Jewish Wisdom for Business & Life Levi Brackman

In the 50th episode of the "Jewish Wisdom for Business and Life" podcast, host Levi Brackman examines the process of reforming and understanding controversial aspects of tradition in a modern context. The primary example is the concept of the Sotah, or wayward wife, from the Talmud. This practice involved a wife suspected of infidelity being made to drink bitter waters, which would lead to her death if she had been unfaithful. Brackman highlights the inherent issues with this process, such as the unequal treatment of men and women, but also notes that the Talmud itself declares the practice obsolete.

Brackman then explores the broader topic of how societies and traditions handle outdated and problematic practices. He discusses the importance of examining, debating, and understanding these practices, even if they are no longer relevant. He emphasizes that these discussions are inherently valuable, reflecting a deep-rooted Jewish tradition of debate and study. The debates themselves serve a crucial role in shaping morality, fostering intellectual growth, and maintaining the richness of tradition.

He further articulates that it's essential to draw a line under certain practices without entirely discarding or negatively judging the tradition or the people who once practiced them. This perspective is demonstrated through his discussion of slavery both in the United States and within Jewish history.

Finally, Brackman draws parallels to the business world. He stresses the importance of organizations evolving and adapting to changing times while maintaining respect for their foundational principles and history. Failing to reform, he warns, can lead to obsolescence, as seen in examples like Kodak and Blockbuster. Thus, the wisdom extracted from Jewish traditions about reformation and debate holds significant relevance in contemporary life, business, and society.
Support the showLevi Brackman is a former rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In the 49th episode of the "Jewish Wisdom for Business and Life" podcast, host Levi Brackman discusses his personal journey with Judaism, timed to coincide with the festival of Shavuot, which marks the giving of the Torah.

Brackman explores his evolution from rabbi to business person, highlighting how his faith has changed over time. He shares his experiences growing up in a Hasidic household, where religious texts were paramount, and recalls the impact of Rabbi Schneerson's death on his beliefs.

During his journey, Brackman spent around five to seven years refining his understanding of Judaism, reaching a point where he doesn't view religion and the Torah as the ultimate "truth", but rather as a collection of meaningful "truths" that provide moral guidance. He uses the concept of kindness and the idea of a non-physical reality as examples of these truths, and mentions the challenges in discerning the ultimate truth, which he suggests science might bring us closer to, but doesn't own.

Brackman interprets the Bible's teaching to distance oneself from falsehoods as an argument against viewing it as absolute truth, and suggests that seeing its stories as conveying truths can mitigate many faith-related conflicts.

He concludes by sharing his current perspective on the Torah as a source of wisdom and cultural heritage, cautioning against presenting it as absolute truth due to potential conflicts with scientific facts. He ends with a teaser for the next episode, the final one of the current season, promising a review of Masechet Sotah and hinting at a fresh approach for the upcoming season.
Support the showLevi Brackman is a former rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this episode of Jewish Wisdom for Business and Life, host Levi Brackman delves deeper into the concept of passion and how it fuels our lives (seconf episode on the topic). This conversation contrasts other views of passion, like Mark Cuban's advice to "follow your effort," with Brackman's definition of passion as something that brings life, joy, and energy to everyday experiences.
The talk is not about fleeting interests like favorite TV shows or food, but a profound connection to something that provides a sense of flow and deeply enhances life quality. He clarifies that it isn't necessarily tied to one's livelihood, but something essential to one's life.

Brackman shares insights from his previous career running the Youth Directions organization, helping young people discover their passion and purpose. He sheds light on the confusion people, especially youngsters, often face when identifying their passion.

The podcast provides practical ways to identify what sparks passion, from exploring childhood experiences to seeking insights from others who have seen you in action. Brackman also discusses how observing others' activities and recognizing what evokes a sense of excitement or intrigue can lead to identifying latent passions.

This episode is a guide to finding and then tapping into and nurturing passions that might be just a small spark now but have the potential to grow into a significant part of your life, even forming a life purpose. Whether you're seeking to reignite your passion or trying to identify it, this episode can guide you to a more fulfilling and passion-fueled life.
Support the showLevi Brackman is a former rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this episode of "Jewish Wisdom for Business and Life Podcast," host Levi Brackman explores the concept of passion and its role in our personal and professional lives. Addressing conflicting advice on whether or not to follow your passion, Brackman acknowledges the arguments of successful figures like Mark Cuban and Cal Newport, the author of "So Good They Can't Ignore You," who suggest focusing on effort and skills rather than passion while recognizing the camp that encourages following one's passion, including figures like Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama.
Brackman then delves into the common understanding of passion and the reasons why some people might discourage others from following theirs. He argues that the term "passion" is often misunderstood as something that simply brings enjoyment or adrenaline, rather than a deeper, more meaningful pursuit. He brings up the concept of "flow" as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a state of being so engrossed in an activity that nothing else matters. He posits that such activities that bring joy, energy, and a state of flow should not be ignored in one's life.


Using himself as an example, Levi explains how his passion for communicating valuable ideas led him to various outlets, including writing, podcasting, and entrepreneurship. He emphasizes that everyone has something that can ignite this kind of passion, though it might take time and life experience to discover it. He criticizes the advice against following passion, arguing that it stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept.


In conclusion, Levi argues that passion—understood as a deep-seated source of joy and flow—is crucial for a fulfilling life. While it may not necessarily be a source of income, it's an essential part of self-expression and personal satisfaction. In the next episode, Levi will discuss how to identify one's passion, thereby giving listeners a pathway to bring more of this fulfilling state into their lives.


Levi Brackman is a former rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this podcast episode, Levi Brackman discusses the meaning of life and the difference between subjective and objective meanings. The meaning in life is subjectively what makes a person's life meaningful, such as spending time with family, friends, and engaging in work or volunteering. However, the meaning of life is a larger concept, encompassing the reasons behind the world's existence and the purpose of humanity.
Brackman acknowledges the human need for an idea of the meaning of life, as life can be difficult and full of suffering. Having a greater purpose or reason can make it all seem worthwhile. However, he also acknowledges that imposing one's own belief of the meaning of life on others can be problematic, especially in today's interconnected world where people from different backgrounds and beliefs interact regularly.
The challenge, then, is finding a way to have a personal belief in the meaning of life without imposing it on others, and recognizing that others may have different beliefs. This involves a certain level of humility and tolerance, and understanding that having different meanings of life doesn't necessarily mean that one person's belief is more valid than another's.
Brackman concludes by discussing the concept of knowledge, both in the biblical sense of deep connection and in the scientific sense of objective evidence. He suggests that the meaning of life may not be objective knowledge, but rather a deep connection with a particular belief or idea. This allows for different meanings of life to coexist without necessarily contradicting each other, as long as individuals approach these beliefs with humility and tolerance.
Support the showLevi Brackman is a former rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

Historically, people relied on supernatural explanations for physical phenomena, attributing cause to gods or God. However, over the last 150 years, the scientific method has led to disenchantment, where people understand the underlying mechanics of events and prioritize scientific explanations over spiritual ones. 

In this episode of The Jewish Wisdom For Business and Life podcast, host Levi Brackman discusses transitioning from an enchanted world of magical thinking to a disenchanted world driven by scientific explanations.

Levi acknowledges that even religious individuals have experienced this shift towards disenchantment, with fewer people engaging in magical thinking. Despite this trend, he contends that enchantment and magical thinking have positive aspects, as they have been part of human existence for most of history. He explores the drawbacks of extreme disenchantment experienced in the Western world, which have led to a decline in spirituality and dismissal of anything that cannot be explained scientifically. On the other end of the spectrum, some still live an entirely enchanted life, attributing all phenomena to God.

The podcast encourages listeners to consider the benefits and drawbacks of both enchantment and disenchantment and the importance of finding a balance between the two extremes. Levi emphasizes the importance of recognizing what we know and what remains unknowable and suggests that embracing some enchantment can lead to a more fulfilling life. Disenchantment is relatively new, and the long-term effects of living in a disenchanted world are unknown. A life devoid of enchantment can make life seem meaningless, as everything is explained by empirical evidence. Believing in something greater than ourselves can provide a sense of purpose.

Individuals can cultivate a more meaningful existence by believing in the potential for a more significant impact and having humility about the limits of our knowledge. The podcast ultimately suggests that navigating the complexities of enchantment and disenchantment is crucial for leading an honest, fulfilling, and purposeful life.
Levi Brackman is a former rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.