Inward with Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld

651

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: The Ascendency of the Feminine

Oct 8, 2019

54:15

S5:E8 The power of concealment over and above disclosure. Difficulty over and above that which is easy. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan.

652

BONUS: The Book of Jonah - "Landlessness alone resides the highest truth."

Oct 3, 2019

52:27

In preparation for Yom Kippur, Rabbi Joey shares his thoughts on the book of Jonah in light of the Ishbitzer, Midrash, the Sod Yesharim, Rav Kook, Yeats, Melville and more.

653

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: Suffering for Torah/Torah of Suffering

Sep 24, 2019

56:35

S5:E7 ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan.

654

BONUS: Searching for the Trace: Memory and Teshuvah

Sep 17, 2019

1:03:47

A guest shiur n Cedarhurst, NY featuring the works of R' Tzadok, R' Kook, the Vilna Gaon, R' Hutner, the Arizal, the Zohar and Marcel Proust. 

655

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: Choosing Not to Choose

Sep 10, 2019

56:37

S5:E6 The freedom of the mind in response to the reality of the world. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan.

656

The World of Izhbitz-Radzyn: Lack - Moving Beyond Wholeness

Sep 3, 2019

58:33

S5:E6 Rabbi Joey attempts to find the lynchpin that ensures the existence of the gap between the finite and the infinite on this episode of Inward. For Izhbitz/Radzyn the key can be found in their conception of lack. As opposed to the typical vision of lack as a deficiency that results from some fall from grace and perfection, lack is seen as a fundamental element of human subjectivity. Lack existed prior to any human error, and as such should be seen as a constitutive element that forms rather than disrupts the human experience. There exists within each and every individual qua human being an essential lack around which their subjectivity is formed. For Izhbitz/Radzyn the goal is not to overcome this lack by filling it with some external substance, but rather to confront the lack, living in and through it to find one's ownmost spiritual form. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan.

657

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: Desire - The Dissatisfaction of the Soul

Aug 27, 2019

58:58

S5:E5 On a new episode of Inward, Rabbi Joey describes the psychological mood that emerges from the doubtful nature of being and the questioning that is born there. For Izhbitz/Radzyn the fact that questions will ultimately always remain unanswerable is symptomatic of the nature of the soul. No matter how far along the rungs of spiritual development the subject moves, there will always be a gap that persists between the finite creation and Infinite Creator. This space - which remains relative to each individual according to their own particular situatedness - assures that the ultimate spiritual gesture remains faith as opposed to knowledge. This leads to the Izhbitz/Radzyn alignment with the negative theological impulse inherent in Jewish mysticism and philosophy which sees the possibility of truly grasping the essence of the Infinite as an impossibility. Instead of leading to hopelessness and despair, the ultimate truth that there will always be a distance between the finite and the infinite leads to the space of apophatic faith that seeks to say what cannot be said in spite of its unsayability. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan.

658

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: Questioning - Moving Beyond the Answers

Aug 13, 2019

53:26

S5:E4 Join Rabbi Joey as he continues developing the theme of his previous episode as he describes the natural consequences of living in a world of doubt. For Izhbitz/Radzyn the doubtful nature of subjectivity leads to the unique role questions play in the development of faith. Using Avraham as a paradigm for the particular shape of Jewish faith, we show how the ultimate role of questioning to allow oneself to be put in question. The concealment of the ultimate ground of being opens unto a world where doubt outweighs clarity just as questions outweigh answers. For Izhbitz/Radzyn the question becomes an ontological question that will remain in spite of the answer. Each person has within themselves an ultimate question that cannot be answered. Instead of being seen as a deficiency, the ontological question forces the individual into the space of faith beyond question and answer. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan. 

659

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: The Tree of Doubt

Aug 6, 2019

55:14

S5:E3 In this episode of Inward, Rabbi Joey attempts to describe the origin of this world’s difficulties. What is it that makes being human so intense? In order to answer this question, we descend into the world of Izhbitz/ Radzyn’s conception of the primordial transgression, the episode of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil”. For Izhbitz/Radzyn, this tree undergoes a name change where it becomes “the tree of doubt”. The typical conception of epistemological doubt which sees doubt as an unfortunate symptom that exits so long as the world is unredeemed is aligned against the novel conception of ontological doubt which sees doubt as a fundamental building block in the constitution of human subjectivity. Doubt becomes the propelling force behind authentic human subjecthood. It is specifically within a world of doubt that choice becomes a possibility. We also discussed the relative nature of doubt. One begins with doubt that stems from a lack of knowledge. Once knowledge is acquired the original doubt is erased. The new experience of knowledge gives birth to a new, hitherto ungraspable level of doubt ensuring that doubt will always stand above and beyond the apex of knowledge. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan. 

660

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: Easier Not to be Born- Easier but not Better

Jul 30, 2019

53:39

S5:E2 Rabbi Joey continues his new series by examining the question of being human in the writings of Izhbitz/Radzyn. It is axiomatic that this world is difficult, and that to live in this world is to expose oneself to struggle. For Izhbitz/Radzyn, however, the difficulty and struggle of being human is specifically why this world is worthwhile. Interpreting the Rabbinic sentiment that “it would have been easier not to be born”, the world of Izhbitz/Radzyn uncovers what is missing in this statement, namely that it does not say it would have been better. Working off the assumption that it is still better to be human in spite of its difficulty; we discuss the deepening of experience that takes place- not in spite of difficulty- but precisely because of it. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan. 

661

The World of Izhbitz/Radzyn: An Introduction

Jul 23, 2019

55:19

S5:E1 In this first episode of a new season, Rabbi Joey introduces the Hasidic school of Izhbitz/Radzyn. Beginning with R. Mordechai Yosef Leiner (1801-1854), moving through his son R. Yaakov Leiner (1818-1878) and culminating with his grandson R. Gershon Henoch Leiner of Radzyn (1839-1890); we discuss the origins of this particular strain of Hasidic thought and the significant insight it offers to the (post)modern subject. After reviewing a sample of the critical analysis done on this school of thought and the emphasis that has been placed on particular aspects of this school, Rabbi Joey attempts to delimit our focus on the questions of subjectivity, the human condition and the existential intensity of being human. ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan. 

662

The Ten Sefirot: Malchut - Manifestation

Jul 19, 2019

51:50

S4:E12 The end  that is  the beginning.  ***** This podcast is supported in part from a grant from the Hadar Institute. Music is by Zusha. Help support them by purchasing their music. Audio is by David Kwan. 

663

The Ten Sefirot: Yesod - Connection

Jul 9, 2019

47:33

S4:E11 The quest  for essentiality.  The ability to find  meaning within  the meaningless. 

664

The Ten Sefirot: Netzach/Hod - The Power of Powerlessness

Jul 2, 2019

48:11

S4:E10 In the descent away  from the unity of the self  rests the ability to relate  to the outside through unity. 

665

The Ten Sefirot: Tiferet - The Beauty of Paradox

Jun 25, 2019

52:16

S4:E9 Compassion and  the revival of lost love. 

666

The Ten Sefirot: Gevurah - Intensification

Jun 19, 2019

51:38

S4:E8 Limit setting,  self overcoming  and the laughter of Yitzchak.  Please help us share Rabbi Joey's teaching by taking a moment to fill out our listener survey so we can better understand who is learning along with him, and how we can improve. 

667

The Ten Sefirot: Hesed - Expression

Jun 12, 2019

51:18

S4:E7 Saying yes to the world,  welcoming the other,  and choosing to see good.  Please help us share Rabbi Joey's teaching by taking a moment to fill out our listener survey so we can better understand who is learning along with him, and how we can improve.   

668

The Ten Sefirot: Daat - Attention

Jun 4, 2019

50:22

S4:E6 Without Daat you have nothing, with Daat you have everything.  For our purposes Daat will not be considered an active sefirah but rather an internalized force that animates all other Sefirot. This episode focuses on the role of Daat as the external disclosure of Keter’s interior; the mode of embodied thought associated with Daat; the dialectical sway between connection and separation as embodied in Daat and the different iterations of Daat in the twofold form of “Transcendent Daat” and “Immanent Daat”. While discussing Daat as a stand alone concept we must keep in mind that Daat is neither something nor nothing but rather the impossible combination of both something and nothing and it must therefore be read as a bracketed concept that separates and connects the three upper Sefirot and the lower seven.  Please help us share Rabbi Joey's teaching by taking a moment to fill out our listener survey so we can better understand who is learning along with him, and how we can improve.  

669

The Ten Sefirot: Binah - Fragmentation

May 28, 2019

55:37

S4:E5 The descent into the particular,  the parts that build the whole, and most importantly the sweetening of harshness in its root. Please help us share Rabbi Joey's teaching by taking a moment to fill out our listener survey so we can better understand who is learning along with him, and how we can improve.

670

The Ten Sefirot: Hochma - Wholeness

May 21, 2019

54:36

S4:E4  The infinite within the infinitesimal.  The whole within the part,  and most importantly the ability to be ok within the moment.

671

The Ten Sefirot: Keter - The Pleasure of Desire

May 14, 2019

56:03

S4:E3  Having and Not-Having at once.   Waiting for that which is beyond expectation.   Faith in the unfathomable. 

672

The Ten Sefirot: Containment of the Self

May 7, 2019

53:31

S4:E2 Rabbi Joey continues his new season on the sefirot with a second introduction, regarding ten emanative powers and their psychological expression. 

673

The Ten Sefirot: Expressions of Essence

Apr 30, 2019

55:21

S4:E1 In the first episode of this new season, Rabbi Joey gives a few introductions necessary for the entire season.  As we learn about ten sefirot try and understand these "powers", "strengths" or "potencies", we will approach them, not as an ontological reality, but as they relate to the human experience of Creation. 

674

BONUS: Pesach - Questioning Faith

Apr 19, 2019

54:14

In this special Pesach episode, Rabbi Joey shares a thoughts on the role of questions and answers, not only as the central aspects of leil ha-seder, but as the primary orientation for a living in a world where faith and doubt coexist.

675

Ep 9: The Possibility of Joy • The Inner World of Addiction

Apr 16, 2019

55:42

Rabbi Joey continues his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org

676

Ep 8: Irreducible Hope • The Inner World of Addiction

Apr 9, 2019

59:39

Rabbi Joey continues his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org

677

Ep 7: One Moment at a Time • The Inner World of Addiction

Mar 26, 2019

58:07

Rabbi Joey continues his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org Sources for going further inward: 1. Irvin Yalom, Existential Psychotherapy 2. Mishna Berakhot 1:1 3. Sod Yesharim 4. Netziv, Emek Ha'Davar 5. Ryan Kemp, Transcending Addiction: An Existential Pathway to Recovery 6. Keith Richards, Life 7. Rav Yitzhak Hutner, Pachad Yitzhak on Pesach 8. Bereishit Rabba 63:11 9. Maharal, Tiferes Yisrael, 25 10. David Lenson, On Drugs 11. Rebbe Nachman, Likutei Moharan, 272 12. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Full Catastrophe Living

678

Ep 6: The Pleasure of Self-Overcoming • The Inner World of Addiction

Mar 19, 2019

55:44

Rabbi Joey continues his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org Sources to go further inward: 1. Leshem Shevo Vachlama: Bechirah and Self-Manifestation

679

Ep 5: Satisfaction in Desire • The Inner World of Addiction

Mar 12, 2019

58:09

Rabbi Joey shares his insights into the joy and presence that abides within dissatisfaction itself. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org Sources for going further inward: 1. Sichos HaRan 2. Tiferes Ha-Hanokhi 3. Vayikra Rabba 4. Likutei Moharan 5. Gabor Maté 6. Benjamin Epstein 7. Rav Yitzhak Hutner 8. Emmanuel Levinas

680

Ep 4: The Fullness of Lack • The Inner World of Addiction

Mar 5, 2019

58:11

Rabbi Joey begins his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org

681

Ep 3: Brokenhearted • The Inner World of Addiction

Feb 26, 2019

55:39

Rabbi Joey begins his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org

682

Ep 2: Souls of Chaos • The Inner World of Redemption

Feb 12, 2019

56:37

Rabbi Joey begins his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org

683

Ep 1: An Introduction • The Inner World of Addiction

Feb 5, 2019

1:00:42

Rabbi Joey begins his new series on the phenomenon of addiction through the lens of the inner teachings of Torah. For more information, visit InwardTorah.org

684

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: The Unity of the Whole and the Part

Jan 30, 2019

55:55

S2:E10

685

Leshem Shevo V'Achlama: Norah Allilah and Yediah at the Heart of Bechirah

Jan 28, 2019

57:00

S2:E9

686

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Bechirah and Self-Manifestation

Jan 28, 2019

55:04

S2:E8

687

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Tikkun and the Perpetual Elevation of All Things

Jan 28, 2019

52:36

S2:E7

688

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Shevirat HaKeilim and the Shattering that Builds

Jan 28, 2019

52:37

S2:E6

689

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Potency and Pleasure of Gevurot

Jan 28, 2019

56:09

S2:E5

690

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Tzimtzum Real and Unreal

Jan 28, 2019

54:05

S2:E4

691

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Metaphoric Literality

Jan 28, 2019

58:14

S2:E3

692

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: Disclosure of Secrets

Jan 28, 2019

55:11

S2:E2

693

Leshem Shevo v'Achlama: An Introduction

Jan 28, 2019

49:44

S2:E1

694

Rav Kook's Reish Millin: Tav

Jan 28, 2019

50:08