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What if the outcome isn’t yours to control, but the effort still is? That tension sits at the core of our conversation with Rabbi Elisha Mandel, a community leader who has watched sceptics become seekers and homes come to life through small, courageous steps. From his 30,000-foot view, growth is visible long before people feel it, and that perspective reframes Bitachon—trust in God—as a skill you practise, not a lottery ticket you clutch.
We dig into the tightrope: giving your best while releasing results. Rabbi Mandel challenges a common mistake—treating work as the only arena for maximal effort and expecting spiritual growth to come easy. He flips the script with a grounded take: set firm boundaries around livelihood and invest sweat where it matters most—learning, prayer, character, and relationships. You’ll hear sharp, memorable lines from his teachers, including why those extra after-hours might signal misplaced trust rather than dedication, and how a humble daily practice can reset your inner compass.
The conversation stays practical. We talk through couples navigating different speeds of religious growth, how making a kitchen kosher can become an inflection point for trust and unity, and why morning prayers may be transformative for some while a different step is wiser for others. Drawing on the Chazon Ish, we face a hard truth: trust doesn’t guarantee the outcomes we want, it anchors us when life refuses our scripts. To build that anchor, Rabbi Mandel offers two habits—handwritten gratitude lists and a three-minute daily, out-loud conversation with God. They’re simple, human, and powerful enough to change the tone of a day and the direction of a life.
Press play to rethink how you show up for work, home, and your own soul. If this resonates, share it with someone who’s balancing effort and surrender right now, subscribe for more thoughtful conversations, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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Until next time, have a spectacular day!