The Shmuz

Why does life feel like a constant tug-of-war between what the body wants and what the soul knows is right? In this foundational class on Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier explains that Hashem created man from two opposing forces, the guf and the neshamah, and that this inner conflict is not a bug, it's the very purpose of life. With awesome clarity, he explores why beauty and misery can exist side by side, and why this world was not designed for comfort, but for growth and spiritual accomplishment. If you’ve ever wondered why life is so hard, this class will give you a startling perspective that changes everything.  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

Why do small temptations feel harmless in the moment, but later seem impossible to break free from? In this shocking class, Rabbi Shafier explores the yetzer hara not as a sudden force that overwhelms, but as a slow, strategic trap. What begins like a delicate spider web can slowly tighten into a rope that controls a person’s choices. Drawing on a powerful Gemara, he reveals the striking difference between how the righteous and the wicked perceive the same struggle, and why recognizing the yetzer hara early is the key to protecting your life and your values. Crazy practical and full of sharp insight, this class will strengthen your ability to master temptation before it masters you.  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 Vayechi- A Ben Olam HaBa Every painful drop of suffering in olam hazeh has the potential to change your everlasting eternity. So why, in this week’s parsha, does Yaakov Avinu long for more tranquility? We know that our Avos wanted nothing more than to serve Hashem in total sincerity- if Yaakov Avinu wanted shalva, it was only to enhance his avodas Hashem. Hashem answers that his appreciation for olam haba was lacking. Does that mean that Yaakov Avinu wasn’t the ultimate ben olam haba? Given over with Rabbi Shafier’s trademark lucidity, this Shmuz delivers a contemporary perspective on the purpose of hardships in this world. Listen in to discover: -Why you gain from your nisayonos - What’s expected of you - How Hashem set up this world as a training ground, so you can receive your ultimate reward in the World to Come.  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 week’s parsha we learn of Yosef’s impeccable honesty, going above his obligation as viceroy and personally overseeing every sale during the years of famine. Although his behavior went above and beyond, as Torah Jews we can certainly use Yosef’s yashrus as an inspiration for our own business dealings. In this shmuz, Rabbi Shafier discusses some common pitfalls that can occur when in the workplace or handling money, and has a sobering message for those who think they could never be guilty of gezel.  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 could Dovid HaMelech, a man of towering spirituality, learning, and devotion, fall so painfully? In this gripping class, Rabbi Shafier unpacks one of the most troubling episodes in Tanach, revealing how even the greatest among us are tested precisely at their weakest point. Through the story of Dovid and Batsheva, he explores the nature of the yetzer hara and the role of the Soton as a master strategist, tailor-making challenges to each person’s vulnerabilities. With clarity and depth, Rabbi Shafier shows that this isn’t a story of failure alone, but a timeless lesson in self-awareness, humility, and the absolute necessity of turning to Hashem for help. Honest, sobering, and deeply relevant, this class offers essential tools for recognizing temptation before it takes hold, and for rising stronger when we are tested.  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

Why do our best attempts to correct others so often make things worse? In this powerful class, Rabbi Shafier explores the “righting reflex”, the instinct to fix what we see as wrong, and reveals how it’s rooted in a deep inner conflict that began with Adam’s sin and continues to shape our struggles today. Through the lens of the Derech Hashem, Rabbi Shafier offers practical, sometimes uncomfortable exercises that retrain the mind and heart to think and feel correctly, shifting the focus from fixing others to refining ourselves. Insightful, honest, and deeply practical, this class invites you to rethink personal growth and makes a compelling case for why real change starts within. 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

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

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

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

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

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 week’s parsha, Rashi explains how the lives of tzadikim, beloved to Hashem, are described in detail in the Torah. This is in contrast to reshaim like Eisav whose lives are not dwelt upon. Rashi compares the reshaim to ‘rocks’, something that is discarded when searching for a gem in the sand. The implication is that a life of evil is as worthless as a rock. What is the value of a human life? Although the chemical composition of man is worth little more than $980, in the Torah’s eyes, a life is invaluable. But are you living your best life? How can you be sure you’re not ‘living like a rock’, going through the motions of life but not adding anything of lasting value? Your potential in ruchnius is unlimited. You are a neshama with infinite potential. This shmuz will give you the focus you need to ensure your actions are purposeful and your life is one of meaning.   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

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

Hashem is Here Yaakov walked with Hashem. He achieved an enviable closeness with Ha Kodesh Baruch Hu, understanding that He is present and involved in every aspect of creation. How can you integrate this truth into your own life? How can you speak to Hashem and really feel that He’s listening, that He’s real and right here with you? In this hands-on shmuz, Rabbi Shafier presents you with an irresistible idea on how you can reach incredible heights in your own avodas Hashem. He also gives you three actionable suggestions on how to improve the quality of your davening and provides plenty of chizuk to get you started.  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

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

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

We learn in this week’s parsha that Yaakov Avinu was saved from Lavan’s murderous intentions in the merit of his hard work. Not because of his unfathomable yiras shamayim, not because of his avodas Hashem, not because he was the son of Yitzchak and the grandson of Avraham. Hard work. Something we can all relate to. Something that occupies many, many hours of our time throughout our lives. Why does Hashem see work as such a zechus? Why weren’t we created with our needs easily met, allowing us to focus purely on mitzvos and limud haTorah?In the Merit of Work unravels how the everyday challenges of the workplace are no accident. Those late paychecks, irritating colleagues and daily grind are all designed to test us, strengthen us and move us forward in our ruchnius. This week, discover how your workplace can become the perfect place for spiritual prosperity and growth. Your nine to five will never be the same again.  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

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

By the age of fifteen, Eisav had already killed a man, lived with a married woman, denied the Torah and renounced mitzvos, techias hameisim and olam haba. Devoid of morality, it seems puzzling that he was so careful to honor his father Yitzchak. In this captivating Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier tackles the subject of appreciation. Tune in to discover why kibud av was so instinctive to Eisav, how we can get better at it in our own lives and why hakaras hatov is our ticket to a meaningful 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

A frank strategy and plan for conquering desire. 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