In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman explores the Baal Shem Tov's insights on spiritual growth through a mystical lens. Reflecting on Parshat Noach, Rabbi Ben delves into how the Baal Shem Tov compares the spiritual journeys of Noah and Abraham, shedding light on their unique paths toward the Divine. Through stories and teachings, Rabbi Ben brings to …

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman presents a guided meditation on teshuvah/returning.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman shares a story about how we view time from the Seer of Lublin.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode, I present an interview I did with my friend Moshe Lev (Robert) Greenblatt in around 2004. He discusses early Jewish renewal, and his post Holocaust struggle with God. Here is his Wikipedia page:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Greenblatt_%28anti_war_activist%29By Rabbi Ben Newman

Commentary on Parshat Va-Era from Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this enlightening episode of the Neshamah Project, Rabbi Ben Newman delves into the profound depths of Parshat Shemot, guided by the insightful commentary of Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl. This discussion unveils the spiritual exile of awareness experienced by the Israelites in Egypt, a metaphor for our own times when consciousness can feel…

In this episode of the Neshamah Project, Rabbi Ben Newman delves into the mystical teachings of the Degel Machaneh Ephraim on Parshat Vayishlach, exploring its profound spiritual insights. Rabbi Newman offers a unique interpretation that emphasizes mindfulness and the elevation of the material world to divine consciousness. Join us for a journey th…

In this episode we delve into a commentary of Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl on Parshat Toldot.By Rabbi Ben Newman

Some readings from Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav on joy and suffering.By Rabbi Ben Newman

Four Worlds Meditation for Healing and Connection:Embark on a 20-minute transformative journey through the Kabbalistic framework of the Four Worlds. This meditation guides listeners from the tangible realm of Asiyah (Action) to the transcendent sphere of Atzilut (Emanation), fostering a deep connection to one's physical, emotional, intellectual, an…

In this short meditation for Sukkot journey through the spiritual dimensions of the Seven Directions – East, South, West, North, Up, Down, and Inside. Embrace the elements of air, fire, earth, and water, and connect deeply with the realms of spirit, the Holy Blessed One, and the immanent divine presence. This serene session harmonizes your soul wit…

Join Rabbi Ben Newman in this evocative episode of The Neshamah Project as he delves into the profound theme of impermanence, symbolized by the fragile walls of the sukkah. Drawing inspiration from the Mei HaShiloach's tale of Rabbi Yehoshua's encounter with the Athenian sages, Rabbi Newman weaves together the teachings of Kohelet, the ephemeral na…

Step into the serene fields of Elul with this guided meditation. Tradition whispers that the Divine awaits us in these meadows, ready to listen and connect. Traverse a landscape of reflection, encounter the radiant Presence, and emerge with blessings and insights to illuminate your High Holy Days and beyond.…

In this episode of the Neshamah Project, Rabbi Ben Newman delves into the celebration of Tu B'Av, the Jewish Day of Love. Historically, this summer holiday served as a day of matchmaking, where young women donned white dresses and danced in vineyards. It also marked a significant turning point in Jewish history: the day when intermarriage between J…

In this episode, we talk to Rabbi Michael Strassfeld about the future of Judaism and Torah in honor of the Hebrew month of Sivan and Shavuot. Text sheet is here:https://bit.ly/sivantextsBy Rabbi Ben Newman

A short teaching from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi's book "The First Step: A primer of Jews Spiritual Life" called mmaleh kol almin.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode we interview Rabbi Jill Hammer, Phd. on the topic of Shechinah in honor of the Hebrew month of Nisan. The text sheet can be found here: bit.ly/shechinahpdfBy Rabbi Ben Newman

In this week's episode we present Hasidic teachings on parshat Vayakhel as translated by Dr. Arthur Green. If you would like to support the work of this podcast and receive bonus content, become a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/TheNeshamahProjectBy Rabbi Ben Newman

In honor of the Hebrew month of Adar this episode contains an interview with Professor Nathaniel Berman on Sitra Achra (The Other Side) and an exploration of Evil in the world, in the Divine and in ourselves. We follow a text sheet created by Professor Berman which can be found here: bit.ly/sitraachra . If you would like to donate to help support t…

In this episode I read a text sheet prepared by Professor Nathaniel Berman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Berman on Sitra Achra (the Other Side)-- supernatural evil that can be found here: bit.ly/sitraachraBy Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode in honor of the month of Shvat when we celebrate Tu Bishvat (the New Year of the Trees), we have part one of our interview with Professor JH Chajes who wrote the recent book The Kabbalistic Tree (https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-09345-1.html) Also see ilanot.org. A wonderful discussion ensues! If you would like to pur…

Reading texts on the idea of the Tree of Life/ Etz Chayyim in honor of the Hebrew month of Shvat. Here is the text sheet: bit.ly/etzchayyimtexts or bit.ly/etzchayyimBy Rabbi Ben Newman

Service at Pleasantville Community Synagogue led by Rabbi Ben Newman and Rabbi Shoshana Leis on 1/13/23.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan (https://www.sophiastreet.com/) Leads us through a text sheet prepared by Professor Daniel Matt on the idea of Devekut in Kabbalah.l Here is a link to the text sheet to follow along: bit.ly/devekutBy Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode we present texts on the idea of "devekut" (clinging or cleaving to the Divine) as collated by Daniel Matt here: bit.ly/devekut in honor of the Hebrew month of Tevet.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode we explore quotes from the Zohar and other traditional Jewish sources, as well as a piece by Emmanuel Levinas on the human soul, and how we may approach the Infinite within us by contracting our egos.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman leads a short guided meditation on Or HaGanuz, the Hidden Inner Light of Awareness.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman interviews the acclaimed Professor Daniel Matt on the idea of Or HaGanuz (the hidden light) in honor of the Hebrew month of Kislev, and in particular, this text sheet that he prepared on the topic: bit.ly/thehiddenlightBy Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode, we present teachings on Or HaGanuz (The Hidden Light) from a series of texts compiled by Professor Daniel Matt. The link to the text sheet can be found here: https://bit.ly/thehiddenlightBy Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode we present teachings from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi on "The spiritual path and the terrain of the soul." Enjoy!By Rabbi Ben Newman

Some teachings from HaTzaddik HaShotek (The Silent Tzaddik) Rebbe Mendel of Warka on the spiritual power of silence.By Rabbi Ben Newman

This week Rabbi Ben discusses a poem by Marge Piercy, and talks about the power of blessing as having awareness of what IS in the current moment.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode we explore the power of intention in language and eating through commentaries on the Torah portion of Noach by The Baal Shem Tov and Menachem Nachem of Chernobyl.By Rabbi Ben Newman

This week we discuss Sukkot using a Yehuda Amichai (below) as our jumping off point. We welcome guests Rabbi Shoshana Leis, Rabbi David Siff, and Michael SafranekYehuda Amichai poem: http://www.phys.unm.edu/~tw/fas/yits/archive/amichai_amaninhislife.htmlBy Rabbi Ben Newman

Teachings on the Jewish New Year and the story of the Clever and Simple Men from Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav.By Rabbi Ben Newman

The traditional piyyut (song/poem) Ben Adam, as sung by Rabbi Ben Newman.By Rabbi Ben Newman

A short meditation on the sounds of the shofar (ram's horn) in honor of the Hebrew month of Elul and the upcoming Jewish New Year.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman reads a mindfulness-influenced translation of Psalm 27 from Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode, Rabbi Ben introduces us to the spiritual preparation of the month of Elul (the month leading up to the High Holy Days) via an excerpt from Rabbi Alan Lew on Elul and this week's Torah portion Parshat Re'eh. He also ends with a reflection on his time at the Rising Song Institute summer gathering with Joey Weisenberg, and a poem he w…

In this episode of the Neshamah Project podcast, we discuss Parshat Eikev with spiritual teacher Maggid Rav Charna Rosenholtz. Our discussion ranges from awareness of causes and conditions in life to R' Isaac Luria, to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, to Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Come along on this journey!…

In this episode of the Neshamah Project podcast, we discuss Parshat Eikev with spiritual teacher Maggid Rav Charna Rosenholtz. Our discussion ranges from awareness of causes and conditions in life to R' Isaac Luria, to Pythagoras, to the circle and the line, to Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Come along on this journey! (NOTE THIS IS THE UNCUT VERSION)…

In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman discusses the Jewish holiday of T"u B'Av (15th of Av) in the context of Miriam the Prophetess, Moses, Isaiah, the Talmud, masculine and feminine, transgender theory, Rabbi Kalomymous Kalman HaLevi Epstein, mysticism, the Messianic age, and the recognizing the Divine in all beings.…

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman discusses Tisha B'Av and presents several selections from the Talmud on why the Temple was destroyed followed by a midrash (creative spiritual story) by Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow on how to move beyond destruction toward the messianic age.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this week we consider the idea of pleasure and sensuality and spirituality through the lens of the Torah commentary of Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl on this week's Torah portion, Matot-Masei, as well as Thich Nhat Hanh and Thubten Chodron.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode, Rabbi Ben Newman presents a brief exploration of the ideas of "Nothingness," the letter aleph, the numbers zero and one and they represent unlimited potential, and the necessary step in any transformation. He presents wisdom from Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, as well as the fiction author Ruth Ozeki, and the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki.…

In this episode Rabbi Ben Newman is joined by Rabbi Shoshana Leis to discuss Parshat Korach. Touched upon is Modernism, Postmodernism, and Integral theory among other topics.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this episode insights on the Torah portion Shlach Lecha, and the worlds we create with our minds. Comments from Maggid of Mezrich and Zeev Wolf of Zhitomir.By Rabbi Ben Newman

Rabbi Ben Newman delves into this week's Torah portion, Be-Ha'alotcha, with the commentary of the Gerer Rebbe Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger which focuses in on the ideas of time, space, and person as well as thought, speech, and action.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this 14th episode of the Neshamah Project, Rabbi Ben Newman discusses G!d as seen through a Hasidic commentary on the Torah portion Naso. He also presents a story from Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav, and a new song based on the Priestly Blessing.By Rabbi Ben Newman

In this 13th episode, Rabbi Ben Newman discusses the final sefirah called Malchut or Shechinah through the writings of Hillel Tzeitlen, Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green, Rachel Pollack, and Rabbi Lynne Gottlieb.By Rabbi Ben Newman