What happens when you don't have a good argument for why Hashem should say yes? Rabbi Shafier reveals one of the most powerful ideas behind tefillah: we don't always have to come before Hashem because we're worthy or because we deserve what we're asking for. Sometimes we can simply ask for rachamim. From Sarah Imeinu's frightening encounter with midas hadin to the extraordinary power of the Yud Gimmel Middos, discover how tefillah can change the way we're judged, and why sometimes the most powerful words we can say are simply, “Hashem, please have mercy.”  This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

The Torah tells us to be happy on Yom Tov. But how can you be commanded to feel something? Rabbi Shafier reveals that the key to simchas Yom Tov isn't pretending to be happy, but learning to notice how much good we already have. From the food we eat to the colours we see and the everyday comforts we barely notice, discover how recognising the countless gifts Hashem has placed in our lives can change the way we experience Succos, and help us find a happiness that was there all along.  This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate