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 constantly begin anew, seeing ourselves as if we have not even yet begun our journeys, constantly adding sanctity and vitality each an...

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, that this week's entire episode is based on, which says that eating is our ultimate spiritual practice, and which ties together all the sources below:...

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 will show you"): Hashem didn't tell Avram where he was going, in order to make the place more beloved to him."The Land of Israel" (both the ...

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 Torah calls Noach a Tzadik (Righteous Person).How is that discerned?Is it innate, or is it relative to one's context?https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.6....

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.org/Me'or_Einayim%2C_Bereshit.48?vhe=Me%27or_Einayim_--_OYW&lang=biCreation could not endure unless Compassion (Rachamim, aka Emet and Ti...

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 festival of Sukkot and its emphasis on joyful, embodied, earth-based practices.Here are the sources referred to in this episode:The embrace or hug ...

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 forgiveness. Our sages teach that the day itself can erase our past mistakes, if we harness its unique power. This episode about Yom Kippur explo...

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 beginning, and our relationship with our own future self. In this, our first episode, we will explore how the story of Joseph is intrin...