Taste and you'll find that G-d is good. If it's not good, it's not G-d.
@zib5781
Жыл бұрын
Toda raba! Exactly what I feel in the last months. This Shabbat was a turning point, and I can’t be more thankful for expressing these important truths!
@eilecha
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate this podcast so much. What a space, what an opportunity for open dialogue, for authentic sharing... absolutely tremendous. A thought (and I really mean this in the spirit of opening conversation, not ch"v to hurt anyone in any way): There is a lot of reference here to Judaism "working". The premise seems to be that Judaism is meant to bring us to a place of health/happiness/meaning/fulfillment etc., and if it doesn't, then it must not be worth continuing to adhere to it. But I wonder whether there might be a different perspective. The Torah claims to be true. And so it's not so much about it being "good" or not, but whether it's "true" or not (reference to the Rambam's famous understanding of Cheit Eitz HaDaas etc. - they shifted from choosing true from false to choosing good from bad). And if it's true, then perhaps we have to shift our approach to it, our perspectives about it, our understanding of what it actually is vs. societal/ideological pressures totally foreign and extraneous to its spirit, but it never becomes about stopping to engage Jewishly because of how we subjectively feel about it. So when Eli pushes back at 24 min mark, saying we don't need to use expressions like throwing baby out with the bathwater etc., we can just say "it wasn't working", maybe we need to examine our definitions of "working" before then approaching our perspective on whether it is or isn't. - addition, (still watching) The conversation seems to be getting blurred between "derech eretz kadmah" and "l'Torah" (I left a comment about that on the Rabbi Taub interview). A person could have extremely powerful "derech eretz" - amazingly healthy perspectives, middos, having done inner work etc. etc. But holding such a person up against a "rabbi" (as is suggested 40 mins in) is unfair, because again - who said that all of this is what Torah is intended to accomplish? "Chochmah bagoyim taamin", there is extraordinarily powerful context-related wisdom by the nations of the world (breathwork, meditation, plant ceremonies etc. etc.) But "Torah bagoyim al taamin", this is still not "Torah". Torah is something else. It has a different intention. Sure, Torah needs a healthy vessel of "derech eretz". But Torah accomplishes something else. It's unfair to compare "guilt-tripping" someone into Torah and "guilt-tripping" someone into breathwork. The Torah has a framework for doing things unconsciously, even unwillingly. "Mitoch shelo lishma etc." But something real is still accomplished. A better comparison would be guilt-tripping your kid into drinking water. It's something that is objectively good for him, irrespective of how begrudgingly he drinks the water. (Again, all of this is the Torah's perspective on Torah which anyone is free to take or leave. But because this is the Torah perspective, it complicates the matter significantly enough to mention.)
@eilecha
Жыл бұрын
Re the fear aspect - it's something I struggle with a lot as well. If "you're gonna burn in hell" is all we get, out of any other context, it's incredibly damaging. But I am coming to discover more and more that as descendants of Yaakov Avinu who blends the love of Avraham together with the severity of Yitzchak, we really need both. I recently read through the entire sefer Yermiyahu. There's a lot of "fire and brimstone" in there. But I walked away incredibly inspired. I recognized how *real* all this is, how essentially intense it is to be a Jew - irrespective of my personal feelings. I recognized how much Hashem really does care what we do, how much He really does long for a relationship, how much it really does pain Him to see us wandering a road that is foreign to our essence, to His vision for us which is, quite literally for us; for our benefit (if we can engage with it in a healthy way), not for His. Extremes of any kind are never good. What we need is nuance, balance, synthesis. The way to battle one extreme is not by going to the other. Because that's another form of the same thing - more extremism. The way to battle an extreme is to patiently, lovingly, carefully discover a center of balance, health, and nuance. That's "emes" - aleph, mem, tav; the whole aleph beis, the whole spectrum, the full picture. Perhap's, as b'nei Yaakov, the "amud ha'emes", that's our national enterprise, to shine that light in the world. This speaks to the "inner voice" as well. Sometimes feeling of "shame", the feeling that something is off etc. might actually be something we'd be wise to listen to instead of seeing it as part of the "religious system of control". It takes a lot of work to filter out the unhealthy voices from the healthy ones, but it would be unfortunate to lump them all together and banish any sort of moral compass because it might suggest we aren't currently living how we should. Here's something I recently wrote that expresses this. It's helped me a ton, maybe it can be of value to someone out there as well: **CHESSED** "You are a product of your upbringing, your traumas, your negative experiences. Go easy on yourself, cut yourself some slack. There's no shame in being human, in grappling with your challenges, so many of which were caused by the unhealthy or unconscious choices of others." A potentially liberating perspective. (Avraham Avinu) "Phew, I'm not as worthless as I thought. I've been through a lot, and so many of my struggles are the result of me trying to fill a hole that was dug, or never filled, by others in my life or healthier behaviors I could have latched on to instead. I'm a good person, I'm a spark of light, I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances. I'm OK." A potentially crippling perspective: (Yishma'el) "Wow, I guess I really am stuck. My challenges go so much deeper than I thought - there really is dysfunction at the deepest root of my psyche. I have no control over my behavior, it's been conditioned by the experiences that were well beyond the range of my control. Perhaps anger is my only recourse - anger at and brooding over the past, defiant deepening of my acting out as an expression of what has been done to me, and mournful reflecting over what could have been." **GEVURAH** "Enough of this 'conditioning' nonsense. We all have total free choice - you're just lazy. You went through traumas in your past? We all did! You can choose to move past them. Your past doesn't need to define you. Your lower self wants to pretend it does so you can continue to justify your pathetic lack of interesting in trying hard enough." A potentially liberating perspective: (Yitzchak Avinu) "He's right. I need to make more of an effort. I can be doing so much more, implementing so many more changes in attempt to get things together. I don't want to wallow in self-pity my whole life, I'll never get anywhere. I want to progress, proceed, grow. And it's on me to exercise the requisite discipline necessary to see real change. I'm ready!" A potentially crippling perspective: (Eisav) "I knew it. I'm a good for nothing. All my failed attempts at change are a result of my own bad choices, and my conceptualization of them as influenced by my difficult past were just spineless attempts at justifying my terrible behavior. I deserve to feel this shame, I deserve for my life to be falling apart. I am fundamentally flawed, and it's all my fault. **TIFERES** "You've been through difficulties in your life, challenges that resulted from the behavior of others, and your unhealthy choices reflect your desperate attempts at protecting that part of you that's been so hurt, that's felt so badly for all these years. There is no shame in your journey, no shame at all. You are a good person, a sweet person, a holy person. And the choices you've been making reflect the internal atmosphere from which they emerge; an atmosphere of pain, self-doubt, anxiety, distrust, fear, and sadness caused by your experiences. And, with all of this in mind, you can choose to seek healing. You can apply whatever measure of discipline you can muster in doing the work necessary to heal - whatever that may be for you. You are colored by your past, but not chained to it." A healthy perspective: (Yaakov Avinu - am Yisrael) "I can't dismiss the pain I have experienced along my journey - it's very real, as are the effects on every aspect of my personality. My life has been colored by those traumas, they have informed my behaviors and made certain things more difficult for me than they are for others. I don't need to feel shameful about my failures - I understand them on a deeper level, I see them for what they are. This having been said, I know for myself that I can put a bit more effort into moving my life forward. There are moments where the demon of the past takes over, sure. But if I'm being honest, there are other moments too. Moments of greater sanity and capacity for control. I can take concrete steps to seek healing, to implement lifestyle changes, to choose the life I want to be living. That's within the realm of my choice. And if or when, along the journey, I fall, I fail, I slip up, I act out? There's no shame - I'm up against a whole lot, and I'm doing my best. I pick myself back up and carry on doing just that - my best. Because irrespective of whatever anyone else's 'best' looks like, my best is good enough for me." לא עליך המלאכה לגמור ואין אתה בן חורין להיבטל ממנה
@TaniPolanskyMusic
Жыл бұрын
@eilecha5514 did you write up the full gamut of the sefirot experience in this light ?
@alexklein455
Жыл бұрын
I absolutely love this podcast. I've been struggling with this for a while and you guys helped me find some clarity on my struggles. I always felt like I wanted to be connected but the ways everyone wanted me to be connected simply didn't work for me. It brings me immense joy to hear that I'm not the only one with these struggles. Thanks again.
@tobybarg4488
Жыл бұрын
Meir, there are many young people out there who do not feel empowered to even discuss that they are on a journey. It’s going to be helpful for them to see that it’s okay to be in a process. The tone you set was one of humility, reverence and desire for peace. The young people need to know that the end game is peace. Listening to you both here will-I think- free them to feel more okay about themselves and rename what they’re experiencing as not being OFF of a derech or “failing” but rather ON a quest for peace and connection to G-d. You have always been about spreading Simcha and Ahava so it is fitting that you should be the shaliach for this. (Sincerely, the teacher).
@shlomienathanson5059
Жыл бұрын
This podcast episode has been beyond a relief ( like releasing the breath that you have been holding onto ) creating a space to any possibility can come from a person and not formed from a childhood belief taught by a parental figure or belief figure of Jewish religion. Form a connection without the abuse and shame (identified as guilt)
@aryeh-kunstler
Жыл бұрын
This was extremely profound, vulnerable, and inspiring. I think in today’s world, we need connection the most, and that doesn’t necessarily mean connection through being religious or the practices that we grew up with. We live in a world where we are able to find ourselves and find what works for us in order to live fulfilling lives. Kudos to both of you for an amazing conversation.
@chaimlevin125
Жыл бұрын
I cannot judge those who feel the need to disconnect in order to rediscover their relationship with G-D but I will say that I believe it shows real maturity when one can separate the past from their connection to G-D and understand that their connection is not dependent on how it was taught to them and that it’s still true. After the holocaust many people turned away from the Torah but they could not be judged as they went through literal hell on earth, but there were those who managed to remain steadfast in their beliefs and they are considered literal Tzadikim as it’s unnatural for a human being to be able to hold so strongly in their faith after being put through such a painful experience and seeming abandonment by G-D. It was the connection to their innate love for G-D that kept them going. Again I respect those who feel the need to take a step back to once again walk forward but I admire those who are able to understand that no matter how hurtful their experiences were, their connection to G-D is not dependent upon them and that their relationship with G-D and the Torah is true and everlasting.
@erikeliezer
Ай бұрын
I'm so happy to have discovered this podcast. I resonate deeply with so much of what you both have shared, and it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone. When you described how people often say things like “you’re doing it wrong” or that “everyone else is so unhappy”-whether referring to non-Jews or Jews who don’t keep Torah and mitzvot-I felt a sense of validation for my own beliefs. Throughout my journey, people in my life frequently told me I was “doing it wrong” even though I was just trying to follow the guidance of the rabbis, the Torah, and the Rebbe. I was a Baal Teshuva and, after about eight years, I found myself feeling disconnected despite my role as a rabbi. It didn’t work out for me, but I still often feel like I “did it wrong.” Even five years after stepping away, I still think about Hashem constantly, as Meir mentioned, and it continues to weigh on me. I truly appreciate the insights and support you provide. Hatzlacha rabbah in all your endeavors!
@poeticmeditationsbyyaffa
Жыл бұрын
I always loved Meir Kay’s energy, he truly embodies his namesake , as being a beaming shining light for us all, but it’s even more inspiring to see how we have similar spiritual journeys. It also took me taking a step back from the frum community I grew up in to become closer to Gd than I ever have been. I also feel like internally I am coming back to my roots as well, but like Meir has said only in the first few minutes, serving Hashem in the way that is best for my unique soul.
@joemiz25
Жыл бұрын
Meir, I love you your my brother and I hold you very dear to me I just want to say as a Baal tshuva and a long journey Gd gave us the Torah to connect to him if we want to connect to him there is only one way through his mitzvot emes
@SPNDS1980
Жыл бұрын
Judaism is not a religion - you will never find that word in the Torah, it is a way of life!
@MenachemWeinstein
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom Meir 🙏
@billdubya
Жыл бұрын
אין חדש תחת השמש The 60s we did this already with the Hippie generation. How did that work out for their children? Just do what works.
@chayap.199
Жыл бұрын
Judaism Vs. Human Jews. How to keep humans thriving in a super high demanding religion?
@colinwest412
Жыл бұрын
Looking like Jesus
@ary-shalom8356
7 ай бұрын
I enjoyed this interview SO MUCH! Gentlemen. I relate with your experience quite deeply as a former Christian singer at church and having had tons of expectations from others. Religious programming is very similar no matter the religion. Oh! there is so much to talk about and so much in common! The path to God can be honest and true when we start digging and questioning. HE is ONE, but, are we? That’s the quest! To achieve a true Shalom!
@nunnyeh
Жыл бұрын
the holy balshemtov has a beautiful torah on the first bruchah of shmonah esreh it starts off : ברוך אתה ה' "אלקינו". Blessed are you hashem, "my god". First thing is that it has to be my god (my relationship with him aka finding him) and olny then can you continue: ואלקי אבותינו The god of my father's (my father's relationship to hashem) בהלאוא!
@poeticmeditationsbyyaffa
Жыл бұрын
I’m obsessed with this podcast omg!!! Yass Yass Yass lol. Agree with everything y’all are saying!
@hayaozar
6 ай бұрын
It was such a good conversation It really put word on many frustrations I have had and still have about religion! Thank you
@sholoy480
Жыл бұрын
GD of Abraham and Moshe does not survive without the religion of Judaism and the constructs of Halacha. Fix the religion from within.
@sarakaplan3396
Жыл бұрын
I think that perhaps if you, and/or your educators would have available “From Boys to Men” by Rabbi Shloimie Zimmerman, you and many others, would have had an easier time.
@yaakovschy
Жыл бұрын
I think anyone who has had major questions and concerns with observance is simply given big nissayons by Hashem. We can't judge them. There's reasons we can't see for them.
@BenRutstein
Жыл бұрын
I think having a system with high expectations and hardly any support gives a sense of fear/loneliness
@chaimlevin125
Жыл бұрын
That’s why I don’t judge anyone who feels like they need a break but I believe that true maturity is coming to the realization that keeping the Torah isn’t a burden placed on us by our parents or community but rather our individual connection to G-D. The problem I see is that many people attribute their journey to the way the connection was manifested and associate the relationship as one between themselves and man as opposed to themselves and G-D. After the holocaust many turned away from Judaism but they could not be judged as they went through so much but those that chose to remain are literal tzadikim. It is not of human nature to remain steadfast in one’s faith after seemingly being abandoned to die a terrible death. We all have the power and innate ability to overcome the challenges presented to us as G-D doesn’t place a challenge if one doesn’t have the ability to overcome it. Again I respect those who feel the need to disconnect in order to rediscover their relationship with G-D but I admire those who are able to discover that connection without throwing off the yoke of Torah. It shows real maturity and connection to their innate love of G-D.
@colinwest412
Жыл бұрын
Meir ur looking alright 👌 like Jesus himself!!!
@mooshi8813
Жыл бұрын
Excellent conversation!
@bruriahherman
Жыл бұрын
Wholeness is a lifetime journey!!!
@DinaMark-i7c
Жыл бұрын
@Eli @Meir That's just, like, your opinion, Man!!!! @1:20
@levilaber1228
Жыл бұрын
A conversation of souls, beautiful
@nuchemwosner3705
Жыл бұрын
Keep trudging brother, your awesome 💙❤️💖
@poeticmeditationsbyyaffa
Жыл бұрын
I also never imagined I’d go “OTD” either …😊
@SLMars.
6 ай бұрын
Amazing Episode!! Keep it up Guys!
@SPNDS1980
Жыл бұрын
at 1:05 - Which podcast are you referring to with Shais Taub - you have a few?
@elimeilechsandel4376
Жыл бұрын
how can i participate in the breathwork and other types of communal work/ceremonies you do?
@yossi8911
Жыл бұрын
Me thinks he likes the ladies too much !
@Leboroxit
Жыл бұрын
Amazing talk! Where can one reach Meir at?
@yossi8911
Жыл бұрын
Is Gerson Selinger also a son of God ?
@judilano770
5 ай бұрын
1:33:27 thank you guys
@yossi8911
Жыл бұрын
One word: poonani
@patrickmccaw8122
10 ай бұрын
Love this❤
@thinkingaloudwithmendel
Жыл бұрын
“I’m trying to be linear” Kol Hakavod for stepping way out of your comfort zone Meir. I really relate with the way you think and go about processing your experience. God, religion, man and Torah often get confused as the greatest good. Judaism is not all it is to be a Jew. The religion part of being a Jew is the scaffolding for a Jews connection to Torah. We all to often end up worshiping and holding on to the scaffolding at the expense of the primary relationship. Being able to differentiate been ‘religious’ people and religion. Judaism and Am Yisroel. God and my father. Religion and Torah. Has been a work in progress but tremendously beneficial. Shame is a horrible horrible mechanism. Religions as a tool for control and compliance is undeniable and to think our religion was immune would be incredibly arrogant. “Trying to be linear” but writing as in listening. ❤
@thinkingaloudwithmendel
Жыл бұрын
Oh, and you don’t have to be Chabad to be a good Jew…
@shlomolawrence6695
Жыл бұрын
Talmeeday Chachumim
@effy3720
Жыл бұрын
I feel his disconfort.
@nilisalem613
Жыл бұрын
so good thank you guys
@srulywettenstein9471
Жыл бұрын
Breath work!
@waitingforthemoon9492
4 ай бұрын
What a fascinating conversation. As a 50 something year old who grew up Chabad and left relatively recently I resonate with much that is spoken about. Unlike Eli and Meir, I took my davening very seriously for most of my life. Eventually I came to realise that the God I was davening to - Hashem - was actually a Rabbinic invention. I simply couldn’t reconcile the words of davening with reality. I wasn’t prepared to continue to create the mental gymnastics to try and make it make sense. Once I realised that the original Jewish God of the Torah was Yahweh and that around the end of the Bayis Sheini the Rabbis needed to create a new version of Judaism they also created a new God - Hashem/Adnonoi. Everything now fell into place. The Judaism that has been practiced since Bayis Sheini isn’t Bublical Judaism but Rabbinic Judaism. The God of that Judaism is nothing but a figment of Rabbinic imagination. It took me a long time to accept this but once I did, I felt a lot better. I wasn’t rebelling against God. I was rebelling against the Rabbis. The question that remains is, who or what is God? For me, people like Alfred North Whitehead and Henri Bergson point towards a more authentic vision of God. You could say that Kabbalah and Chassidus stripped of Hashem / Yahweh may be a path to a more authentic view of God.
@shmuellichter6826
Жыл бұрын
How can I contact Mayer kay
@InSearchOfMore
Жыл бұрын
You can get in touch with him here: instagram.com/meirkay
@meirsteinberg9684
Жыл бұрын
Hi all, Please look at the wise eloquent words of @eilecha5514 below! Very balanced perspective. Tiferes/ healthy balance, is the Torah way! I very much respect honest conversation about the quest for an authentic relationship with "Elokeinu"-our G-d, our personal connection with the divine. And I pray that all those on this Journey find "Elokeinu" in the G-d of Abraham, Issac, and Jaacob!
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