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Inner Judaism

Inner Judaism

By Ruth Schapira

Explore Judaism through a spiritual lens, with episodes focused on understandings about your soul, your character traits, and your life. In a short amount of time, you’ll feel that you're on a spiritual journey, hearing new and meaningful ways that Judaism speaks to you. I’ll also introduce you to the practices of Mussar, an ancient practice devoted to realizing your own spiritual potential. The development of your soul takes time, so listeners often return to episodes to hear the lessons again. Through Inner Judaism, I hope you discover a new connection with Judaism.
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Currently playing episode

What Judaism Says: The Big Question

Inner JudaismDec 21, 2021

00:00
04:43
Turning Points in Your Life

Turning Points in Your Life

What have been some of the turning points in your life? Can you put yourself in that place or time when you were faced with a decision that instinctively you knew had consequences for the path your life would take?
In this episode, we’ll explore its meaning and how it relates to your own soul.




Feb 09, 202412:14
Open the Power of Peoplehood
Dec 24, 202309:52
The Meaning of Mussar in Your Life
Dec 11, 202310:40
Stand Up, Rise Up

Stand Up, Rise Up

As Jews, we are experiencing some of the most difficult times in history. The level of hatred against our people is shocking. What spiritual teachings that will have meaning in this time? We can look to our tradition for insight, because the experience of living in times of hate has been encountered many, many times before. Please listen and respond with any comments to innerjudaism@gmail.com

Nov 20, 202309:48
Discover the Spiritual Meaning of "Faith"

Discover the Spiritual Meaning of "Faith"

You might be surprised to learn there is no word that exactly means Faith in the Hebrew Bible. But, how can that be? Isn’t the Torah about our relationship with God, our belief in God?

In this episode we’ll explore the Jewish concept of faith, beginning with learning the word in Hebrew, Emunah, and what it actually means.

Oct 24, 202312:33
Holding On to Time

Holding On to Time

In Judaism, the very notion of TIME is sacred. That in itself is amazing. How and why does Judaism place such an important value on the passage of time? We’ll scrape a bit of the surface of this idea in this episode, and I hope you’ll join me.

Oct 03, 202308:35
Unlock the Power of Self-Discovery

Unlock the Power of Self-Discovery

How can we become our best selves? That’s what we’re asked to focus on in this season of self-reflection. We'll explore the process of learning about ourselves from a Jewish perspective.


Please send me your comments, I'd love to hear from you: innerjudaism@gmail.com

Sep 06, 202310:24
Feeling the Love in the month of Elul

Feeling the Love in the month of Elul

The Hebrew month of Elul, is a time of introspection before the High Holidays. But what does that really mean? How are we to think about this? In this episode, I hope to reframe your thinking about what this process truly means for your life.


I'd love to hear any comments or questions you have. Please write me at innerjudaism@gmail.com

Aug 16, 202310:47
What's in a Name?

What's in a Name?

In this episode, we’ll explore Names and Naming which in the Jewish tradition, has a lot of significance beginning with Adam in the Bible. We’ll go into some depth about the Hebrew meaning of the name Adam and its spiritual meaning...and what this all might mean for you. I hope you’ll join me.

Please connect with me at ruthschapira@innerjudaism.com -- I'd love to hear from you.


Jul 12, 202310:08
When Truth is Up for Grabs

When Truth is Up for Grabs

In this episode, we’ll explore the notion of TRUTH, which is a huge concept, to be sure, but we’ll just examine one small aspect of the idea of truth, a little bit about what it meant for our sages and what it might mean for you in your own life.

Jul 05, 202311:50
What builds real power in Judaism

What builds real power in Judaism

In this episode, we'll explore the character trait known as Gevurah in Hebrew, which means strength. We’ll learn the deeper, spiritual meaning of the word and how you can cultivate resilience and self-discipline when facing challenges.



Jun 20, 202310:38
The Spiritual Trait of Awareness
Jun 02, 202310:20
A New Way to Think about Patience

A New Way to Think about Patience

Mussar has a specific definition of the character trait of Patience. Listen to this episode which explains a meaning you might not realize. If you're intrigued about the practice of Mussar, check out more information at InnerJudaism.com



Mar 30, 202310:39
Everyday Miracles: A visualization about Yirah - Awe

Everyday Miracles: A visualization about Yirah - Awe

In this episode of the Inner Judaism podcast you'll experience a guided visualization for how miracles surround us every day….but often go unnoticed.

I hope that by the end of this podcast, you will have experienced a deeper connection with the spiritual side of Judaism. I appreciate your comments! Please email me at ruthschapira@innerjudaism.com 

Feb 03, 202309:51
The Real Truth of Torah

The Real Truth of Torah

In what ways is the Torah relevant for me personally? How can an ancient text, with material that I sometimes can't relate to, speak to me today? Listen to this episode for a different way to think about the messages the Torah has for us, on a weekly basis. 

Jan 20, 202307:57
December 18, 2022

December 18, 2022

Dec 18, 202200:56
What does it mean to love God?
Dec 12, 202209:27
Blessing the Broken
Nov 03, 202209:15
The True Nature of Blessings
Sep 12, 202209:54
Words are a THING

Words are a THING

This episode will give you a new way of thinking about something we do everyday...every one of us....every single day. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and relax with me a bit as we explore the news ways that our techno-centric society has changed our very definition of the word WORD. 


Visit www.innerjudaism.com to subscribe to Inner Focus, an uplifting spiritual newsletter.

Sep 01, 202210:11
Jewish Prayer as a Dialogue

Jewish Prayer as a Dialogue

Why is Praying to God Sometimes So Hard? 

It's difficult to muster up the emotional content you need to develop a relationship with God when you connect only a few times a year. This podcast will encourage you to begin that relationship.  

Aug 17, 202209:11
Jewish Visualization - In The Wilderness

Jewish Visualization - In The Wilderness

Along with our ancestors, we leave a narrow place in search of a spiritual home. Join me to experience the wilderness, the Midbar and what it might mean for you. 

Aug 09, 202207:28
Jewish Visualization - Everyday Mysteries
Jul 22, 202208:19
Jewish Meditation: The trait of Envy / Kin'ah
Jun 28, 202210:04
The Real Hebrew Meaning of Gratitude
Jun 08, 202207:49
Judaism's Understanding of Speech
May 26, 202211:15
Jewish Meditation: The Trait of Trust / Bitachon

Jewish Meditation: The Trait of Trust / Bitachon

How can we begin to understand what it means to Trust in God? To trust in the One of All Being? 

We can begin by recognizing the trait of trust that we already experience...every single day. We can cultivate our 'mental muscle' to help us gain an ability to have Trust. 

With this podcast, you will have the ability to experience the character trait of Trust, of Bitachon (Hebrew).

If you were moved by this podcast, please share your experience with me or any feedback at ruthschapira@innerjudaism.com 

May 18, 202210:01
Jewish Meditation: The Gift of Life

Jewish Meditation: The Gift of Life

Take a few minutes to appreciate that your very life---your breath---is a gift! 

Mar 23, 202205:57
A Jewish Soul Story

A Jewish Soul Story

How do we bring a sacred quality into our day-to-day interactions? It's not as complicated as you might think. Listen to find out.  

Jan 21, 202205:53
What Judaism Says About Making Mistakes
Jan 13, 202205:54
What Judaism Says: The Big Question
Dec 21, 202104:43
One Response to Dara Horn's People Love Dead Jews

One Response to Dara Horn's People Love Dead Jews

I had to deal with being repulsed by the title of Dara Horn's new book before I could bring myself to read it. But now that I have, you have to read it too. Find out why. 

Dec 08, 202105:26
Welcome to Inner Judaism's Podcast

Welcome to Inner Judaism's Podcast

The month of Elul, before Rosh Hashanah, is a time for introspection. It's a time that our tradition tells us God is close to us. What does that mean and how might we respond? 

Aug 10, 202112:16