Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices For Every Day
Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every Day is a podcast from Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media, and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Hosted by Rabbi Josh Feigelson, each episode combines ancient Jewish wisdom with modern mindfulness practices. It offers listeners a way to reduce stress and reconnect with themselves. The show serves as a calm, reflective guide for the week ahead.
Episodes
A Gentle Knock on the Heart for Yom Kippur
On Yom Kippur, we’re invited to slow down, turn inward, and open our hearts. Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores an ancient teaching about directing our hearts toward the Holy of Holies and offers a simple mindfulness practice called The Gentle Knock, a way to pause, reconnect, and come home to ourselves with compassion rather than judgment.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponsore
A Home Run Is a State of Mind (finale)
In the final episode of Soulful Jewish Living's ten-part series on feeling at home, Rabbi Josh Feigelson turns to an end of summer teacher: baseball. Using Kirby Puckett's famous walk-off home run and the mishnaic teaching on Sukkot, Josh explores why "home" is less a place than a state of mind, and closes the series with a guided meditation on teshuva as the practice of always finding our way bac
You Are Already Home: A Mindfulness Practice for Rosh Hashanah (Part 9)
Home isn't a place with walls, it's the whole earth, and teshuva means returning to that sense of belonging. In the latest episode of his series on home, Rabbi Josh Feigelson opens with Project Hail Mary's longing for home, then draws on Thich Nhat Hanh and Rabbi Alan Lew to reframe Rosh Hashanah, creation's birthday, as an invitation to feel at home in the world itself. Josh also includes a shor
What to Do When the Bottom Falls Out (Part 8)
When the bottom falls out, a diagnosis, a loss, the end of a relationship, the home we counted on can crumble. Rabbi Josh Feigelson turns to the Jewish experience of galut, exile, and asks how our ancestors survived displacement and still felt spiritually at home. Drawing on Heschel's image of Shabbat as a sanctuary in time, he offers a gentle breathing practice you can carry anywhere.
Be in touc
Carrying Home With You (Part 7)
What does it mean to feel at home when you’re far from home? Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on his childhood motorhome and the idea of a portable home. Drawing on Jewish teachings about the Mishkan and Divine Presence, he explores how we can carry a sense of home with us wherever we go, followed by a mindfulness practice for finding at-homeness in the present moment.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.m
At Home as a Stranger (Part 6)
Can feeling like a stranger actually help you find home? Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on the aftermath of 9/11, biblical journeys, and Jewish wisdom to explore how unfamiliar experiences can deepen our sense of belonging. This guided meditation invites you to embrace vulnerability, welcome others, and discover home in unexpected places.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponso
How Language Can Help You Feel at Home (Part 5)
What makes us feel at home, even when we're far away? Rabbi Josh Feigelson shares the story of saying Kaddish in a small synagogue in Croatia and explores how language can become a spiritual refuge. Drawing on Jewish wisdom and mindfulness, he offers a guided meditation to help you find a word or phrase that grounds you, calms your mind, and brings you home.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
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Home Is the One Place You Don't Have to Pretend (Part 4)
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What does it mean to feel home with our families? Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores this question through the story of Jacob, a man whose home life was about as messed up as it gets. Sibling rivalry, deceit, and a nighttime wrestling match with an angel all led Jacob to a surprising blueprint for
At Home in the Mind (Part 3)
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How many times a day do you check your phone? For the average American, it's about 200. In the third episode of our miniseries on home, Rabbi Josh Feigelson draws on Maya Angelou and the Ba'al Shem Tov to explore what it means to be at home in your mind. Plus a simple Jewish mindfulness practic
Home in Your Body: A Jewish Practice (Part 2)
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What does it mean to be at home in your own body? Rabbi Josh Feigelson draws on Hillel the Elder and the Baal Shem Tov to show why spiritual life starts with syncing our minds and bodies, and guides a body scan meditation you can return to anytime you feel disconnected.
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Baseball, the Bible, and the Jewish Meaning of Home
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What does it mean to feel at home — in a place, in your body, in your life? Rabbi Josh Feigelson draws on baseball, the Torah, and the writing of Bart Giamatti to explore home as a state of mind rather than a physical location. The episode closes with a guided breath meditation to help you arrive,
We're All in the Same Boat: Jewish Wisdom for Independence Day | Finale
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Rabbi Josh wraps up the Independence miniseries by zooming out to the Jewish concept of brit (covenant) as the framework for true interdependence. Using Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's boat parable, he contrasts American culture's rights-based individualism with Judaism's responsibility-centered worldview, and
A Jewish Case for Democracy (Part 5)
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What's the difference between winning an argument and winning a war? In this episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores persuasion as both a democratic and Jewish value—drawing on chavruta study, Hasidic Torah mysticism, and Professor Jeremy Engels's On Mindful Democracy. Plus: a simple practice fo
The Myth of the Self-Made American (Part 4)
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Rabbi Josh Feigelson takes on one of America's most cherished myths: the rugged, self-made individual. In the fourth episode of the Independence miniseries, he argues it's not only historically ironic but profoundly un-Jewish. Drawing on Torah's laws of the field, he makes the case that our suc
Rights, Responsibilities, and the Mitzvah Mindset (Part 3)
What does citizenship really mean—and what does Judaism have to say about it? In this third episode of the Independence miniseries, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on the difference between a rights-focused mindset and a responsibility-focused one, drawing on the Jewish concept of mitzvah and Professor Jeremy Engels's Mindful Democracy. He closes with a practical week-long havruta accountability pra
The Interstitium: Finding Freedom in Interdependence (Part 2)
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What do cutting-edge biology and a 2,000-year-old Talmudic teaching have in common? Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores how a newly discovered body system mirrors the Jewish idea that we are all deeply bound to one another and guides listeners through a mindfulness practice to help them feel that tru
Not Independence. Interdependence: A Jewish meditation for Memorial Day (Part 1)
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This Memorial Day, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on mindfulness, democracy, and interdependence. The episode launches a new series as the US approaches its 250th anniversary, exploring how true independence is rooted in community and mutual responsibility. It closes with a guided meditation on
The Unfinished Symphony of Life (Part 5)
To close out the five-part series on uncertainty and anxiety, Rabbi Josh turns to an unlikely teacher: the 19th-century composer Franz Schubert. Drawing on Rabbi Tarfon's ancient insight that it is not your job to finish the work, the episode invites listeners to release their grip on perfection, and to simply sit with what's unfinished. A guided mindfulness practice leads the way..
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The Evil Eye: Escaping the Anxiety Trap (Part 4)
What if the silence isn't judgment? Rabbi Josh shares a powerful moment from a silent retreat that reveals how anxiety turns strangers into threats. Using the Jewish concepts of ayin hara (the evil eye) and ayin tova (a generous perspective), he shows how shifting your inner filter can transform fear into openness and offers a practical meditation to help you do just that.
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Waiting Well: A Jewish Mindfulness Practice for Uncertain Times (Part 3)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson reframes the experience of waiting by drawing on the Jewish wisdom of the mezuzah. Using a personal story about meeting President Clinton at the Oval Office, he distinguishes between the "waiting room" mindset rooted in anxiety and the "hallway" mindset rooted in presence and agency. The episode closes with a short guided breathing practice.
Josh with Clinton:
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Five Minutes at a Time: A Jewish Practice for Anxiety (Part 2)
What do you do when anxiety about the future threatens to unravel everything? Rabbi Josh Feigelson found his answer in an unexpected moment during rabbinical school: "Just plan the next five minutes." In this second episode of the uncertainty miniseries, he connects that wisdom to the biblical story of Manna, the daily bread that couldn't be hoarded or saved. Stop reaching for tomorrow's answers t
How to Calm Anxiety with Jewish Mindfulness: Shiviti Practice (Part 1)
When a generator failure grounded his transatlantic flight on Christmas Day, Rabbi Josh discovered his meditation practice kept him calm while everyone around him spiraled. In this episode he explores why our brains struggle with uncertainty, and how the Hebrew verse Shiviti Hashem L'negdi Tamid offers a practical spiritual anchor for anxious moments. Includes a guided meditation you can use anywh
What If Enough Is Enough? Shemittah, the Jewish Sabbatical Year (Part 5)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores Shemittah, the Jewish sabbatical year, as a radical practice of release — from debt, from striving, and from the grip that money and status can have on our hearts. Drawing on a Japanese folk tale and the Torah's reminder that the earth belongs to God, not us, he shows how letting go is not a loss but a liberation. Includes a breathing meditation to help you loosen you
A Passover Meditation on Hesed, Unconditional Love
Rabbi Josh Feigelson draws on Hasidic teaching and personal memory to explore how Passover is the moment when Divine love, or hesed, flows freely, no earning required. Even amid heaviness and uncertainty, the Seder invites us to open our hearts and receive it. Includes a guided meditation for the season.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer
Open Your Hand, Open Your Heart: The Jewish Practice of Giving (Part 4)
What does it really mean to give, and why is it so hard? In the fourth episode of a series on money, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Torah's radical call to generosity through the Hebrew phrase patoach tiftach , "open, open your hand," and what the Sfat Emet teaches about the two barriers that keep us closed. With a simple embodied practice, Josh invites listeners to literally unfurl a fist and
Do I Have Enough? The Comparison Trap (Part 3)
In Part 3 of our mindfulness and money series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on how social comparison, especially in the age of social media, shapes our relationship to money and self worth. Through a story from Venice and a teaching from Jewish morning blessings, Josh invites us to pause, notice the pull of comparison, and return to a simple truth: in this moment, we have what we need for the nex
Special: The Narrow Bridge — Jewish Wisdom for Fear
Rabbi Josh Feigelson pauses the current series to reflect on the fear and uncertainty many Jews are feeling during the ongoing war. Drawing on Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s teaching that “the whole world is a very narrow bridge,” he offers a short mindfulness practice to help us notice fear without amplifying it. This episode invites listeners to breathe, soften, and remember that we are not walking
Mindful Spending: Overcoming Impulse Buying (Part 2)
Impulse buying is easy. Mindful spending takes practice. In Part 2 of our six-part series on money, Jewish wisdom helps us pause before we swipe—and turn everyday spending into a moment of awareness.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees.
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If I Were a Rich Man: Jewish Wisdom on Money & True Wealth (Part 1)
We all have a little Tevye in us. In this first episode of a six-part series on money, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores what Judaism and mindfulness teach about wealth and the feeling of “not enough.” Beginning with Fiddler on the Roof’s “If I Were a Rich Man,” he turns to Rabbi Shimon Ben Zoma’s question: “Who is wealthy? One who is happy with what they have.” How can Jewish wisdom and mindfulness h
Mindfulness and the News Finale: Truth, Trust, and Action (Part 6)
In the final episode of this six-part series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on truth, trust, and responsibility in today’s overwhelming news landscape. Exploring the danger of “spiritual bypass,” he draws on the Jewish concept of emet (truth) to show how mindfulness can ground us — not to escape the world, but to engage it with clarity and care.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode
Mindful News Consumption: A Jewish Practice for Staying Grounded (Part 5)
How do we face the news without being overwhelmed by it? Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on a painful parenting moment to explore how mindfulness can help us meet difficult news with care. In the fifth episode of a series on mindful news consumption, Josh draws on Jewish wisdom to reframe the news as an opportunity for compassion, balance, and grounded engagement.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.m
Shabbat Mind vs. the 24/7 News Cycle: A Jewish Practice of Renewal (Part 4)
How do we survive the 24/7 news cycle without losing our balance—or ourselves? In Part 4 of our miniseries on mindfully engaging with the news, Rabbi Josh Feigelson introduces Shabbat Mind as a Jewish response to nonstop media and constant urgency. Reflecting on the disorientation of an always-on news environment, Josh reframes Shabbat not just as a weekly day of rest, but as a mindset that helps
Inside the News Bubble: Jewish Wisdom for a Polarized World (Part 3)
This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the idea of the news bubble—how algorithms, tribalism, and polarization shape what we see and how we react to the news. In Part 3 of a six-episode series on engaging with the news mindfully, Josh draws on Jewish wisdom and a powerful Talmudic teaching about being “soft like a reed and not stiff like a cedar” to reflect on how news bubbles can harden us into
The Second Arrow: Buddhist Wisdom and Jewish Mindfulness for News Anxiety (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our series on mindfully engaging with the news, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores why the news so often sends us into emotional spirals—and how we can respond with more awareness and compassion. Drawing on the Buddhist teaching of the “second arrow,” Jewish wisdom about hesech hada’at, and a classic Talmudic story about Hillel the Elder, this episode offers a practical mindfulness practic
Why We Avoid the News: A Jewish Mindfulness Approach (Part 1)
Why do so many of us feel compelled to avoid the news—and what does Judaism have to say about it? In the first episode of a new series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores News Avoidance Syndrome through Jewish mindfulness and introduces a simple practice to help us engage with the news without becoming overwhelmed.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori K
Yes Day (Re-release)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson revisits how to incorporate "yes moments" into our lives, in order to open ourselves to positivity.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand.
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Counting Our Blessings (Re-release)
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In this special re-release, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on the profound impact of blessings and the impact a blessing can have on various aspects of daily life.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patri
A Tree by the River: Family, Legacy, and Where We Come From (Part 10)
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In the final episode of the Family miniseries, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on family, ancestry, and legacy through the Jewish image of a tree planted by a river, drawing on his own family’s genealogy, stories of loss and recovery after the Shoah, and the Hebrew ideas of nachal (
Chosen Family: A Jewish Reflection on Love Beyond Biology (Part 9)
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Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the idea of family beyond biology—the “refrigerator friends” and chosen family who nourish our lives with love, care, and belonging. In part nine of the Family miniseries, Josh invites listeners to expand their definition of family. Drawing on Jewish
The Jewish Way to Say “I’m Sorry” — And Heal Your Family (Part 8)
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In the latest episode on family, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Jewish practice of apology and forgiveness—why it matters so deeply in family life and how we can approach it with compassion, humility, and intention. Through a personal story and a guided mindfulness exercise, J
Ties That Bind: Mindful Jewish Wisdom on Aging and Letting Go (Part 7)
What does it mean to age, remember, and let go through the lens of Jewish mindfulness? The 7th episode in a series on family explore this question. Inspired by childhood memories of tying knots with his father—and the phrase “may their soul be bound in the bonds of life”—Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks how the ties that connect us to loved ones both tighten and loosen as we confront aging and mortali
Holding On, Letting Go: Jewish Mindfulness for Parenting (Part 6)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks a puzzling bar/bat mitzvah blessing that thanks God for releasing parents from responsibility—and reveals the deep wisdom behind it. What sounds harsh becomes a lens into the lifelong dance of holding on and letting go as kids grow into independence. With Jewish teachings, real family dynamics, and a nod to Kenny Rogers, Josh explores how parents and children evolve to
Mindful Family Communication (Part 5)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores how mindful communication can transform family relationships, even when tensions run high. Through a candid story about navigating a tough parenting moment, he shows how slowing down, listening with empathy, and grounding conversations in love can make even difficult moments more meaningful. In the fifth episode in the family series, Josh draws on the V’ahavta prayer,
Unconditional Love: The Foundation of Jewish Family (Part 4)
In this deeply personal episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson shares the story of his mother—known to all as “Happy”—whose unshakable joy and unconditional love continue to inspire even as she lives with Alzheimer’s. Through her example, and guided by Jewish teachings on ahava, Josh explores love not just as emotion but as mindful practice—a way to stay present, connected, and grounded in what truly matte
It’s About Time: Jewish Wisdom for a Balanced Life (Part 3)
In part 3 of a miniseries on family, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the deep connection between time, intention, and family—and how Jewish wisdom invites us to align our schedules with our values. He shares a laugh-and-learn story from his early days as a campus rabbi and offers a simple weekly reflection to help you slow down, realign, and make time for what (and who) really matters.
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The Secret Jewish Wisdom Behind Lasting Love (Part 2)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores what Jewish tradition calls brit — a covenantal partnership built on commitment, choice, and renewal in part 2 of a miniseries on family. Drawing on Torah and mindfulness practice, Josh reflects on how sacred relationships help us “hold and be held,” and offers a short meditation to experience that balance of choosing and being chosen in everyday family life.
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All in the Family: A Jewish Meditation on Identity (Part 1)
In the Season 5 premiere, Rabbi Josh Feigelson kicks off a new miniseries on family—how it shapes who we are and how we can engage with it more mindfully. Drawing on Torah stories from Genesis and insights from family-systems pioneer Salvador Minuchin, Josh explores how family is both something we inherit and something we create.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
Soulful Jewish Living: M
This Too Shall Pass: Jewish Wisdom for Hope and Healing
Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on the ancient Jewish phrase “Gam zeh ya’avor” – “This too shall pass.” Drawing wisdom from his friend Marvin, the festival of Sukkot, and the anniversary of October 7, Josh explores how Jewish mindfulness teaches us to live with impermanence while holding onto hope.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every Day is
Sukkot: Finding Our Way Back Home (Re-release)
Have you ever thought about the definition of Spirituality? In this episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson ponders the meaning of spirituality through the holiday of Sukkot. Whether you're sitting in a sukkah or simply taking a moment to breathe, this episode encourages you to reflect on your sense of belonging and the spiritual connections that make us feel truly at home.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.m
All You Have to Do is Call (Re-release)
What if Yom Kippur wasn’t about deprivation, but about presence? In this re-release, Rabbi Josh Feigelson draws inspiration from Carole King’s timeless lyrics in You’ve Got a Friend to uncover a mindful practice for experiencing love, forgiveness, and renewal.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every Day is a production of Unpacked, an OpenDor M
Living with Gratitude: The Tenth Commandment
In this closing episode of the Ten Commandments series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the final commandment: Do not covet. He reflects on envy, desire, and Ibn Ezra’s teaching that all mitzvot aim to straighten the heart—reminding us to live with gratitude, mindfulness, and compassion as we enter a new year.
You can find a link to Nava Tehillah's song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/72ZUsm
Truth Matters: The Ninth Commandment
Why does Judaism place so much weight on telling the truth? This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores how Jewish wisdom links truth to the very foundations of society. The Ninth Commandment warns against bearing false witness, reminding us that justice and trust collapse when lies prevail. But the teaching goes further—beyond courtrooms to everyday life—condemning gossip, slander, and false rumors
Confessions of a Childhood Shoplifter: The Eighth Commandment
Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks the 8th Commandment — “Don’t Steal.” At first glance, it seems simple: don’t take what isn’t yours. But the Torah and Talmud reveal a deeper wisdom, connecting theft not only to property but to kidnapping, jealousy, and unchecked desire.
Be in touch at josh@unpacked.media.
Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every Day is a production of Unpacked, an Open
The Spiritual Power of Saying “No” and the Seventh Commandment
What does “Don’t commit adultery” really mean—and how can it shape our daily mindfulness? This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Seventh Commandment as more than just a rule about fidelity. From Don Draper’s complicated story in Mad Men to the Torah’s vision of holiness, Josh explains how saying “no” to certain impulses allows us to say a deeper “yes” to love, truth, and sacred commitments.
Murder, Mercy, and Mindfulness: Wisdom from the Sixth Commandment
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Sixth Commandment—“Lo Tirtzach: Don’t Murder”—and why it’s far more than a prohibition against taking a life. Rabbi Feigelson reveals how the commandment extends beyond literal murder to include gossip, false testimony, harmful advice, or withholding life-saving information. Through mindfulness practice, he shows how recognizing the unique, infinite, and equal val
Lessons from the Fifth Commandment: A Modern Guide to Honoring Parents
What does it mean to honor parents in the 21st century — especially if the relationship is complex? This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson dives into the Fifth Commandment and the idea that honoring parents is a core Jewish value with deep spiritual meaning. Listen for a simple, mindful practice you can do at home to connect with your family’s story and pass on its values for generations to come.
Be in
The Secret to Jewish Mindfulness: Shabbat and the Fourth Commandment (Part 2)
Is Shabbat just about Friday night dinner—or is it the most powerful spiritual technology in Jewish life? Rabbi Josh Feigelson dives into the Fourth Commandment—Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy—and reveals how Shabbat isn’t just a ritual, but a radical mindset shift that can bring you peace, presence, and purpose every day of the week. Featuring Mel Brooks, Moses, a simple but transformati
“I Swear to God”: The Power of Speech and the Fourth Commandment (Part 1)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Fourth Commandment—“Do not take God’s name in vain”—and what it teaches us about speech, truth, and mindful living. From his days as a Boy Scout to Jewish mystical practices, Josh connects personal stories with ancient wisdom to help us speak with more clarity, compassion, and Divine purpose. You’ll also learn a unique mindfulness exercise inspired by the shofar t
Letting Go of Idols: A Lesson from the Third Commandment
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Third Commandment and how its warning against idolatry offers a profound lesson in mindfulness. From childhood posters to spiritual projections, we often cling to permanence in a world of constant change. Through a grounding meditation on breath, Josh helps us soften the grip on our inner idols and embrace the ever-unfolding nature of life.
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Avoiding Distraction: Mindfulness and the Second Commandment
What do Instagram, your phone, and ancient idols have in common? This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Second Commandment—"You shall have no other gods"—as a deep call to mindful living. He shares how distraction can become a modern form of idolatry and guides listeners through a meditation practice rooted in the mystical verse Shiviti Hashem l’negdi tamid. In the second episode in a seri
The First Commandment: Anochi as Spiritual Grounding
In this first episode of a new series on the Ten Commandments, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores Anochi—“I the Eternal am your God”—as the essential ground of being and an invitation to spiritual connection, not just an ancient commandment. Learn how this foundational utterance can help you mindfully move from constriction to spaciousness and cultivate radical acceptance in your daily life. Guided med
Love Your Neighbor: The Heart of Jewish Ethics (Part 10)
In the finale of the Jewish Ethics series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself--v’ahavta l’reiakha kamokha. Drawing on personal stories of community during grief, classical commentaries like Ibn Ezra and Ramban, and a guided meditation, this episode reveals how loving others is a mindful practice rooted in seeing every person as created btzelem elohim,
Honoring Elders: A Mitzvah Against Ageism (Part 9)
In a culture obsessed with youth and novelty, the Torah offers a radically different vision: “Mipnei seivah takum”—rise before the elderly. This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the mitzvah of honoring elders as both an ethical imperative and a powerful opportunity for mindfulness. Drawing on Jewish wisdom, comedy legend Mel Brooks, and spiritual practice, Josh invites us to confront our own d
The Lost Art of Feedback: How Judaism Teaches Us to Give and Receive (Part 8)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Jewish ethical practice of tochacha—offering and receiving rebuke or negative feedback with compassion and clarity. Rooted in Leviticus and echoed by the Rabbis and Proverbs, this "lost art" is reframed as a path to wisdom, humility, and growth. Learn mindful strategies to embrace feedback as a sacred tool for becoming your best self.
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Special: Finding Peace in a Time of War. A Guided Jewish Meditation
In this special wartime episode of Soulful Jewish Living, Rabbi Josh Feigelson offers a heartfelt response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. With compassion for those directly impacted and those watching from afar, Josh leads listeners through a powerful mindfulness and blessing practice rooted in the priestly blessing. Designed to foster inner calm and spiritual connection amids
The Power of Words: Mindful Jewish Speech in a Noisy World (Part 7)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Jewish ethical tradition of shemirat hadibbur—guarding one’s speech. In a time when language often feels weaponized or meaningless, Judaism reminds us of the holiness of words. From the Torah’s account of creation to the vows of Yom Kippur, words shape reality. In the latest episode in a series on Jewish ethics, Josh introduces five powerful questions rooted in B
Return to Sender: Jewish Ethics and the Courage to Notice (Part 6)
What do missing bunnies, forgotten wallets, and overlooked people have in common? In the latest installment of a series on Jewish ethics, Rabbi Josh Feigelson draws on unexpected wisdom from the beloved children’s book Knuffle Bunny to explore the deeply rooted Jewish mitzvah of hashavat aveidah—returning lost objects. This episode bridges Jewish ethics with practical mindfulness and draws on the
Jewish Teachings on Wealth, Happiness, and the Art of Generosity (Part 5)
This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on how his bar mitzvah helped shape his lifelong relationship with tzedakah—Jewish giving. Inspired by tzedakah advocate Danny Siegel, Rabbi Feigelson recounts how choosing generosity over gifts shifted his perspective on possessions, wealth, and happiness. This fifth installment in the “Jewish Ethics” miniseries goes beyond the immediate, face-to-face acts
The Spiritual Power of Giving: Tzedakah in Jewish Ethics (Part 4)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson shares a personal story that becomes a powerful lesson in tzedakah, the Jewish ethical obligation to give. Through an unexpected moment outside a Walgreens, Josh explores the deep emotional and spiritual layers that arise when we encounter people in need—and how choosing to act with compassion can reconnect us to our divine purpose. In the latest episode in a series on Jewish
Jewish Ethics in Action: Why Visiting the Sick Is Sacred (Part 3)
In this heartwarming episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the timeless Jewish mitzvah of bikkur cholim—visiting the sick. Using the classic film The Princess Bride as a surprising entry point, Rabbi Feigelson reminds us that the story begins not with sword fights or giants, but with an act of love and compassion: a grandfather visiting his ill grandson. The latest episode in a 10-part series on
The Sacred Art of Hospitality: Jewish Mindfulness and Ethics (Part 2)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim—welcoming guests—as a core element of Jewish ethics and spiritual life. In the second episode in a series on Jewish ethics and mindfulness, Rabbi Feigelson draws from personal Passover memories, teachings from his Hillel rabbi, and Talmudic wisdom. He unpacks how hospitality is more than symbolic—it’s a deeply vulnerable, godly, and sp
You Are Infinitely Valuable: Jewish Ethics and Mindfulness (Part 1)
In this powerful new series, Rabbi Josh Feigelson kicks off a 10-part exploration of Jewish ethics by diving into one of Judaism’s most profound teachings: that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God. This episode sets the stage for a deeper journey through Jewish ethical mitzvot like hospitality, care for the sick, and mindful speech—grounded in the belief that Jewish m
Special Crossover: The Star of David (Jewish History Nerds)
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Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every
Going Home for Passover: Creating a Seder of Safety, Freedom, and Presence (Part 2)
In this deeply personal pre-Passover episode, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores how the holiday of Pesach is designed to help us feel truly at home—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Discover why the seder is more than just a meal—it’s a mindful container for healing, listening, and growth. From childhood memories of a basement seder to the sacred ritual of opening the door for Elijah, Josh ref
Spiritual Freedom and the Meaning of Passover: A Mindful Reflection (Part 1)
As we prepare for Passover, Rabbi Josh Feigelson invites listeners to reflect on the deeper spiritual message of the holiday: moving from servitude under Pharaoh to a sacred relationship with the Divine, and recognizing how independence and interdependence are intertwined. With stories from his Detroit roots and a short guided meditation, this episode offers both insight and practice for a meaning
Havdalah: Shabbat Rituals, Transitions & Spiritual Mindfulness (Part 7)
In this final episode of our 7-part Shabbat rituals miniseries, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the deep spiritual meaning of Havdalah, the ritual that marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week. Why do transitions matter so much—emotionally, spiritually, and culturally? From national borders to baseball strike zones, Rabbi Josh reflects on how boundaries shape our lives, and how Havda
Shabbat Shalom: A Simple Greeting, A Sacred Ritual (Part 6)
This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the quiet power of one of Judaism’s most familiar yet often overlooked rituals: saying Shabbat Shalom. Rabbi Feigelson invites us to reflect on how this simple greeting becomes a meaningful spiritual practice—one that reconnects us with peace, presence, and the divine in each other. In the latest installment of a seven part miniseries on mindfulness and Sha
Preparing for Shabbat: Mindful Rituals to Welcome Rest (Part 5)
This week, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the ritual of preparing for Shabbat, the weekly day of rest in Jewish tradition. From setting the table to aligning with natural rhythms, he discusses how Shabbat preparation fosters mindfulness, intentionality, and spiritual connection. In the fifth installment in a miniseries on mindfulness and Shabbat, Rabbi Feigelson draws on ancient Jewish wisdom and s
Shabbat Unplugged: Escaping the Grip of Our Phones (Part 4)
Are our phones becoming our “precious”? Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores how our relationship with technology mirrors Gollum’s obsession with the Ring of Power in the Lord of the Rings Series. Drawing on Jewish wisdom and the spirit of Shabbat, Rabbi Feigelson offers practical steps to reset our digital habits and create a meaningful “tech sabbath.” In the fourth installment of a miniseries on mindfu
The Spiritual Power of Challah: Mindful Eating on Shabbat (Part 3)
Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the deep spiritual and practical significance of food on Shabbat—particularly the rituals of washing hands and blessing the challah. In the third episode in a series on Shabbat rituals, discover how a simple act like eating can become an opportunity for mindfulness, gratitude, and connection to Jewish tradition.
Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices for Every Day
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