35 episodes
Self-Control Through Torah New Books Network
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- Religion & Spirituality
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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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.
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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 parshah also features the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), the laws of Sotah (Num. 5:1-31), and a host of lessons on the middah of Zerizut, or Diligence, for individuals and communities, in relation to each other and to God. We hope you enjoy!
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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 community, in order to pursue it? And, on another note: what explains the Jewish aversion to being counted?These are just some of the questions Modya and David explore in this week's episode, in which they look at parshat Bamidbar (Num. 1:1-4:20). We hope you enjoy!
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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 Bechukotai, the final Torah portion in the Book of Leviticus (26:3-27:24). In this portion, God delineates the good that will come of following divine laws and commandments -- and the ills that will befall Israel if they turn away. The hosts explore how diligence in following divine will can keep our selves, our communities, and our world in balance. We hope you enjoy!
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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 the self and community but also our orientation to the land and ultimately the Divine. In an agrarian culture, land represented economy and so the focus on letting the land lay fallow (shemitah and yoval) equated to frugality with finances.
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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 how frugality in action needs to match an inner authentic orientation.
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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 question: what do the priestly and ethical laws teach us about stewardship of our resources, both as individuals and as members of a community living in a covenanted relationship to each other and to God? We hope you enjoy!
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