• 1000 Days of Gratitude (Haggadah)
    Apr 14 2024

    Length: 21 minutes
    Synopsis: And The Stoic Jew Podcast is BACK! Or is it? Well, it's back for at least this episode, in which I reflect on 1000 days of gratitude and muse on the relationship between my gratitude accountability practice and the mitzvah of recounting the Exodus from Egypt. Whether this marks the return of regular TSJ episodes is up to my listeners!

    Related Episodes About Gratitude:
    - 7/8/21: The Gratitude Accountability Experiment
    - 10/15/21: 100 Days of Gratitude
    - 11/29/21: TSJ Interlude: Post-Thanksgiving Musings
    - 2/18/22: 225 Days of Gratitude
    - 5/4/22: TSJ Interlude: 300 Days of Gratitude
    - 7/11/22: 365 Days of Gratitude
    - 11/23/22: 500 Days of Gratitude
    - 5/7/23: Purim, Providence, and 600 Days of Gratitude
    - 8/9/23: Two Years (Plus) of Gratitude

    Sources:
    - Aurelius, Meditations 7:7
    - Devarim 26:3, Saadia Gaon, Ibn Ezra, Ibn Kaspi
    - Haggadah shel Pesach
    - Rambam: Sefer ha'Mitzvos, Aseh #157
    -----
    The Torah content from now through Pesach has been sponsored by the Koffsky family, in loving memory of Adira (a"h), who loved big ideas and asking big questions.
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.
    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
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    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
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    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
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    21 mins
  • Does Insomnia Even Matter? (Aurelius - Meditations 6:1-2; 2:14)
    Dec 18 2023

    Length: 22 minutes
    Synopsis: And we're back! By "we" I mean The Stoic Jew Podcast AND my insomnia! :D I've been up since 3:35am this morning, and I decided to make a podcast episode about my latest Stoic Jew take on my situation, based on the words of Marcus Aurelius and Koheles (Ecclesiastes), as explained by Ralbag (Gersonides).

    Related Episodes about Insomnia:
    - Blaming My Insomnia on Satan
    - A Cure for Insomnia … I Hope
    - Applying Epictetus to My Insomnia
    - Post-Insomnia Stoic Jew Self-Talk
    - When Life Gives You Insomnia, Bake a Cake and Rejoice in Yisurin
    - Purim, Providence, and 600 Days of Gratitude

    Sources:
    - Aurelius, Meditations 6:1-2; 2:14
    - Ralbag (Gersonides), Commentary on Koheles (Ecclesiastes) 9:10-12
    - Gandalf, the Grey, The Fellowship of the Ring

    Other:
    - Natalie Goldberg, Three Simple Lines: A Writer’s Pilgrimage into the Heart and Homeland of Haiku
    - Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
    -----
    The Torah content for the remainder of 2023 has been sponsored by Rivkie and Dovi Siderson with the following message from Rivkie: "Thank you to Rabbi for providing me with a solid foundation of Torah and Jewish philosophy, and for 8+ years of great learning! And to Avital on her 23rd birthday (even though we can’t be there in person). I’m so grateful for your friendship, mind, and support. I love learning with you and from you, and can’t wait to continue, IY”H. Happy birthday from the Sidersons!"
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
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    22 mins
  • Deathbed Moments of U.S. Presidents, Japanese Monks, Chazal, Victims of the October 7th Massacre, and My Rebbi zt"l
    Nov 21 2023

    Length: 34 minutes 10 seconds
    Synopsis: What will you do or say in your last moments, when (God willing) you are on your deathbed? In this episode I reflect on the final words of U.S. presidents, the death poems of Zen monks and Japanese haiku poets, the statements and attitudes of the Sages of the Talmud about the particular circumstances in which we die, the final moments of the Jews massacred on October 7th (may Hashem avenge their blood), and the final day of my beloved rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l.

    Sources:
    - The Last Words of 38 Presidents
    - Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death, compiled by Yoel Hoffmann
    - Kesubos 103b
    - R' Yitzchak ben Moshe Arama, Akeidas Yitzchak: Chayei Sarah, Shaar 22
    - R' Chayim ben Dovid ha'Levi, Shu"t Aseh Lecha Rav 2:9
    - WhatsApp correspondence with Mrs. Moskowitz (11/20/23)

    God, Love and Loss: A Compilation of Literary Work by Gap Year Students, published in loving memory of Adira Koffsky a"h
    -----
    This week's Torah Content has been sponsored by Lou Landau in honor of launching his new business.
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
    "The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
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    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
    "Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
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    34 mins
  • God of Time or Dog Eating Its Own Vomit? (a "Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack" Crossover Episode)
    Nov 17 2023

    Length: 8 minutes 11 seconds
    Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2.5-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/17/23, entitled: God of Time or Dog Eating Its Own Vomit? I wrote this in lieu of a parashah article because I needed to write it for myself. If I don't write for myself, who will write for me? And if not now, when? (parashah article can be found at the end)
    -----
    The Torah content for the remainder of this week has been sponsored by those who make recurring contributions via Patreon and Chase. You are the bedrock of support for everything I teach. If you're interested in becoming a Patron, go to www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, become a paid subscriber to my substack at rabbischneeweiss.substack.com and you'll gain access to exclusive Torah content. Thank you ALL my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
    "The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
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    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
    "Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
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    8 mins
  • Matt Schneeweiss, the God of Time (Seneca - On the Shortness of Life)
    Nov 5 2023

    Length: 29 minutes 47 seconds
    Synopsis: In today's unscripted "Stoic self-talk workshop" episode, I reflect aloud on a mistake I caught myself making, in which I fell victim to the "God fantasy" of living life as though I were outside of time.

    Related Content:
    - for my most recent shiur on the phrase "b'Shem Hashem El Olam," here's Part 1 and here's Part 2; I gave these shiurim in September 2020, and have no recollection of what I said, so if you listen to it, let me know if it still holds up!

    Sources:
    - Rashi on Bereishis 3:4-5
    - Sforno on Bereishis 21:33
    - Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, pp.48-49
    - Seneca, On the Shortness of Life
    -----
    The Torah content for the remainder of Cheshvan has been sponsored anonymously in memory of those who were murdered by Hamas. May our Torah learning lead to living in line with G-d's will and all the goodness that entails.
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
    "The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
    "Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
    "Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
    WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0H
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    30 mins
  • A Stoic Approach to the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah (Aurelius - Meditations 5:11)
    Sep 13 2023

    Length: 18 minutes 28 seconds
    Synopsis: My morning reading of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, combined with my review of the Rambam's Hilchos Teshuvah and my reading of the most recent issue of The Imperfectionist (by Oliver Burkeman, author of my current favorite non-fiction book: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals), led me to a more effective way to approach the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah than in years past.

    Related Content:
    - Don't Believe in Yourself (given at Lomdeha)
    - Don't Believe in Yourself (article version)
    - Nitzavim: What Would Teshuvah Look Like If It Were Easy?

    Sources:
    - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5:11
    - Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Sefer ha'Mada, Hilchos Teshuvah 3:3-4
    - Oliver Burkeman, The Imperfectionist: Doing things is what counts (9/7/23)
    - Avos 2:4
    -----
    The Torah Content for the month of Elul has been sponsored anonymously in loving memory of Henya bas Tzirel - a mother who cared deeply about her children's engagement with Judaism.
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
    "The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
    "Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
    "Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
    WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0H
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    19 mins
  • Aurelius and Rav Soloveitchik on the Problem with Vidui (Aurelius - Meditations 10.30)
    Sep 10 2023

    Length: 16 minutes 9 seconds
    Synopsis: This morning I read a passage in Meditations which answered a question I've had about the formulation of vidui (confession) for many years. This answer is similar to answer I happened to reread from the Rav (Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik) this morning. In this episode I compare and contrast these two answers, which complement each other quite nicely.

    Sources
    - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10:30)
    - Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Sefer ha'Mada, Hilchos Teshuvah 1:1-2
    - Machzor Mesorat Harav l'Yom Kippur: with commentary adapted from the teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, p.111
    -----
    The Torah Content for the month of Elul has been sponsored anonymously in loving memory of Henya bas Tzirel - a mother who cared deeply about her children's engagement with Judaism.
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
    "The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
    "Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
    "Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
    WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0H
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    16 mins
  • How My First Week Went, Thanks in Part to Epictetus (Enchiridion 1, 7, 17, 21)
    Sep 3 2023

    Length: 29 minutes 44 seconds
    Synopsis: Seven days ago I made an episode about my thoughts and feelings about starting this new teaching job. In this episode I talk how four Stoic principles from Epictetus helped me to have the best first week imaginable.

    Related Content:
    - 8/28/23: Stoic Jew Thoughts on the First Day at a New School
    - 8/23/23: Two MAJOR Professional/Life Updates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
    -----
    The Torah Content for the month of Elul has been sponsored anonymously in loving memory of Henya bas Tzirel - a mother who cared deeply about her children's engagement with Judaism.
    -----
    The Torah content for remainder of Chodesh Av has been sponsored by my Patrons on Patreon. Your generosity is the foundation which makes it possible for me to continue giving free shiurim, writing free articles, and sharing my content freely on YouTube and my podcasts. It means a great deal to me that you support what I do enough to support what I do. If you're not currently a Patron but have gained from what you've learned from me, consider joining for as little as $3 per month. Go to www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss and sign up today!
    -----
    If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail.com. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.

    If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.com. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
    -----
    Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/
    Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
    YouTube: youtube.com/rabbischneeweiss
    Instagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/
    "The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
    "Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
    "The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com
    "Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
    "The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.com
    Old Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
    WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0H
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    30 mins