In our very first episode, we sit down for a conversation with Zevi Reinitz, tech executive and mechaber seforim. We discuss his journey as a writer, and what he thinks is the most important mindset for a Ben Torah in the workforce. You can check out Zevi on LinkedIn and join his "Great Qs on the parsha Whatsapp Group" Shtark Tank is a podcast for Bnei Torah in the workforce, providing insightful conversations with role models and mentors. Join our quiet WhatsApp group, where I will be posting new episodes, as well as bonus content related to each weeks conversation. Would love to have you along for the ride! Chapter 1: Intro and Background Chapter 2: Zevi's Writing 'Career' Chapter 3: Limiting Mindset Chapter 4: Today's Unique Moment

100th episode. World-class Torah educator. All your burning questions. To mark our 100th episode, Rav Aryeh Lebowitz joins Shtark Tank for a wide-ranging Q&A on what it really means to be a Ben Torah in the workforce. We talk about: “You’re never going to be Rav Schachter… and that’s okay” – setting healthy goals in learning Gadol biographies, ambition, and why you’re not supposed to be the Chafetz Chaim How to grow in learning when you’re working full time and raising a family Stress and guilt: when “I’m not learning enough” is healthy – and when it’s toxic Who should go into chinuch and rabbanus… and who should not Aliyah, parnassah, and the real math of teaching in Eretz Yisrael Minyan, mincha at work, and missing davening for family Phones, attention spans, and why Rav Aryeh deleted Twitter It’s a packed, honest conversation with one of the most listened-to Torah teachers in the world – and a fitting way to celebrate 100 episodes of Shtark Tank. If this episode helped you, the best “100th episode gift” you can give is simple: follow the show, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with one friend who’s trying to balance Torah, work, and family.

What does it take to go from learning Torah to owning your unique chelek in Torah—and maybe even publishing it? In this powerful return to Shtark Tank, Rav Tzvi Goldstein joins us for a deep and practical conversation about writing, editing, publishing, and most of all—developing a personal connection to Torah that lasts beyond Yeshiva. Why your unique Torah insight matters—and why you might not have permission to keep it to yourself How Rav Hirsch and Rav Soloveitchik’s hashkafos shaped Rav Tzvi’s own Torah worldview Writing as a spiritual discipline: not just for clarity, but for growth and legacy What to do before you publish (and how much it really costs) Behind the scenes of editing seforim for Rabbanim and laymen alike Why Substack might be the best starting point for sharing your Torah And yes—why your writing doesn't have to wait until you're 60 Best Quotes “If you really have a unique Torah idea… you don’t have permission to keep it to yourself.”“Writing isn't just expression—it's clarity, chazara, and connection.”“Publishing a sefer isn't just about ego or status. It’s about celebrating Torah—with yourself, your family, and your community.” Thinking of Publishing? Rav Tzvi breaks down the entire process:Content edit → Copy edit → Proofread → Typesetting → Final read-through → Print or publish online.Whether you go with a major publisher or self-publish, he offers tips, costs, and what to expect—without the smoke and mirrors. For More from Rav Tzvi Check out this substack post on the same topic Order Rav Tzvi's book Halachic Worldviews

This is the third and final week of our Summer Listening Series, where I share some of the podcasts I enjoy on my commute. Next week, we’ll be back with a brand new episode—stay tuned. This week’s pick is from Shu"t First, Ask Questions Later, hosted by Rabbi Moshe Kurtz. This podcast truly takes advantage of the medium—bringing together voices from across the Jewish world to learn Torah in conversation. The featured episode is especially relevant to Shtark Tank listeners, as Rabbi Kurtz is joined by Mr. Gedalia Wielgus, a lawyer and talmid chacham, for a thought-provoking discussion about a wild case of Yibum. Check out Shtarktank.org for exclusive written articles!

As we prepare for Shavuos, Rav Moshe Taragin joins Shtark Tank to discuss his powerful new book on Rav Yehuda Amital zt”l, a towering educator who fused unwavering Emunah with deep compassion and realism. The conversation moves from personal to national—from the rehab ward of an IDF hospital to the historical arc of Jewish destiny—and touches on some of the most urgent questions facing Bnei Torah today: What does real long-term chinuch look like? Is Jewish identity dependent on Torah observance? How do we avoid turning ambition into burnout?What does it mean to live a life of Kiddush Hashem—in Israel or abroad? To order the book: To order in IsraelTo order in America 🧠 Key Topics: Faith under fire: Writing a sefer while in the ICU with his son The duality of chinuch: Rav Amital and Rav Lichtenstein as complementary voices Jewish identity beyond mitzvah observance: What Rav Amital taught us about Am Yisrael Kiddush Hashem as national mission: How Rav Amital redefined religious Zionism Hungarian vs. Lithuanian Torah cultures: Ambition, hasmada, and mental health Living b’achdus: What we can learn from Oslo, Rabin’s assassination, and post-October 7th Israel Careers, calling, and giving: Rav Taragin on choosing work that contributes to Yeshua Shel Olam 💬 Quotes to Remember: “Kiddush Hashem isn’t just an individual act—it’s the arc of Jewish history unfolding.” “Stories don’t just teach; they preserve a lost world and reframe our present.” “Rav Amital reminded us: You’re a human being before you’re a masmid.” More Shtark Tank! Make sure to sign up for our newsletter at ⁠ShtarkTank.org⁠ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections 07:11 The Role of Community and Family in Crisis 13:13 Authenticity in Education and Long-Term Impact 20:35 Jewish Identity and the Concept of Bechirah 27:21 Kiddush Hashem: Personal and National Perspectives 39:17 Lessons from the Oslo Accord and Internal Struggles 45:52 Balancing Ambition and Mental Health in Jewish Education

Simon Baum is a seasoned lawyer, a Daf Yomi maggid shiur (twice daily!), and a thoughtful voice on what it means to live an integrated Torah life while fully immersed in the workforce. But his real story begins not with success, but with a breakdown. In this moving and practical conversation, Simon opens up about: Hitting rock bottom after closing a billion-dollar deal Reframing his relationship with Hashem from stress to serenity Giving a Daf Yomi shiur as a path to deeper learning and community The relationship between professional success and spiritual growth Simon shares his high-powered legal career, his weekly flights between London and Israel, and the moment of inner collapse that made him question everything—even at the peak of outward success. Real growth came not from switching jobs—but from changing his view of what it means to live with Hashem. Guilt-based Yiddishkeit gave way to an honest, intimate relationship with the Ribbono Shel Olam. Simon moved to a Tel Aviv law firm, enabling a less frantic schedule and new consistency in his learning. His twice-daily Daf Yomi shiur has grown into a tight-knit chevra with shared values and simchas. Work isn’t just a B’dieved. Simon explains how his law career actually deepened his Torah—offering insights, challenges, and identity shifts he couldn't have experienced elsewhere. Simon explores how to grow spiritually without falling into toxic introspection, and how healthier self-worth leads to healthier avodah, relationships, and responses to stress. Olam HaYedidus by Rav Shlomo Wolbe Bikshu M’sham and K’savim by Rav Soloveitchik Crossing the Unknown Sea by David Whyte Money Quote: “Real relationships have closeness and distance. You don’t do Avodas Hashem just to tick boxes—you do it because it’s real, and you want to live it.” Chapters 00:00 Intro and Early Life 04:17 The Turning Point: Realizing the Need for Change 10:02 Transforming Life: Practical Changes and New Perspectives 17:00 Integrating Faith and Daily Life: A New Approach 21:59 The Pilgrimage of Identity in Work 23:50 Crisis and Self-Discovery 27:19 Managing Stress and Relationships 31:17 Navigating Self-Reflection and Growth 35:39 Seeking Professional Help vs. Self-Help 41:50 Future Aspirations 44:00 Lightning Round

We recorded a regular Shtark Tank conversation with Tuvia Eisenman—about sales, chessed, and life in Israel. Then the war broke out. Tuvia was called back to reserve duty, and he joins us now from his IDF base with an emergency update. He walks us through the past few days, shares what it’s like on the ground in the Jordan Valley, and offers powerful reflections on what soldiers and their families are facing right now. After the update, we return to the original conversation, recorded just days earlier. Tuvia shares how a yeshivish kid from Passaic ended up serving in the IDF, building a sales career in Israel, and using those skills to raise millions for nonprofits around the world. We talk about the art of listening—how it drives both sales and parenting—and how he balances intense frontline experiences with raising a family and living a life of purpose. We also dive into the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Tuvia offers a frank take on why most campaigns fall flat, how organizations can do better, and why peer-to-peer giving—though messy and personal—is actually one of the frum community’s greatest strengths.

This week on Shtark Tank, we welcome Rabbi Shalom Rosner—Rav of Kehillat Nofei HaShemesh, Rosh Beit Midrash at Machon Lev, beloved Daf Yomi maggid shiur, and my uncle—for a deeply personal conversation about his father, Dr. Fred Rosner z”l. Check out the newly released Shalom Rav Birkon (bentcher) here. Born in Berlin in 1935 and rescued via Kindertransport, Dr. Rosner began life with no formal Jewish education. But he went on to become not only a world-renowned physician and medical ethicist, but a serious talmid chacham, translator, and teacher of Torah and halachic medicine. In this episode, we explore: The incredible story of Dr. Rosner’s late start in Torah learning—and how one summer of Mishnah changed everything His unwavering consistency and sense of mission, both in the hospital and the beit midrash The evolution of Jewish medical ethics, and how Dr. Rosner worked alongside gedolim like Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l Balancing public influence with personal humility The quiet legacy of a man who never wasted a moment, right up to the final day Along the way, we also discuss family, Shabbos zmiros, Rambam, professional responsibility, and what it really looks like to synthesize Torah and derech eretz—without compromising either. Check out ShtarkTank.org for more!

What happens when a full-time chiropractor with a busy practice, a big heart, and zero spare time decides to launch a global tzedakah revolution—one dollar at a time? This week on Shtark Tank, we sit down with Dr. Jonathan Donath, founder of Daily Giving, a platform that’s quietly transformed the world of tzedakah. What started as a flash of inspiration in a shul lobby has turned into a global force for chesed, distributing over $24 million to 100+ vetted nonprofits (including ADI Negev) and empowering over 21,000 daily givers around the world. But the road wasn’t smooth. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Dr. Donath shares: 🧠 His powerful “epiphany moment” that sparked Daily Giving 💵 The emotional struggle of transitioning from volunteer founder to salaried CEO 🧘 How self-compassion and meditation saved him from burnout 📉 The surprising downside of professional success—and why he gave up Tuesdays 📚 The books, seforim, and mentors that changed how he thinks about purpose🛠️ His evolving views on balance, ambition, fatherhood, and the cost of impact Resources Mentioned: 💸 Become a daily giver: DailyGiving.org📘 Books: It's All the Same to Me and The Three Conditions by Moshe Gersht📘 Radical Compassion by Tara Brach 🎥 Rabbi Alon Anava – “My Life After Death Experience”: Watch on YouTube📗 Living Emunah series by Rabbi David Ashear📙 Living Legend – Biography of Rav David Grossman For More Shtark Tank go to ShtarkTank.org

While we’re on our bein hazmanim break and gearing up for some exciting episodes in Elul, I wanted to share a podcast I’ve been enjoying on my commute. This week’s recommendation is a thought-provoking episode of the Iyun Podcast, hosted by Rabbi Ari Koretsky — in my opinion, one of the best podcast hosts out there. Each episode takes a deep, nuanced look at issues like the Charedi draft and other pressing topics. In this episode, Does the Torah Protect?, Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Lifshitz offers a fresh and engaging perspective. The conversation ties closely to themes we explore on Shtark Tank, especially the relationship between the Beis Midrash and the outside world. Give it a listen — I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Sign up for our newsletter at ShtarkTank.org