Ep. 38 - Pure Altruism: A Mitzvah Lishma

Unlock the deeper essence of Jewish mitzvahs (commandments) in this enlightening episode of the Everyday Judaism podcast. You'll discover how understanding the profound motivations behind Jewish commandments can enrich your spiritual practice and ignite a passionate connection to your faith. While the primary drive is always the divine command, we explore how recognizing additional benefits, like the joyous family moments on Shabbos, can enhance your observance and bring more joy to your spiritual journey.

We journey through the wisdom of mitzvahs, focusing on practices like wearing tzitzit, which embody layers of spiritual meaning beyond their divine origin. Through captivating stories, such as the life-saving power of tzitzit, we illustrate that while these narratives provide personal comfort, the true essence lies in the commitment to divine instructions. The discussion also paints a vivid contrast between individuals isolated from communal knowledge and those who embrace it, underscoring the value of trusting established wisdom for spiritual growth.

Gender separation in Judaism often carries misconceptions, but we address this with clarity and insight. Highlighting its role in maintaining spiritual focus and preventing misconduct, the episode draws from the Talmud and contemporary practices to emphasize its importance. Moreover, we celebrate the tradition of inquiry within Judaism, encouraging listeners to harness the power of questioning as a tool for spiritual expansion. This episode offers a transformative exploration of Jewish traditions, inviting you to connect more deeply with your faith and embrace the wisdom it holds.

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The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way.
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This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen Lerner

• Download & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5

This episode (Ep. #29) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on April 27, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on May 11, 2025
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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!
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SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
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