Spiritual insights and related practical exercises arising from the Hebrew calendar or weekly Torah portion. Hosted by Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein, founder of Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS).
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Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein Podcasts
An audio documentary about my quest to unearth my Jewish roots by diving head-first into life’s trickiest questions.
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Thank you for listening to all five episodes of "Shofar, So Good!" Today, we're featuring a bonus episode of the podcast "Martini Judaism," in which Kate was a guest. The show, hosted by Rabbi Jeff Salkin, is for people who want to be shaken and stirred. Episodes are well-produced, deep, and thought-provoking. Listen to Martini Judaism wherever you…
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BONUS: A conversation on 'Being Jewish' with Jonah Platt
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Jonah Platt is a multi-talented activist and performer whose work's taken him from Broadway ("Wicked"), to Hollywood ("Being the Ricardos") to -- most recently -- the world of podcasting. Jonah's the host of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, a podcast that highlights the range of Jewish identity and voices. This is one of Shofar, So Good's bonus episo…
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BONUS: A conversation with Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein
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Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein was the perfect person to talk to as I was grappling with what it meant to be Jewish. He's a rabbi, educator, meditation teacher, MC/poet and director of Applied Jewish Spirituality, an online portal that brings the tradition's spiritual wisdom to life. Among his other accomplishments: He's a cofounder of Lines of F…
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BONUS: A conversation with Rabbi Victor Urecki
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Early on in my career, I packed my bags and moved to West Virginia to work as a journalist. That’s where I first met Rabbi Victor Urecki, rabbi at B’nai Jacob Synagogue. I immediately appreciated who he was within the walls of the synagogue, but outside — Rabbi Urecki engaged with the community, often in interfaith conversations, consistently as a …
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The forces that’ve kept me from Judaism, including interfaith marriage and anti-semitism, are not unique to my family. But they have uniquely kept me from being Jewish. In this episode, I try to learn where Judaism was lost in my family, and why it might be more difficult than expected to reclaim my heritage. This episode is about what it means to …
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One of the traditions that’s most drawn me to Judaism is the annual tradition of reflection and atonement. Turns out, that's kind of daunting. But it might make us better people in the end. In this episode, I talk to three rabbis about what it means to atone. Then, I talk to my younger sister about how her life experiences made her incredibly comfo…
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In this episode, I learn about how we mourn, and how we remember the dead. But even more importantly, I learn about how Jews’ relationship with death informs the way we live our lives today. I’ll call two rabbis whose work requires them to look death head-on. Learn more about Eitan Levine, Rabbi Lynn Liberman and Rabbi Morris Panitz. Please support…
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If and when we pray, who are we praying to? Is anyone listening? In this episode, I talk to rabbis who help me understand different types of prayers, and how to find -- and keep -- the faith. Learn more about Rabbi Morris Panitz and Rabbi Josh Rose. Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/…
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Growing up, many of my friends’ families had Shabbat dinners. It wasn’t a tradition in my house, but I’ve always liked the idea of slowing down and sharing a communal meal after a long week. But I’ve also found it incredibly daunting. In this pilot episode, I call on two rabbis — one who considers Shabbat a slowing of time, and one who sees it an o…
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Chanukah & Miketz: The Melody of Integration
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CHANUKAH SAMEACH! HAPPY CHANUKAH!Here are the sources referred to in this week's episode:The start of the parsha:https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.41?lang=bi&aliyot=0The brothers fear that Joseph and his descendants will lead the Jewish People to idolatry:https://www.sefaria.org/Bereshit_Rabbah.84.14?lang=biBrothers departed from brotherhood and soug…
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Coming January 22: A series about a search for lost identity and what it means to be human. From how we apologize, to how we think about a higher power, host Kate Mishkin interviews rabbis and children about what we believe and why. This is "Shofar, So Good!" For more on the podcast, including how to support the show, visit https://www.shofarsogood…
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We've arrived at one of the best stories ever written, about Joseph and his brothers, and our mystics have a lot to say about the power of stories...Here are the sources referred to in this episode:Vayeshev: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.37.3?lang=bi&aliyot=0Kabbalah teaches that the "real" Torah is actually the Infinite Name of the Infinite Crea…
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Vayishlach: From Dualistic Conflict to Holistic Integration
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In this week's episode on Toldot, we explore how the Ba'al Shem Tov and his students took the long-running rivalry and dualism of Jacob and Esau and offered a refreshingly optimistic and holistic perspective on apparent opposites such as good and evil, body and soul.The teaching shows the development from the classical Kabbalah of the Zohar to the …
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Happy Moon! Chodesh Tov! In this week's episode we'll explore Jacob's dream of the ladder, which is an absolute centerpiece of Jewish spirituality.Below are some of the life lessons we can learn from it, according to our spiritual teachers.Start of the parsha: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.28.10-32.3?lang=bi&aliyot=0When we unify ourselves with t…
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Toldot: Our Patriarchs as Kabbalistic Archetypes
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In this episode, we explore a foundational idea in Kabbalah. The Sefirot (qualities, emanations or characteristics) of the Divine which make up the Tree of Life are said to correspond to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How do we see this in the Torah, and through the commentaries of the Ba'al Shem Tov and his students?Here's the parsha: https://www.sefar…
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In this episode, we'll be exploring Reb Noson / Rav Natan of Breslov's Chasidic interpretations of the Torah, Kabbalah and Midrash, centered on this week's Torah portion. Here are the sources referred to in this episode:Opening of the parsha with Rashi:https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.23.1?lang=bi&aliyot=0&p2=Rashi_on_Genesis.23.1&lang2=biWe need to…
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Reb Noson / Rav Natan of Breslov's Chasidic interpretations of the Torah, Kabbalah and Midrash are deeply resonant for me at the moment, and also providing so much guidance that translates into actual practice in our daily lives.Here are the sources referred to in this episode:The amazing teaching from Reb Noson's masterpiece, Likutei Halachot, tha…
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Kabbalah teaches that our lives are a quest. How do we keep going in the right direction, one step at a time? Here are the sources referred to in this episode:The Infinite one tells Avram to "go forth" or "go to yourself" or "go for your own benefit" - https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.12.1?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=enAlso Rashi (on "the land that I w…
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Noach: Kabbalistic Perspectives on Being a Righteous Person
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Rashi, the great French medieval commentator on the Torah, comments on the opening of our weekly Torah portion in a very provocative manner. Through bringing multiple perspectives on the righteousness of Noach, he challenges us to consider: What does it mean to be a righteous person (Tzadik)?Here are the sources referred to in this episode:The Tora…
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The Infinite Spiral of Compassion - Simchat Torah, VeZot HaBracha & Breishit
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On Simchat Torah, we conclude our year-long reading of the entire Torah, and then immediately begin it once again. What is the kabbalistic meaning of this endless circle of Torah?Here are the sources referred to in this episode:When we've learned the entire Torah, then we understand that we actually don't know anything at all. https://www.sefaria.o…
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I’m Jewish, but was never raised with the religion. Even so, I’ve spent my entire adult life trying to reclaim the traditions and values that feel both intrinsic and foreign to me. I can imagine I’m not alone. Enter "Shofar, So Good!", an audio documentary series about my search for Jewish answers.By Kate Mishkin
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Sukkot: The Divine Embrace and Manifesting Unity
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Welcome to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS).In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or our weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives.In this episode, we explore the spiritual meaning of the beautiful …
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The Kabbalah of Yom Kippur: Narrative Therapy and Self-forgiveness
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Welcome to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS). In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives. Yom Kippur is our holy of holies, and its central theme is forgivenes…
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Rosh Hashanah: Joseph Remembers the Future
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Welcome to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS). In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives. Rosh Hashanah, our new year festival, has a lot to teach us about beg…
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