Explore every episode of the podcast Topics- SoulWords

This guided meditation simulates the chasidic practice of “hisbobenus” contemplation. Rabbi Shais Taub gently guided you through various thoughts on the theme that G-d is the only true existence.

A guided meditation just before the onset of Shabbos in order to get into a Shabbos frame of mind. (Delivered at the National Jewish Retreat.)

What incentives drive us to do mitzvos? What is the key difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? And what does it have to do with the prohibition of "new flour"?

Embodiment may be considered both a prison for the soul as well as its path to spiritual freedom. Continuing the theme introduced in Ch. 46 of Tanya which explains the reflective nature of the heart, Ch. 47 asks how we can feel G-d's love for us that He exhibited when taking us out from Egypt […]

In order to make space within Himself for us, Hashem "contracts" His Infinity, so to speak. When we contemplate on the fact that this is all done in order to create the possibility of a relationship with Him, it will trigger within us reciprocal feelings of wanting to "contract" ourselves for Him, ie. to prioritize […]

Explore the paradoxical mission of the soul, torn between the intense desire to transcend the body and the necessity to return in order to make a dwelling place for Hashem in this world. Based on Chapter 50 of Tanya.

Modern life has disconnected us from the rhythms of the cosmos. However, during an eclipse, we collectively look up and are reminded that the universe is in motion, hinting at the existence of a Divine Creator.

Co-founder of AA, Dr. Bob, once said that the entire 12-Step program could be summed up as: 1) Trust G-d, 2) Clean House, 3) Help Others. In that spirit, Rabbi Shais Taub presents a 1-hour overview of the 12 Steps of recovery structured into "three phases of freedom" corresponding to three months on the Jewish […]

Rabbi Shais Taub leads a guided meditation session at the Kansas City Recovery Retreat. The focus of the meditation is on the idea of G-d's complete "Everything-ness" and how we can surrender our separate egos to that reality to experience greater serenity and, most importantly, increase our usefulness to our Maker.

Join Rabbi Shais Taub as he brings the mystical Ten Sefiros to life, straight from the core texts of Kabbalah and Chassidic philosophy. This session isn't just an overview—it's a deep dive into sacred writings like the introduction to Tikunei Zohar and Igeres HaKodesh, chapter 15. Rabbi Taub translates ancient wisdom into practical insights that […]

Rabbi Shais Taub delivers the key note address at an evening dedicated to putting an end to shame and stigma connected to anxiety and depression. The event was organized by CATCH (Creating A Team of Courage and Hope). For more information about CATCH visit: https://www.catchsupport.org/

Rabbi Taub addresses parents at Beth Rivkah High School in Crown Heights, Brooklyn about how to raise emotionally healthy teens.

Rabbi Shais Taub visits Avi Fishoff's support group for parents in crisis, to present the valuable life lessons he learned while winning the trust of a couple of frightened stray cats. He draws parallels between putting these cats at ease and similar behaviors in interpersonal relationships that convey safety and security especially to those experiencing […]

On the 28th day of Sivan in 5701 (1941), the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin arrived safely on American shores, marking not only a miraculous escape from war-torn Europe but also the beginning of a new era in history. This moment heralded a transformative bottom-up approach to self-improvement and global refinement, setting the stage for a […]

For those interested in exploring 12-Step recovery from a Jewish spiritual perspective, Rabbi Shais Taub utilizes texts from the Big Book of AA and the 12 and 12 to discuss how Jews in recovery can integrate their faith tradition into their lives in a manner consistent with sustained recovery. This video is PART 1 of […]

The second session of the all-day workshop on Judaism and recovery begins with a guided meditation on acceptance followed by a round of Q&A. This video is PART 2 of an intensive all-day workshop entitled "Practicing Acceptance in our Lives and in the Steps" which was conducted in London, UK on July 4, 2024.

Drawing on the mystical teachings of Chassidus and Kabbalah, Rabbi Shais Taub explores masculine and feminine paradigms in marriage and relationships. This enlightening talk offers practical insights and a clear understanding of gender dynamics rooted in Jewish spirituality which will bring clarity to those seeking to deepen their insights into male-female interactions.

How does the concept of Bitachon (trust in G-d) apply to earning a living? Rabbi Shais Taub speaks about the spiritual principles of financial success without distraction or worry.

Rabbi Taub addresses the CounterForce Principals Conference in Boro Park attended by over one hundred Jewish school principals.

Before you can teach a child how great our Torah is, you must teach the child how great he or she is. Rabbi Shais Taub to Parents of ULY Crown Street.

A short talk on the Chassidic approach to parenting and the attitude and mind-set a parent should adopt towards their child. This talk was delivered by renowned chassidic author and scholar, Rabbi Shais Taub at a Neshamos.org event "Advocating for Emotional Wellness" on November 17th 2019 in Brooklyn, NY.

Toxic thinking, like fear and worry, can remove us from the here and now, causing us not to be present in our own lives. By learning to be G-d-conscious in each moment we are able to show up for each moment and to do so with courage and serenity.

The Jewish approach to happiness differs fundamentally from the way the world at large views it. Is happiness a goal or a means to a goal? Is happiness a right or an obligation?

Why did 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva all perish? What is a "love martyr"? How do we stop trying to control others and start loving them for who they are? Lessons in healthy, loving relationships from the author of the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai.

An appreciation of the spiritual roots of masculinity and femininity helps us to better understand the male-female dynamic as we know it. We ask how masculine and feminine paradigms are present in the higher realms and how they influence our relationships here in this world, particularly in marriage.

What is the most important quality for a person to have in order to be successful in their marriage? How do we make ourselves receptive to blessings in our marriage and in life in general?

What is the deeper meaning of kaddish as well as the other Jewish customs connected with death, grief, and mourning? This talk describes the connection between traditional Jewish mourning practices and the kabbalistic view of the journey of the soul. The significance of shiva (seven days of mourning) and shloshim (thirty days) is described as […]

What should you say and what should you not say? When are you helping and when are you making things worse? This talk, presented to rabbis and educators in Crown Heights, provides guidelines for those who act as "first responders" in advising people on resolving their own marital issues.

What single men can know about themselves as men now that will prepare them better for marriage in the future. What does it really mean to be a mashpia? What is the spiritual archetype of masculinity? Why do men need to get married in order to serve their G-d-given purpose in life? This talk was […]

An adult's relationship guide stressing the importance of healthy boundaries, self-respect, and emotional sobriety.

Which are greater? The Torah's positive commandments or its prohibitions? In this debate, Rabbi Manis Friedman argues for the do's and Rabbi Shais Taub argues for the dont's.

Various live demonstrations bring chasidic metaphors to life giving us a glimpse into the reality that there is truly only One.

In anticipation of 3 Tammuz, the yahrzeit of the Rebbe of blessed memory, a group gathers at the Ohel, the Rebbe's resting place, for "a meeting of souls" event.

What's more important--soul or body, spiritual or material? The answer lies in the paradox embodied by the Hebrew month of Sivan, the third month of the Jewish calendar. Particularly relevant to our generation is the day of 28 Sivan, when the Rebbe and Rebbetzin arrived in America. Excerpt of a farbrengen at Tiferes Bachurim's "Torah […]

Rabbi Taub addresses top professionals in the field of speechwriting at the European Speechwriters Conference at King's College of Cambridge University.

Over the millenia of Jewish history, Rabeinu Moshe ben Maimon HaSefardi remains a unique figure. This talk presents a brief biography of the Rambam followed by a look at some of his works and their effect on Jewish life today.

A history of the period of the Alter Rebbe's life leading up to his passing on 24 Teives, 5513 (1813 CE) during the Napoleonic Wars in Russia.

Can you see your child as a soul? In this guided meditation we try to align ourselves with the truth that our child is intrinsically worthy, infinitely worthy, and unconditionally worthy.

A special musical farbrengen in honor of 24 Teives, the anniversary of the passing of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. Rabbi Shais Taub is joined by Eli Marcus and guests.

On the occasion of the 100th yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rashab on 2 Nissan, we look at the tumultuous final days before his passing and his enduring legacy for all of us.

How can mothers of young children make the best use of the summer and some of the challenges it brings when the children are home? Rabbi Shais Taub speaks to the inaugural gathering of BRanches, an initiative to unite mothers of Bais Rivkah students.

Why do we prayer toward the Land of Israel? What is the advantage of praying a holy place? Are the places other than Israel that also afford us this advantage? Where on earth is heaven considered a "local call"? Rabbi Taub studies an excerpt from a talk by the Rebbe about the unique advantage of […]

Rabbi Shais Taub at the Evergreen Estates Women's Day of Learning addresses the topic of what our teens really need most from us today.

In honor of the month of Kislev, the month of the revelation of the inner dimension of Torah, Rabbi Shais Taub discusses how various mystical concepts from the kabbalah are applied practically through chasidus. These spiritual ideas, when implemented in day to day life, make up your "spiritual toolkit."

A discussion between brothers Shais and Dovid Taub about adopting a “Moshiach mindset” regarding modern social and political trends. Recorded for the Tut Altz learning program from Merkos 302.

Do your children know who they are? In this class, Rabbi Shais Taub explains how identity is the foundation of education. Other topics covered include: proper use of incentives and rewards, how to teach values to very young children, and what to do about children asking "deep" questions. This class was recorded at a gathering […]

Look at some of the fascinating similarities between these two great rabbis whose yahzreits are 20 and 24 Teives respectively.

In a presentation combining military strategy, European history, psychology, and kabbalah, Rabbi Shais Taub explains why the Alter Rebbe told his grandson the Tzemach Tzedek that the chasidic approach to personal refinement was actually based on the battle strategy of Prussian King Frederick the Great. In order to understand this cryptic statement, we delve into […]

Rabbi Taub addresses the Menachem Foundation’s Kinus Hamechanchos on their theme (The Advantage of Light from Dark) as it relates to Tu B’Av and seeing the potential within every child.

Rabbi Shais Taub speaks to parents of children in crisis about the need to adopt a spiritual view of one's children. Rabbi Taub discusses "unconditional pride" and what it means to see each child as a soul. (This talk was presented as a keynote presentation at the Kesher Nafshi retreat.)