The Shmuz

Mordechai’s timings were extraordinary. He demanded that Esther risk her life and approach Achashverosh, even though Achashverosh was about to summon her. He refused to delay a national taanis, and instead called for Klal Yisroel to fast from the first day of Pesach, forgoing the zechus and mitzvas aseh of achilas matzah. What was Mordechai’s cheshbon? And what does his reasoning teach you for your own 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

How precise is Hashem’s justice? In this powerful class, Rabbi Shafier takes you to Kriyas Yam Suf and shows how every single Egyptian was judged differently, with each punishment calibrated with impossible precision. From there, he opens up a life-changing understanding: Hashem didn’t just create the world, He is actively maintaining it every second, orchestrating every detail with absolute control. Using vivid mashalim like a dream, virtual reality, and the cloud, Rabbi Shafier explains what it really means that Hashem is the energy source of all existence and that nothing happens outside His will. Once you hear this, you won’t look at “coincidences” the same way again. THE SHMUZ LIVE IS EVERY WEDS 2PM EST. GO TO THESHMUZ.COM FOR THE LINK 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

Most people think Hashem created the world and then stepped back. In this eye-opening class, Rabbi Shafier explains why that idea couldn’t be more wrong. He breaks down how Hashem is not only judging the world, but actively powering it every second, meaning every thought, choice, and action is happening inside His system. Using clear, relatable analogies, including a video-game model of how reality actually works, Rabbi Shafier shows why your effort and tefillah genuinely change outcomes, even in a world Hashem fully controls. This class brings clarity to how judgment really works and leaves you with a much stronger sense of responsibility, meaning, and connection in your daily 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

The Jewish contribution to mankind is astounding. In every industry, in every profession, the Jewish people consistently play a significant role, far surpassing our tiny population. It’s clear that we are the am segula, the messengers for revealed good in the world. Nevertheless, our gan eden isn’t dependent on whether we are chess champions or nuclear physicists. The Torah teaches us that our olam haba will be built upon how much we choose to connect to the Ribbono shel Olam in this world. Our constant, unrelenting challenge of life is that our souls are distracted, pulled by our nefesh habahami to indulge in the here and now. The antidote? Limud HaTorah. Through limud haTorah, we are able to connect with the Eternal and discover the part of us that craves transcendence. In this week’s podcast, learn how to ignite your neshama through the joy of learning and gain a genuine Torah outlook on what “tikkun olam” really means.  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 the first class on Megillas Esther, Rabbi Shafier explains how the Megillah begins- the history, the context, and the background of the story. Learn why Achashverosh was reluctant to kill his queen, the motivations behind Haman’s bizarre marriage advice, and how incredible hashgacha pratis was evident from the very beginning. This perek-by-perek series will transform your experience of krias Megillah and give a new depth of knowledge to a familiar tale.  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 this powerful and sobering class, Rabbi Shafier explains how a person’s decisions can shape their eternal destiny, and outlines the different layers of Divine judgment: in this world on Rosh Hashanah, at the moment of death, and the final accounting before Olam Haba. Rabbi Shafier also clarifies the purpose of suffering, Gehenom as spiritual cleansing, and the severe consequences reserved for the most destructive lives. With striking depth, he distinguishes between the “internal system” of personal growth and the “external system” of how our actions affect others, while emphasizing the enduring power of teshuvah and compassion for those who never truly had the chance to know better. This class is intense, clarifying, and impossible to ignore. 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

Your ability to choose is what makes you marvellously human- capable of reaching the sublime or crashing into the garbage heap of humanity. In the first of a brand new Shmuz Live, Rabbi Shafier addresses the delicate tight rope you walk each day. Will you control your thoughts, or will your thoughts control you? If you think you know the answer, you definitely need to hear this shmuz. 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 this haunting and deeply thought-provoking class, Rabbi Shafier explores the tragic story of Elisha ben Avuya, a towering sage who, after a profound spiritual experience, fell into heresy. Drawing from the Gemara’s account of the four who entered Pardes, Rabbi Shafier shows how only Rabbi Akiva emerged whole, while others were broken in devastating ways. Elisha’s downfall, rooted in a fatal misunderstanding of a heavenly message, becomes a powerful lesson about how spiritual confusion can lead a person astray. The class also confronts the difference between superficial regret and genuine teshuvah, emphasizing that true repentance must come from the deepest sincerity. Sobering, intense, and filled with timeless insight, this session leaves the listener reflecting on the stakes of spiritual integrity and the enduring hope for redemption.  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

Live your truth. Love is love. You do you. You’re worth it. Just do it. These are some of the phrases common in today’s culture. The problem is, they are completely at odds with Torah hashkafa.   Lo sachmod beis rayecha. Lo sachmod aishes rayecha. Do not desire your friend’s house. Do not desire your friend’s wife. In fact, don’t desire anything that belongs to him. So says the aseres hadibros in this week’s parsha. But why not? Society cries. “How can I deny my feelings? Why should I oppress my love for this person?” And even in the frum world, “Why shouldn’t I have the house I want, the car I want? Afterall, my parents should buy me a house, I can take a loan for the car…” This week's podcast invites you to embrace a complete paradigm shift. The Torah says you can and must control your thinking, your emotions and your actions. Even if you see yourself as insignificant, you are held accountable to a high standard. So how can you train your brain to become more elevated, more holy and simply a nicer person? Catch this week’s episode and prepare to become a better version of 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

Great people don’t rely on willpower alone, they plan for their weaknesses. In this class, Rabbi Shafier shows how Yaakov Avinu, despite his towering level, knew exactly where he was vulnerable and prepared for it. Running from Esav and heading into Lavan’s world, Yaakov didn’t trust himself to “just be strong,” he made strategies, boundaries, and a deal with Hashem. The takeaway is sharp and practical: we absorb the behavior of the people around us, so if you don’t manage your triggers, they will manage you. This class is a masterclass in emotional control, planning ahead, and building the support you need to stay true to who you want to be.  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

Free will isn’t simple, and it was never meant to be. In this class, Rabbi Shafier breaks down how Hashem designed human beings to build themselves through layers of choice, shaping who they become forever. From the pull of the animal soul, to character traits, life circumstances, and the unique load each person carries, he shows why everyone’s struggle looks different. Even pain has a purpose, either to wake a person up or to clean them out. This class gives you a clear framework for understanding your challenges, and why the exact life you’re living is the one you need to grow.  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

Parshas Beshalach- People Believe What They Want to Believe The Mitzrim endured the makos, witnessed krias yam suf and were prevented from attacking B’nei Yisroel by the impenetrable cloud of glory. These events form the basis of our emunah system, and yet they didn’t seem to have such a profound effect on the people living in Egypt. Until the bitter end, they denied Hashem’s control over every facet of physicality. Unfortunately, we can also be guilty of living like a Mitzri. The gift of bechirah means we are capable of denying the nissim in our own lives and often refuse to acknowledge the wonders of creation. Our imaginations tempt us to deny what our neshamas instinctively know to be true, and our egos loathe to be wrong. In this electrifying shmuz, Rabbi Shafier urges you to look at the world without an agenda, consider the intricacies inherent in creation and acknowledge Hashem’s hand in every aspect of the universe.   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

No less than nineteen mitzvos focus on Yetzias Mitzrayim. From Mezuzahs to Tefillin to Shema, we are commanded to remember the events in this week’s parsha. Why does it form the bedrock of our faith? As the Ramban explains, Hashem isn’t in the business of making everyday miracles. There was one moment in history where we clearly saw Hashem as real, present and maintaining every single aspect of existence. This is deeply relevant to you. By learning how Hashem is in control of the big picture, you can also come to see His involvement in the small details of your own life as well. By discovering the fifth and sixth levels of emunah you can step away from your physical confines, see beyond the limits of nature and begin to view Creation in a dramatic new light.   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 matter more than you think. In this class, Rabbi Shafier unpacks the creation of man and why the malachim questioned whether humanity should even exist. The reason is simple and heavy: human actions don’t just affect personal life, they move the entire spiritual system. Using sharp, relatable analogies like home-court advantage in sports, Rabbi Shafier shows how your role, your capacity, and your everyday choices carry real weight. This class will change how seriously you take the small things, because in the spiritual world, nothing you do is small.   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 this class, Rabbi Shafier shows how real willpower is built, starting with Rabbi Akiva, who held onto his emunah even while being tortured to death. He then connects it straight to real life, including the famous Stanford marshmallow test, proving that the ability to delay gratification predicts long-term success. The message is clear: willpower isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a muscle you train. Build it, and everything else in life gets easier to control.  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

To beat taiva, you need solid strategy, the celebration of small victories and plenty of siyata d'shamaya. You cannot, must not, rely on willpower alone. If you're serious about Shovavim and getting a grip on yourself, listen now to see how real downfalls happen, and how real greatness is built.   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

Before Moshe and Aron approach Paroh, Hashem cautions the brothers to treat Paroh with honor. Paroh, who took a daily bath in the blood of Jewish babies, who enslaved and tormented us throughout the shibud. It begs the obvious question: Why the need for respect?In this Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier makes a clear distinction between the rasha that was Paroh and the institution of malchus. We are instructed to respect the government under which we live, even if it is contrary to our own political leanings. Bringing fascinating examples from modern-day America, Rabbi Shafier demonstrates just how much hakaras hatov we owe the United States, and cautions us to ensure that our own behavior falls in line with Torah values.   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 everything you see in the physical world is only the surface layer of a much deeper spiritual reality? In this fascinating class based on Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier explores the idea that every physical entity has a spiritual counterpart that sustains it and directs its existence. Using the moon and stars as a vivid example, he reveals how the unseen spiritual world orchestrates everything we experience. With striking metaphors, Rabbi Shafier shows how your actions create nuclear-level, spiritual impact and shape the world far more than we realize. Insightful, mind-expanding, and deeply motivating, this class will make you rethink what your choices truly accomplish and why they matter so much.  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 happens when a person gives in to desire so completely that it becomes part of who they are? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier revisits the chilling story of Titus, the destroyer of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and the haunting punishment that followed him for seven years. But the lesson goes far beyond history. With a sharp, unforgettable analogy, Rabbi Shafier explains how unchecked desires don’t just lead to bad choices, they can reshape a person’s very essence, like a diamond that appears flawless on the outside while hiding deep internal cracks. He then offers a powerful framework for fighting back, showing how the struggle itself is what reveals your true self, like a laser cutting away what doesn’t belong. Deep, thought-provoking, and intensely practical, this class will change the way you understand temptation and what’s truly at stake in your inner battles.  What happens when a person gives in to desire so completely that it becomes part of who they are? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier revisits the chilling story of Titus, the destroyer of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and the haunting punishment that followed him for seven years. But the lesson goes far beyond history. With a sharp, unforgettable analogy, Rabbi Shafier explains how unchecked desires don’t just lead to bad choices, they can reshape a person’s very essence, like a diamond that appears flawless on the outside while hiding deep internal cracks. He then offers a powerful framework for fighting back, showing how the struggle itself is what reveals your true self, like a laser cutting away what doesn’t belong. Deep, thought-provoking, and intensely practical, this class will change the way you understand temptation and what’s truly at stake in your inner battles.  What happens when a person gives in to desire so completely that it becomes part of who they are? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier revisits the chilling story of Titus, the destroyer of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and the haunting punishment that followed him for seven years. But the lesson goes far beyond history. With a sharp, unforgettable analogy, Rabbi Shafier explains how unchecked desires don’t just lead to bad choices, they can reshape a person’s very essence, like a diamond that appears flawless on the outside while hiding deep internal cracks. He then offers a powerful framework for fighting back, showing how the struggle itself is what reveals your true self, like a laser cutting away what doesn’t belong. Deep, thought-provoking, and intensely practical, this class will change the way you understand temptation and what’s truly at stake in your inner battles.  What happens when a person gives in to desire so completely that it becomes part of who they are? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier revisits the chilling story of Titus, the destroyer of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and the haunting punishment that followed him for seven years. But the lesson goes far beyond history. With a sharp, unforgettable analogy, Rabbi Shafier explains how unchecked desires don’t just lead to bad choices, they can reshape a person’s very essence, like a diamond that appears flawless on the outside while hiding deep internal cracks. He then offers a powerful framework for fighting back, showing how the struggle itself is what reveals your true self, like a laser cutting away what doesn’t belong. Deep, thought-provoking, and intensely practical, this class will change the way you understand temptation and what’s truly at stake in your inner battles.  What happens when a person gives in to desire so completely that it becomes part of who they are? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier revisits the chilling story of Titus, the destroyer of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and the haunting punishment that followed him for seven years. But the lesson goes far beyond history. With a sharp, unforgettable analogy, Rabbi Shafier explains how unchecked desires don’t just lead to bad choices, they can reshape a person’s very essence, like a diamond that appears flawless on the outside while hiding deep internal cracks. He then offers a powerful framework for fighting back, showing how the struggle itself is what reveals your true self, like a laser cutting away what doesn’t belong. Deep, thought-provoking, and intensely practical, this class will change the way you understand temptation and what’s truly at stake in your inner battles.  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 are also meant to internalize that Hashem is directly involved in your own life and knows what is best for you. Many of our problems with bitachon stem from the fact that we think 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