Episodes

  • Schedule Your Midlife Crisis Today!

    Schedule Your Midlife Crisis Today!
    Jan 2 2025

    In this episode, Niv Fishbein reflects on his journey of self-discovery and the concept of midlife crises. He humorously addresses the misconceptions surrounding midlife crises, suggesting that they can be a catalyst for positive change and self-reflection. Niv encourages listeners to take daily inventories of their lives, emphasizing the importance of honesty and personal growth. He concludes with a blessing for everyone to embrace their own midlife crises as opportunities for improvement and fulfillment.

    Takeaways

    I started this journey probably a year and a half ago. It's funny to think about midlife crises. A midlife crisis is actually awesome. Everyone should find time to take a spiritual inventory. If you had a positive midlife crisis every single day, it would be beneficial. Take an actual inventory of what you did that year. What if there isn't more time? A midlife crisis could actually be really good. How do I become better?
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    11 mins
  • Your Vision Is Subjective

    Your Vision Is Subjective
    Dec 20 2024
    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unsolicited Inspiration 00:28 The Challenge of Loving Every Jew 04:15 Understanding the Mitzvah of Avas Yisrael 05:09 The Essence of Loving Every Jew 08:01 Understanding the Core of Jewish Identity 10:56 The Importance of Perspective in Love 17:09 Seeing Through Hashem's Eyes Summary In this episode, the speaker delves into the profound mitzvah of loving every Jew as oneself, exploring the challenges and complexities of this commandment. He emphasizes that true love for others must be unconditional and rooted in the understanding of our shared divine essence. The conversation highlights the importance of seeing others through the lens of Hashem's love, which can transform our interactions and foster a more compassionate community. Takeaways Loving every Jew is a mitzvah and an obligation. The challenge lies in loving unconditionally, beyond personal biases. True love requires active participation and effort. Every Jew is connected to God at their core. Our perceptions of others can be skewed by our biases. The essence of a Jew is their godly soul, which is always connected to Hashem. Seeing others through Hashem's eyes fosters compassion. The mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael is essential for community harmony. Understanding our shared identity can help overcome differences. Active love for others can lead to a more fulfilling spiritual life.
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    19 mins
  • The 200 Jews of Zambia

    The 200 Jews of Zambia
    Dec 18 2024

    Yid With A Lid interviews the Lubavitch Emissary in Zambia, Africa, for his first interview of the podcast.

    To support Rabbi and Mrs. Hertzel at Chabad of Zambia, please make a donation at: https://www.chabadzambia.org/donate
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    57 mins
  • No One Actually Wants Moshiach

    No One Actually Wants Moshiach
    Dec 12 2024

    Summary:

    In this episode, YidWithALid delves into the complex and often uncomfortable topic of Mashiach, exploring the misconceptions, fears, and the true essence of what Mashiach represents in Jewish faith. He discusses the active role individuals must take in awaiting Mashiach, the fear of the unknown, and the contrast between the temporary pleasures of heaven and the ultimate purpose of existence. Fishbein emphasizes that Mashiach is not just about the end of days but about the elevation of our souls and bodies, and the desire for truth in a world filled with uncertainty. Takeaways

    Most Orthodox people don't truly want Mashiach.

    Awaiting Mashiach requires active participation, not just acknowledgment.

    Fear of the unknown is a significant barrier to accepting Mashiach.

    Heaven is not the ultimate goal; Mashiach is.

    The purpose of creation is to bring God's light into the world.

    Mashiach represents the elevation of our souls over our bodies.

    The end of days signifies the end of darkness and the beginning of light.

    Mashiach is about experiencing the truth of our existence.

    We should desire Mashiach for the essence of our being, not just for benefits.

    The time of Mashiach is when God's essence shines through us.

    Keywords

    Mashiach, Jewish faith, spirituality, Lubavitcher Rebbe, resurrection, afterlife, purpose of life, fear of the unknown, truth, existence
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    30 mins
  • Birdless Bird Wings

    Birdless Bird Wings
    Dec 4 2024
    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Religion vs. Spirituality 06:12 The Role of Action in Spirituality 12:04 The Consequences of Missed Opportunities Summary In this episode, Niv Fishbein explores the distinction between religion and spirituality within Judaism, emphasizing the importance of intention (kavanna) and action (mitzvah) in spiritual practices. He uses the metaphor of a bird and its wings to illustrate that both intention and action are necessary for true spiritual elevation. Fishbein warns against the dangers of focusing solely on spirituality without grounding it in actionable practices, highlighting the consequences of missed opportunities in spiritual growth. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to find a balance between their spiritual journeys and the actions that connect them to their faith. Takeaways There is a significant difference between religion and spirituality. Intention (kavanna) is crucial in Jewish practices. Actions (mitzvahs) are essential for spiritual elevation. Spirituality without action is like wings without a bird. Missed opportunities in spirituality cannot be reclaimed. Both intention and action are necessary for true connection to God. Spiritual practices should be grounded in actionable items. The importance of maintaining a balance between spirituality and action. Actions create connections to God and the Jewish community. Finding personal spiritual practices should not neglect the importance of mitzvahs.
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    17 mins
  • Jewish People Just Love Sadness

    Jewish People Just Love Sadness
    Dec 3 2024
    Summary In this episode of Unsolicited Inspiration, Niv Fishbein explores the dynamics of social media influence, particularly in relation to Israel and the Jewish community's response to tragedy. He discusses the rise of influencers who gain attention through their posts about Israel, questioning the depth of engagement and the tendency to focus on sadness within the Jewish narrative. Fishbein delves into psychological concepts of pain and pleasure, emphasizing how these emotions shape behavior and motivation. He advocates for a shift towards seeking pleasure and positivity rather than merely reacting to pain and survival instincts, envisioning a future where the Jewish community thrives without the need for tragedy to inspire action. Takeaways Influencers gain authority by posting about Israel. The Jewish community often focuses on sadness to motivate action. Pain is more impactful than pleasure in human psychology. Survival instincts drive the Jewish response to tragedy. A shift towards positivity can lead to a more fulfilling community. Social media can amplify messages but may lack depth. The need for tragedy to inspire action is a recurring theme. Understanding pain and pleasure can help reshape community narratives. The Jewish narrative should include joy and resilience, not just suffering. Striving for pleasure can lead to a more proactive community. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unsolicited Inspiration 00:28 The Rise of Influencers and Attention Span 03:31 The Jewish Community's Relationship with Sadness 06:19 Understanding Pain and Pleasure in Human Experience 16:15 Survival Instincts and Jewish Resilience 19:11 Striving for Pleasure Over Pain
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    21 mins
  • What Are WE Waiting For? Find Your Purpose and Recharge

    What Are WE Waiting For? Find Your Purpose and Recharge
    Dec 2 2024

    Keywords

    podcast, Kinnas Hashluchim, Shluchim, Jewish community, purpose, recharge, inspiration, personal mission, Lubavitch, Judaism

    Summary

    In this inaugural podcast episode, Niv Fishbein shares his journey of starting the podcast, inspired by the Kinnas Hashluchim convention. He reflects on the dedication of the Shluchim, their need for recharging, and the importance of finding purpose in life. Niv emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals and the necessity of reflecting on personal missions to stay motivated and focused.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Journey

    06:10 The Role of Shluchim in the Community

    11:56 Reflecting on Personal Mission
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    15 mins