Mind Mapping Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

35:00

The healing power of fitness goes far beyond physical benefits—for today’s guest, it’s a form of self-expression and a celebration of what the body can do. In this episode, host Nora McInerny sits down with fitness personality Ivylis Rivera, who shares her deeply personal journey of navigating life with Chronic Migraine while holding onto her passion for movement. Ivylis opens up about the struggle of staying active while facing the fear of triggering a headache or migraine attack and the resilience it takes to keep pushing forward—a resilience that carried her through the challenging journey of finding a Chronic Migraine treatment plan that worked for her. Join Nora and Ivylis as they explore the concept of “soft living,” a philosophy Ivylis embraces—staying active, listening to your body, and building trust in oneself. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_info See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

about a year ago 1:11:28

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In this episode of The Shema Podcast, I invited Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe to join the show to explore the secrets behind his remarkable productivity and success as a writer, teacher, podcaster, and Torah scholar. The conversation delves into how Rabbi Wolbe balances his professional responsibilities with family life, the importance of recognizing and utilizing one’s unique abilities to impact the world, the power of prayer, self-belief, and the understanding that divine assistance is available to anyone striving for greatness. Moreover, everyone has the potential and responsibility to achieve their unique greatness in the world.

187 episodes

Mind Mapping Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

187 episodes

All episodes

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Shavuos: The Fusion of Finite and Infinite with Rabbi Pill 57:37

7 days ago57:37

57:37

In this episode, I’m joined by Rabbi Pill for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on the spiritual essence of Shavuos. We explore what it means to truly “receive the Torah again,” not as a memory of Sinai, but as a living, recurring revelation. We discuss how each Yom Tov expresses a unique divine will, and how Shavuos brings a reactivation of the same infinite light that first descended on Har Sinai. We delve into the soul of Torah itself, beyond mitzvos, beyond words—and the interplay between concealment and revelation that underlies all of creation. Along the way, we talk about exile and redemption, the evolving accessibility of Torah’s inner dimensions, and how moments of spiritual clarity can transform even the most mundane parts of our lives. This conversation is about reconnecting to the deeper reality that lies just beneath the surface, on Shavuos, and every day after. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Kosher Meditation with Rabbi Aryeh Siegel 1:09:39

14 days ago1:09:39

1:09:39

We all want to grow—to be more present in our learning, more focused in our davening, and more in control of our reactions. But the world is noisy. Our minds race, stress builds, and it’s easy to slip into living by default instead of with intention. In this episode, I sit down with Rabbi Aryeh Siegel, author of Kosher Calm , to explore how a Torah-aligned meditation practice can help us reclaim the space where free will lives and real growth begins. We talk about the need for inner quiet, how stress blocks our avodah, and why the Lubavitcher Rebbe urgently called for a kosher method of meditation decades ago. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with life or longed for deeper presence in your avodas Hashem, this conversation offers clarity, wisdom, and practical tools to help you get there. For next steps to learn about Kosher Meditation go to https://koshercalm.org and order the book Kosher Calm: Meditation & Self-Help Tools For Health & Healing. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
The Jewish Impact on Civilization with Rabbi Ken Spiro 1:01:37

21 days ago1:01:37

1:01:37

In this episode, I share how my worldview began to shift once I realized I’d grown up believing that all cultures were more or less the same—that we were all just decent people trying to get by. But as I began learning Torah and Jewish history, I started to see that Judaism introduced something radically different to the world. To unpack this further, I invited Rabbi Ken Spiro, historian and author of WorldPerfect: The Jewish Impact on Civilization , to join me. We explore how values we take for granted today—like the sanctity of life, equality before the law, and social justice—weren’t universal at all, but were introduced to the world through the Torah. Rabbi Spiro walks us through the brutal norms of the ancient world and shows how the Jewish people, guided by the concept of ethical monotheism, reshaped human history not through conquest, but through values. It’s a conversation that deepens Jewish pride and clarifies our role in the world today. Buy Rabbi Spiro’s Book - WorldPerfect: The Jewish Impact on Civilization Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Unifying The Name Yud-Key with Vav-Key 26:04

24 days ago26:04

26:04

In this episode, we delve into the powerful declaration recited before counting the Omer: “For the sake of the unification of the Holy One, blessed is He, and His Divine Presence (Shechinah), in fear and love, to unify the name Yud-Key with Vav-Key in perfect unity, in the name of all Israel.” This phrase encapsulates a central spiritual mission—to unify Hashem’s name—and we explore how this idea is not only mystical, but deeply practical. From Pesukei D’Zimra to Shema, our daily tefillos are structured around this theme. Drawing on insights from Chassidus, the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu, and contemporary Torah thinkers, this episode offers a path to internalize that all is from Hashem—and ultimately for the good. By minimizing the delay between challenge and trust, between pain and perspective, we take real steps to unify His name and bring the world closer to the era of Moshiach. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Why Do Christians Detest the Oral Torah with Rabbi Tovia Singer 46:52

5 weeks ago46:52

46:52

In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Tovia Singer returns to unpack the deep-rooted Christian animosity toward the Oral Torah. From burning Talmudic texts to rejecting the Jewish calendar, Rabbi Singer explores the historical and theological reasons why Church leaders came to see the Oral Law as a threat. He explains how early Christians relied on the Oral Torah, even citing it in the New Testament, and how later Church doctrine turned against it. The discussion delves into missionary tactics, Jewish identity, the development of Christian theology, and how the Oral Torah continues to safeguard Jewish continuity. A vital episode for anyone seeking to understand the enduring power of our Talmud and how it defends against spiritual assimilation. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Gevurah: Turning Inspiration into Structure 27:12

6 weeks ago27:12

27:12

What happened to all the students of Avraham and Sarah? This episode unpacks that question and the surprising depth behind the answer—revealing a timeless lesson about the limits of inspiration without structure. Through the lens of gevurah (discipline), we explore how to anchor our growth in action, support others without fostering dependence, and move from emotional sparks to lasting spiritual foundations. Drawing from Chazal and modern thinkers like Rav Dessler and Rav Soloveitchik, this is a call to turn inspiration into real, lasting change—one mitzvah at a time. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Changing Our Nature to Rise Above Nature with Morty Roth 1:08:28

7 weeks ago1:08:28

1:08:28

What does it mean to change your nature in order to rise above nature ? In this powerful episode, we explore the spiritual energy flowing from Pesach to Shavuos — a time designed for deep personal growth and inner transformation. Together with the always-insightful Morty Roth, we dive into the journey from the splitting of the sea to the receiving of the Torah, and how the days of the Omer serve as a built-in system for personal refinement. Along the way, we discuss humility, emunah in action, overcoming resistance, and how to align ourselves with Hashem’s will through intentional growth. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Freedom for a Purpose: The Road to Sinai 34:33

8 weeks ago34:33

34:33

In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of freedom through the lens of Pesach. Freedom from Mitzrayim wasn’t the final goal, it was the beginning of a transformative journey toward receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Join us as we discuss the phases of spiritual growth from exile to revelation, the inner Pharaohs we must confront, and why the second night of the Seder holds hidden power. With insights on emunah, humility, and the true purpose of redemption, this episode prepares you not just for Pesach, but for the journey ahead. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Exile Must Happen Before Redemption 30:45

8 weeks ago30:45

30:45

In this episode, I explore why exile must come before redemption—not just in our history, but in our personal lives. With Pesach around the corner, I reflect on what it really means to be in exile, and how those moments of concealment are actually opportunities to bring Hashem’s light into the world. Drawing from the teachings of the Baal HaSulam and the story of Yosef HaTzaddik, I talk about how we can grow through challenges, align ourselves with the will to bestow, and prepare our hearts for true geulah. This episode is as much a reminder to myself as it is a message to you: our inner Pharaohs aren’t out there—they’re the fears and illusions we carry within. Let's confront them together.…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Kosher Astrology with Yitzchok Pinkesz 50:26

9 weeks ago50:26

50:26

What if your soul came into this world with a divine instruction manual, and it’s written in the stars? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Yitzchok Pinkesz, author of Kosher Astrology, to explore the little-known but deeply sourced Jewish approach to astrology. From Abraham Avinu’s celestial insights to the Ramchal’s cosmic system, we uncover how Torah giants throughout the generations saw astrology not as superstition, but as a spiritual tool when used within halachic boundaries. Whether you're skeptical or curious, this episode brings a fascinating and Torah-rooted perspective on the stars above and the soul within. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up . Kosher Astrology is available on Amazon USA Explore your truly unique Chart Reading Session at Kosherastro.com Follow Yitzchok Pinkesz on Instagram @kosherastro Subscribe to Yitzchock Pinkesz YouTube Channel @KosherAstro…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
What Kiruv Can Learn from Missionaries with Rabbi Tovia Singer 1:03:15

10 weeks ago1:03:15

1:03:15

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Tovia Singer to explore a surprising question: What can the Jewish world learn from evangelical missionaries? While their goals are starkly opposed to Torah, their outreach strategies are often highly refined, data-driven, and emotionally compelling. Rabbi Singer breaks down the history, tactics, and psychology behind missionary success and how understanding their approach can help us strengthen kiruv and reconnect Jews with their heritage. A must-listen for anyone passionate about Jewish continuity, education, and outreach. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Hearing the Message and Taking Action with Alan Putter 40:04

10 weeks ago40:04

40:04

In this episode I open up about something that’s been weighing heavily on me, the messages Hashem sends us through world events and how we choose to respond. Before introducing my guest, my brother-in-law Alan Putter, I reflect on patterns throughout Jewish history, rooted in Torah, that show us what happens when we either forget to stay holy and distinct or fall into baseless hatred. Alan joins me to share what he did after October 7th that truly inspired me. While many of us were outraged or overwhelmed, he took action. He flew to Israel and volunteered on IDF bases, doing the quiet but essential work that keeps everything running - folding uniforms, cleaning weapons, preparing food. No glamour, just humility and impact. This conversation is both personal and national. It’s about recognizing Hashem’s voice in the chaos, choosing unity over division, and remembering why we’re here as a people. If we can take these messages to heart, maybe we won’t need to be shaken awake again. If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with Sar-El, visit https://www.sar-el.org . Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
The Symbiotic Bond of B’nei Noach & B’nei Mitzvah with Rod Bryant 1:08:41

11 weeks ago1:08:41

1:08:41

In this episode, we explore the unique, divinely designed relationship between Jews and non-Jews. We are joined by Rod Bryant, a former Christian pastor who left the church to became a Torah teacher, guiding non-Jews in understanding the Seven Noahide Laws. Rod shares his personal journey and explains how Jews and non-Jews play complementary roles in elevating the world. We also discuss the coming Messianic era and the growing global thirst for authentic Torah wisdom. Learn more about Netiv: Torah Learning for Noahides → www.netivonline.org Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
Purim Roundtable 16:55

12 weeks ago16:55

16:55

In this lively and thought-provoking episode of The Shema Podcast , we dive into the essence of Purim—uncovering the hidden miracles in our lives and recognizing Hashem’s guiding hand, even when He seems concealed. Through a roundtable discussion (with some unexpected guests!), we explore how Purim encapsulates the Jewish journey, the significance of costumes, joy, and giving, and why this holiday will endure even in the times of Mashiach. Tune in for a mix of Torah insights, humor, and a fresh perspective on the most joyous day of the year! Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community! Join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp Group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up .…

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

1
From Torah to Table: Kosher Explained with Rabbi Dubin 53:48

12 weeks ago53:48