Counting the Days In this episode Michele discusses what the omer is and why we count the Omer. She explains how this 49-day counting ritual helps us to delve into and develop our shadow and emerge from slavery at Passover and transform into someone with a true freedom mindset. Quote of the Week Like our ancestors in the Exodus story, we need a period of retraining our brains and embracing a new way of thinking. Enter the Counting of the Omer. Traditionally this was a time to count the...

Personal Reflections on the Passover Seder In this episode Michele discusses some of her personal reflections around the central ritual of Passover- the Seder. Quote of the Week The exodus from Egypt occurs in every human being, in every era, in every year, and in every day. - Rabbi Nachman of Breslov Jewitch Calendar Passover begins the evening of Friday April 15. Counting the Omer begins on the evening of Saturday, April 16. Candle lighting time for Shabbat is Friday evening at 7:17...

Quote of the Week On the first day of Nisan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), two weeks before the Exodus, G‑d showed Moses the crescent new moon, instructing him regarding the setting of the Jewish calendar and the mitzvah of sanctifying the new month. This ushered in the first Jewish month and commenced the lunar calendar that Jews have been following ever since. It was the first mitzvah ( given to the newly born nation of Israel, even before the exodus from Egypt.-...

Quote of the Week- 00:01:09 Esther’s name comes from the goddess Ishtar or Asherah, and reminds us that, like older mythic figures such as Inanna, Esther descends into the underworld (in her case, the king’s harem) in order to save life. This descent into the underworld is like the sap’s hiddenness within the tree or nature’s hiddenness during winter—there must be a period of darkness in order for life to re-emerge. - Rabbi Jill Hammer Purim, Witches, and Jews, Oh My!- 00:01:50 The Purim...

Quote of the Week- 00:01:09 As the holiday of Purim approaches, just as Haman’s evil plans were thwarted and turned into a celebration of triumphant joy for the Jews, so may all of our tragedies today be turned into a great salvation of  “light, gladness, joy and honor.”  ~ Rabbi David Samson Adar- The Month of Good Fortune- 00:01:34 In this episode Michele discusses some of the magical correspondences to the month of Adar. The Month of Adar According to Sefer Yetzirah Adar- Pisces Adar...

Quote of the Week- 00:01:07 The Jewish calendar, which is lunar, is a calendar of witness. The Sanhedrin, Jewry's Congress, met in Jerusalem toward the end of every month to wait for the new moon. - Joshua Cohen Wheel of the Year & Shabbat- 00:01:27 In this episode, Michele discusses her search for the perfect visual representation of the Wheel of the Year and why she loves Shabbat so much. Jewitch Calendar- 00:06:58 This week’s Parsha: Ki Tisa Shabbat Candle Lighting Time: 5:16 PM...

CONTENT WARNING This episode contains an explicit anti-semitic slur. Please consider this when listening around other people. Quote of the Week- 0:1:12 The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.  ― Elie Wiesel Anti-Semitism Has Got to Stop- 0:1:37 In this episode, Michele discusses International Holocaust...

Quote of the Week- 0:0:38 “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ― Chinese Proverb New Year/Birthday of Trees: 0:0:59 In this episode, Michele discusses Tu B’Shevat. She discusses what it is, the history of the holiday, and ways to celebrate. Sources & Links: Plant a Tree in Israel Tu B’Shevat Seder Asherah: God’s Forgotten Wife Asherah Rising Jewitch Calendar- 0:06:44 This week’s Parsha: Yitro Shabbat Candle Lighting Time: 4:42 PM...

Quote of the Week- 0:0:39 “When I discovered music — when I discovered the craft of shaping a song — my being fell into place.” - Charlotte Eriksson. Shabbat Shira: 0:0:54 In this episode, Michele discusses why the Shabbat when we read parshat Beshalach is called the Sabbath of Song. She discusses three different songs that pertain to the Torah portion and how song becomes prayer. Sources & Links: Song of the Sea Miriam’s Song Devorah’s Song Mi Chamocha Judges 4 & 5 Jewitch...

Quote of the Week- 0:0:39 “EVIL EYE: Yes its real, and the prophet S.A.W said its worse than black magic. As it could kill a person. Don’t share pictures of your success. Food, selfies, where you are or anything else. As many people can’t digest it and become jealous. Live a private life and do you. Nobody needs to know your business. Especially those who aren’t happy for you. Their jealousy or hatred could lead you to depression, or even losing all that you have. Be humble and keep it to...

In this episode, Michele introduces new podcast segments and announces news for the future of the podcast. She recommends 10 fiction books for the Jewish Witch interested in something new to read. Parshah for the week: Shemot Quote of the Week- 0:0:38 “Books may well be the only true magic.” - Alice Hoffman Book Recommendations: 0:0:58 The Red Tent by Anita Diamant The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker The Museum of Extraordinary Things by...

In this episode, Michele discusses the mikveh as a practice of self-care for Jewish women. She discusses the modern objections to the mikveh as well as patriarchal views of women’s bodily functions. She talks about the spirituality of menstruation and the use of the mikveh to delineate periods of spirituality in a woman’s life. Parshah for the week: Vayechi Key Takeaways: Judaism has self care built right into it in the form of the mikveh. The mikveh has nothing to do with physical...

In this episode, Michele discusses the mezuzah seen on Jewish doorposts. She discusses what it is and how it’s been viewed both as and not as an amulet throughout history. Parshah for the week: Vayigash Key Takeaways: The mezuzah didn’t start out as an amulet. The practice of placing a charm on the doorframe was commonplace in many cultures in the ancient Near East. The mezuzah is seen as ineffective as an amulet if the scroll isn’t kosher. Some Jews believe that a G-d who would...

In this episode, Michele discusses the true miracle of Chanukah. She gives a brief overview of the Chanukah story and then details the miracle of being true to self. Lots of personal story is shared.  Parshah for the week: Miketz. Key Takeaways: The Chanukah story has real life meaning despite the questionability of some aspects. The Hellenization of the Jews and the Maccabean Revolt are definitely true. The Hasmonean family and their supporters fought for what they believed in. ...

In this episode, Michele discusses magic bowls. She explores what they are and were, what they were used for, who made them, and where. Also she talks about what was done with them when they were made.  Parshah for the week: Vayeshev. Key Takeaways: Magic bowls are a pottery bowl with an incantation written on them. Clients used incantation bowls to protect and heal, to frighten off demons and evil spirits, and to harm adversaries. Lilith was a favorite on incantation bowls. Once a...

In this episode, Michele discusses the December Dilemma. She explains what it is and how it relates to interfaith witches + families. Then she gives practical tips for making the holiday season as stress free as possible. Parshah for the week: Vayishlach Key Takeaways: December can be or cause a dilemma for multi faith families or individuals who are themselves multi-faith. Taking a few moments to slow down + breathe cultivates moments of calm + peace. Know what celebrations and...

In this episode Michele discusses the significance of moon magic. She talks about the New Moon in Jewish tradition as well as the importance of all of the moon’s phases. Parshah for the week: Vayetzei Key Takeaways: Moon magic is prevalent in most cultures throughout the world. The New Moon marks the beginning of a new month in Judaism. Rosh Chodesh has traditionally been seen as a holiday for women. Judaism has rituals + blessings for all of the moon’s phases. Links: Info on Rosh...

In this episode Michele discusses the tools she uses in her witchy Jewish practice. Parshah for the week: Toldot Links: This podcast: https://anchor.fm/michele-lefler My YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/YouTubeLivingMoonMed Let’s Be Social: Jewitch Torah Study: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jewitchtorahstudy Instagram: www.instagram.com/livingmoonmeditation Facebook: www.facebook.com/livingmoonmeditation Bad Witch Society: My Free Online Community:...

In this episode Michele discusses the reasons for and against Jews celebrating Halloween. She discusses why she chooses to celebrate Samhain and how it helps her to embrace her ancestors. Parshah for the week: Chayei Sara Key Takeaways: Samhain and Sukkot have many similarities (Purim, too!) Some Jews embrace the secular aspects of Halloween. Other Jews want to keep Judaism separate from the mainstream. Judaism (and witchcraft) embrace choosing your own path. Let’s Be...

In this episode Michele talks about the spelling of magic- both with and without a k. She discusses why the spelling matters, and why she spells magic without a k. Key Takeaways: Magick is an old and archaic spelling of the word- so old it’s difficult to pinpoint when it originated. Aleister Crowley popularized the spelling (with a k) in his teachings and in Thelema. Crowley was known for his racism and anti-semitism. Crowley appropriated Kabbalah and included it into Thelema. ...

In this episode Michele explains her view of the Divine and how it relates to Judaism’s central prayer and expression of faith, the Shema. Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jewishmagicpodcast 5782 Planner: https://livingmoonmeditation.gumroad.com/l/goMLT Other Shop Items: https://livingmoonmeditation.gumroad.com Complete Jewitch Wheel of the Year: https://bit.ly/CompleteJewitchWheel Mercury Retrograde: From Fear to Opportunity: https://livingmoonmeditation.gumroad.com/l/MHAfZ My...

In this episode Michele explains how the month of Cheshvan is the perfect opportunity to explore deeper ways to remain in right relationship. Key Takeaways: Right relationship is being in balance with our role in the greater web of life. Ensuring we are in right relationship isn’t just for the High Holy Days. The Jewish Wheel of the Year is a never ending cycle of building right relationship. Cheshvan is the only month without a specific holiday. Links: Patreon:...

In this episode Michele explains the end of the Autumn holy days. The autumn Jewish holidays will end this week with the days of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The soul searching that began during the month of Elul will culminate in the joyous abandon of Simchat Torah. And the Torah cycle eats itself in a never ending cycle. Key Takeaways: Shemini Atzeret is one more day to dwell in the presence of the Divine. Simchat Torah is a day of joyful abandon when we revel in the love letter...

In this episode Michele explains how the harvest festival Sukkot is about more than harvests and remembering the temporary booths Jews lived in during the desert wandering years. She compares the festival to Samhain and the Day of the Dead and explains how our sukkot are giant ancestor altars. Key Takeaways: Sukkot is a commemoration and veneration of our departed ancestors. The sukkah is a life sized ancestor altar. Traditional Judaism embraces inviting ancestors as ushpizin (guests). ...

In this episode Michele explains the meaning behind Yom Kippur and how this Holy Day fits in with the month of Libra. Like Rosh HaShanah 10 days earlier, the central themes of Yom Kippur are teshuva (turning from wrong) and repentance. Both holy days along with the time in between is a magical time of restoring order and balance to our lives. It is no wonder that Yom Kippur falls during the month ruled by Libra Key Takeaways: T’shuvah & Repentance Sin is not a concept in Judaism. ...