Mindfully Jewish Janne Lissa, MD

Mindfully Jewish, episode #11. A thought before Rosh Hashanah
a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

Mindfully Jewish, episode #10. Towards the New Year
a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

Mindfully Jewish, episode #9. Living truthfully: a word is a word
a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

Today we elaborate on a very important topic that we have previously discussed: vows and oaths, and their importance for living truthfully: a topic which has previously been discussed in episode 4 on parshios matos and masei.

Our sages teach us that the word נדבה refers to a free-willed ‘gift’, something that we are fully willfully taking upon ourselves. The Rashbam therefore also comments that it refers back to hishava sh’vu’ah which is the taking of an oath, not necessarily to yidor neder taking an oath. As Shlomo haMelech wrote in Koheles: ט֖וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־תִדֹּ֑ר מִשֶׁתִּדּ֖וֹר וְלֹ֥א תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃
It is better not to vow at all than to vow and not fulfill.

But what is the point of making a vow? And why is it so important to be mindful with the words we utter? 

Mindfully Jewish, episode #8. Introspective work before teshuvah
a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

During the month of Elul, we go through a transitional process from the months of the previous year towards the highly spiritual days Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Cheshbon haNevesh and teshuvah are very difficult, deeply soul-searching processes that are easily forgotten in our busy day to day lifes. In this weeks episode, we discuss the meaning of introspection and teshuvah. What does introspection teach us? How does it lead to motivaiton to change our behaviour? And how can we deduct this from the very word teshuvah?

Elul is our calling for teshuvah: the time to work on our introspection and set the course for the future. וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתַי
It's never to late to start now. 

Mindfully Jewish, episode #7. Repentance and the choices that shape our lives
a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD


As we come close to the Jewish month of Elul, this weeks parshat reminds us of the choice we have to choose for blessings or curses. As Sforno explains: You have the choice of both before you: all you have to do is make a choice.
In this episode, we touch upon the teachings of two prominents in the world of psychology, doctor Edith Eger and doctor Viktor Frankl. Both relating to the importance of our choices and our free will towards a meaningful life. What does the introspective process of Elul mean to us? How can we reflect? And what steps are taken for true teshuvah? How can we really do cheshbon hanefesh? This episode may give you some things to further think about.

Mindfully Jewish, episode #6. With all your heart and all your soul.
a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

Based on this weeks Parshat, in which Moshe speaks the words which are arguably the most famous in all our writings:
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד:
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָֽבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖
we discuss the mind-body connection based on the Kabbalistic teachings as recorded in the Holy Zohar. What is the duality between the body and the soul? And why do we need both in order to live a meaningful life?