Reb Leibish Hundert Weekly

Why does the Torah follow the Ten Commandments with laws about property and damages? Rav Leibish Hundert (Rosh Yeshiva of Simchat Shlomo) reveals the inner light hidden within the "social" laws of Mishpatim.With the joy of Adar on the horizon, this shiur dives into the concept of Na'aseh V'Nishmah—the radical "Yes" we give to life before we even understand the details. Discover how the Half-Shekel of Shabbat Shekalim teaches us that our greatest strength lies in our vulnerability and our commitment to the collective.Jewish, Torah, Chassidut, Rav Leibish Hundert, Simchat Shlomo, Parshat Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim, Jewish Spirituality, Meshiv Nafshi.Recorded Feb 12, 2026

Why do we often only turn to prayer when we are either desperate or deeply inspired? In this soul-stirring shiur, Rav Leibish Hundert explores the concept of Tamid—the power of constancy in our relationship with Hashem.Drawing from the text Darchei HaYichud, Rav Leibish compares the practice of Hisbodedus to a "Bayis" (a home) and a marriage. Just as a home is a place you return to in every mood, and a marriage is a commitment that transcends fleeting emotions, our spiritual practice should be a constant "living spring" rather than a "failing river."Key highlights include:The Art of Constancy: Moving beyond "needing" a miracle to simply "being" at home with the Divine.Speaking To vs. Speaking About: How to transition from intellectualizing God to having a real, intimate conversation.The Pregnant Silence: Why having nothing to say in Hisbodedus is actually a sign of deep spiritual maturity and intimacy.The Legacy of Esther: Understanding how longing can be a more powerful merit than even the most perfect actions.Join Rav Leibish for a deep dive into the heart of Chassidic meditation and learn how to lower the bar for entry so that you can "enter always."Recorded Feb 3, 2026

This week, we’re diving into Page 49 of the Siman Yud, specifically looking at Rebbe Nachman’s Torah 33. We’ve all had those moments where we feel totally disconnected—maybe you're stuck in a boring business deal, grinding through a 45-minute bus ride in the heat, or even just scrolling through your phone at 3 AM feeling like you should be doing something "holier."The big takeaway from this session is that there’s no such thing as an empty space. We talk about the idea of Levushim—the "enclothings" or garments that God hides in. Whether it’s the exquisite detail of French culture or the messy physicality of our own bad habits, God is actually in the middle of it, waiting for us to notice. We discuss why we don't need to "call in sick" to our lives just to find a spiritual connection and why the "wrapper" of the physical world is actually there to help us grow, not to keep us out.Some highlights from the talk:The French Restaurant Story: What tiny portions and fancy sauces can teach us about Divine detail.The "Piranha Tank": Staying connected while swimming in the "dog-eat-dog" business world.Spiritual Confidence: Why God wants to meet you on the floor of a crowded bus, not just in a sanctuary.The iPhone Miracles: Seeing the lights and sounds of technology through a different lens.

We’re looking at a fascinating Gemara in Menachos 99b this week that asks a pretty relatable question: How much Torah do you actually have to learn to count as "continually" connected? Is saying the Shema in the morning and at night enough to hit the mark?The conversation gets into what we call the "Yitro Revolution." We talk about why the ego—the constant need to be the "best" or to compare our learning to the guy next to us—is actually the biggest thing holding us back. Using the story of Yitro (the ultimate outsider) and Moshe’s decision to personally serve him dinner, we explore why real Kabbalas HaTorah is actually about humility and "face-dancing" (smiling). It’s a deep look at why Mount Sinai shouldn't stay on a mountain, but needs to land right in the middle of your living room, your office, and your messy daily life.What we get into:Why "a little bit" of Torah is more powerful than you think.The connection between Yitro’s tattoos and Moshe’s humility.The "Plumber vs. Engineer" analogy for spiritual growth.Why the world is actually just one big dance.

Hitbodedut. Recorded Jan 27, 2026.

Recorded Jan 25, 2026.

Reb Shlomo Carlebach wasn't performing — he was remembering out loud.In this shiur, Rav Leibish Hundert reflects on Shlomo Carlebach’s way of opening the heart through song, simplicity, and emotional honesty. Not stories about Carlebach, but an entry point into his inner avodah — how a niggun bypasses the mind, how brokenness becomes warmth, and how a Jew can return without speeches or explanations.This is about music as teshuvah, melody as truth, and why Carlebach’s songs still know things about us that we don’t know how to say.Listen slowly. Let the song do the work.

Gut shabbos!

If you’re waiting to “feel inspired” before you do hisbodedus, you’ll never start.This is a Hisbodedus Series shiur from Rav Leibish Hundert on what it looks like to actually show up—day after day—and speak honestly to Hashem from wherever you are right now. Not the version of you that’s calm, clear, and spiritually “on,” but the version dealing with pressure, distraction, resistance, and noise.A practical, Meshiv Nafshi–style reset on making hisbodedus real: consistent, simple, and connected—especially when you don’t have the words.

Purim isn’t about clarity—it’s about loyalty when clarity disappears.In this shiur, Rav Leibish explores how Hashem is most present דווקא when events feel random, upside-down, and emotionally confusing. Through the Megillah, hiddenness, and inner עבודה, he reframes Purim as training for real life: staying connected when you don’t see the plan, don’t feel inspired, and don’t understand what’s happening.A Meshiv Nafshi–style Purim shiur about emunah without fireworks, simcha that isn’t performative, and finding Hashem inside the mess.

When the soul feels constricted, the avodah becomes quieter — and more real.In this Meshiv Nafshi shiur , Rav Leibish Hundert explores the inner experience of exile and the spiritual work that emerges specifically from constriction, confusion, and hiddenness.Rather than focusing on open miracles or dramatic redemption, this shiur turns inward — toward the avodah of remaining connected when clarity is absent and Hashem feels distant. Mitzrayim becomes not only a place in history, but a state of the soul, where identity is tested and faith is refined.Rav Hundert shows how the beginnings of geulah take root beneath the surface: through humility, inner honesty, and the quiet decision not to abandon one’s connection even when nothing feels revealed.This shiur offers deep chizuk for anyone navigating spiritual heaviness, waiting, or inner exile — and invites the listener to discover how Hashem is present even there.#jewishlearning

The beginning of redemption is almost invisible — and that’s the point.In this Meshiv Nafshi–style shiur on Parshas Shemos, Rav Leibish Hundert guides us into the inner world of exile: a place where clarity is lost, Hashem feels hidden, and the soul is tested not through greatness, but through endurance.This parsha is not only about Mitzrayim — it is about what happens inside a person when identity feels fragile and purpose feels distant. Rav Hundert reveals how redemption begins quietly, through humility, perseverance, and the refusal to let go of one’s inner name even in darkness.Moshe’s reluctance, the hidden courage of ordinary Jews, and the absence of open miracles all point to a deeper truth: Hashem is closest when He is most concealed — and the work we do in those moments is itself the beginning of geulah.This shiur invites deep listening, reflection, and chizuk for anyone navigating spiritual constriction and longing for inner freedom.Themes explored:Hiddenness as a space for avodahPreserving inner identity during exileMoshe’s humility as a spiritual modelQuiet acts of faith that precede redemptionFinding Hashem when nothing feels revealed#jewishlearning

Faith isn't a feeling; it’s a vessel. Rav Leibish Hundert explores the core of Maimar Ha'emuna, teaching that true connection with Hashem often begins at "wit's end." From the example of Avraham Avinu to the "Shabbos of spiritual darkness," learn how to practice hisbodedus by stripping away the intellect and simply receiving the Divine presence. Recorded Jan 6, 2026.

Gut Purim!Recorded Jan 5, 2026.

Good shabbos!

From Meshiv Nafshi.

Happy Chanukah!

A freilichin Chanukah!#jewish #jewishholiday #hanukah

Gut Purim!Recorded Dec 1, 2025

Gut Purim!Recorded December 8, 2025.