism?

Don’t do it

Don’t do it

Don’t do it

Ok, everyone knows how it feels to be criticized. Everyone agrees that it’s damaging to our most precious relationships. Some people have lived under the shadow of criticism their whole life, and have the arduous task of trying to rebuild their self-esteem and confidence. So if it’s so incredibly obvious as to why we shouldn’t do it- why do we? In this week’s Shmuz Live, I’ll be deconstructing the science behind the scorn, and give some real-life, practical advice on how to overcome this destructive habit.
 

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Why do we mourn the Beis Hamikdash... if we don't even feel what's missing? In this thought-provoking Tisha B'Av shmuz, Rabbi Shafier explores a question that will turn your perspective upside down. What if the anxiety, confusion, and emptiness so many people experience today aren't simply part of modern life...but symptoms of a world that is fundamentally broken? Discover why Chazal cried for the Churban, why we struggle to, and how understanding what you've truly lost can change the way you view yourself, your purpose, and your longing for the Geulah. 

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What does genuine bitachon really mean? Is it believing that everything will work out the way we want? Drawing on the righteous women who left Egypt carrying tambourines in anticipation of future miracles, Rabbi Shafier explores the true meaning of trust in Hashem. This uplifting Shmuz offers a powerful new framework for understanding Hashem's love and finding genuine peace, no matter what life brings. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Have you ever wondered why, if Hashem loves you so much, you don't always feel it? This powerful Shiva Asar B'Tammuz shmuz explores a question that touches every Jew. Through the remarkable story of Bilam and his donkey, Rabbi Shafier uncovers a profound insight into Hashem's relationship with you, challenging many of the assumptions you may carry about His love, patience, and expectations. You'll come away with a deeper appreciation of what it truly means to be part of Hashem's chosen people, and why that understanding can transform the way you see both your struggles and your potential. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

How To Restore Balance, Focus and Meaning to Your Life
In this week’s Parsha, Pinchas is given the bris shalom after defending the honor of Hashem. Four hundred years ago, The Seforno explained that as a result of this gift, Pinchas was granted longevity. By living ‘at peace with himself’ Pinchas was able to live a longer, healthier life.
Would you like to live more at peace with yourself? Be less stressed, more grounded? It’s hard to know where to start.

How can I restore an equilibrium between my inner conflicts and desires? How can I achieve a healthy work-life balance, when I feel pulled in so many conflicting directions? And how can I stop myself feeling so frazzled, even when I know it damages my immune system and makes me miserable and tired? As always, the lessons of the Parsha offer us all a startling perspective. Want to hear more on how you can make lasting changes to improve your life, get healthy and enjoy your time in this world? This Shmuz is for you.
 

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What separates ordinary people from those who achieve greatness? In this inspiring class, Rabbi Shafier explores the power of human potential through unforgettable stories of determination, courage, and personal growth. Drawing from Torah wisdom, history, and real-life examples, this lecture challenges you to aim higher, overcome limitations, and discover what you are truly capable of becoming.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do so many people achieve success yet still feel empty inside? In this thought-provoking class, Rabbi Shafier explores the connection between inner peace, physical health, and genuine happiness, revealing why external success alone can never satisfy the soul. Blending Torah wisdom with fascinating modern research, this lecture offers a powerful new perspective on what it truly means to live a fulfilled and meaningful life.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

You know that your year is decreed on Rosh Hashanah. Every aspect of your life is carefully designed by your Creator. You also know that you’re commanded to do your hishtadlus and daven that Hashem rewards your efforts.

But how much hishtadlus is too much? How am I meant to tell when Hashem’s answer is ‘no’ or whether He wants me to keep up with the effort and tefillos that I’m investing in?

In this incredibly practical Shmuz, I’ll be addressing your common bitachon dilemmas. Make sure to join me on Thursday to learn how to find that elusive balance between genuine hishtadlus and trusting in Hashem.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do people so often focus on what is missing instead of appreciating what they already have? In this uplifting class, Rabbi Shafier explores the incredible amount of goodness G-d places into your life and why true happiness depends on learning to recognize it. Through powerful examples and practical insight, this lecture offers a refreshing perspective on gratitude, material success, and the deeper spiritual purpose of life.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Rabbi Shafier explores one of the most empowering ideas in Jewish thought: the immense significance of every individual and every mitzvah. Through a profound examination of what it means to be created b'tzelem Elokim, he reveals how each person's actions impact far more than they can see 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Our weekly Shmuz Live will be on a super-relevant topic this week: What to do when your bitachon is tested to the max.
We’ve all got ‘stuff’. Baggage. Static. Nisyonos. We all need a Torah perspective to know how to respond to both major world events as well as the everyday traffic of life. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do you sometimes feel pulled in two different directions — wanting to do what’s right, yet struggling with temptation, anger, or selfishness? In this thought-provoking class, Rabbi Shafier explores the Jewish understanding of the human soul and explains how every person contains both a higher spiritual side and a powerful instinct-driven side. Through deep Torah insight and practical wisdom, this lecture offers a fascinating look at human nature and how you can grow into the person you were meant to become.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do some people inspire others while some push them away, even when they mean well? In this insightful class, Rabbi Shafier explores the power of words, the importance of speaking with sensitivity, and the impact your thoughts have on your emotions and actions. Drawing on a fascinating Torah story about Moshe, Miriam, and prophecy, this lecture offers practical wisdom for improving your relationships, influencing others positively, and gaining greater control over your inner world.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Do you believe in Hashem, but sometimes feel that He’s out to get you?

Then you have emunah, but lack bitachon. You see, it’s not enough to simply recognize that Hashem runs the world. As a frum Jew, you also want to internalize that Hashem is directing your own life and knows what’s best for you. Too many of our problems in bitachon stem from thinking we know better than G-d. Too often we assume we know the bigger picture and feel abandoned by our Creator. In this Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier shares some practical ideas on how to make Hashem real. Pick a method that speaks to you, and transform your life into one of genuine trust and menuchas hanefesh.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Why do some people grow through hardship while others feel crushed by it?

In this inspiring class, Rabbi Shafier shares the remarkable story of Rabbi Eliezer Ben Hurcanus and explores a powerful Jewish perspective on purpose, struggle, and human potential. Through memorable examples and deep insight, this lecture challenges you to see your life differently. You are not a victim of your circumstances. You have a unique mission designed to help you become the person you were meant to be. Curious for more? Listen now.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

If miracles are so powerful, why do people still struggle to believe? In this fascinating class, Rabbi Shafier explores the story of the Exodus from Egypt and reveals a surprising truth about human nature: people often see only what they are willing to see. Through powerful examples, personal insight, and Torah wisdom, this lecture challenges us to approach life with greater honesty, openness, and awareness of Hashem’s presence in the world around us.

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

If miracles are so powerful, why do people still struggle to believe? In this fascinating class, Rabbi Shafier explores the story of the Exodus from Egypt and reveals a surprising truth about human nature: people often see only what they are willing to see. Through powerful examples, personal insight, and Torah wisdom, this lecture challenges us to approach life with greater honesty, openness, and awareness of Hashem’s presence in the world around us. 

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate