Power Up!

For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - grab one of the last few copies of my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq In this heartwarming and insightful episode, we dive into the art of building meaningful friendships. Why are friendships so vital to our well-being? How can we deepen our connections with others, and what does it take to maintain these bonds over time? Whether you're looking to strengthen existing relationships or forge new ones, this episode is packed with practical tips, inspiring stories, and expert advice to help you navigate the world of friendship. Listener Challenge: This week, do one thing to invest in friendships! Connect with Us: Follow us on Instagram: @itsgilaross Email us your friendship stories or questions: gilaross@gmail.com Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and spread the art of friendship far and wide!

For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - grab one of the last few copies of my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq What does it mean to live a good life? In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Sarah, one of the most influential figures in Jewish history, to uncover timeless lessons about defining and achieving a life of meaning, fulfillment, and purpose. Sarah’s life was far from simple—marked by challenges, resilience, and unwavering faith. We’ll delve into what we can learn from Sarah about cultivating joy, gratitude, and connection even in difficult times. **Subscribe and Share**: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast for more insights on personal growth and breaking free from limiting behaviors. Share with anyone who might find these tools helpful for their own journey!

For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - grab one of the last few copies of my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq What differentiates the patriarchs and matriarchs from other Biblical personalities? We delve into some of their personalities and the challenges they had throughout their lives and we see something profound that can teach us what to expect in our lives and how we can achieve balance. **Subscribe and Share**: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast for more insights on personal growth and breaking free from limiting behaviors. Share with anyone who might find these tools helpful for their own journey!

For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - grab one of the last few copies of my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq In this episode, we explore the complex and often hidden roots of self-sabotage. Why do we sometimes act in ways that go against our own best interests? Through insights from Torah, we unpack the underlying fears and limiting beliefs that contribute to self-sabotaging patterns. From procrastination to negative self-talk, self-sabotage can appear in many forms, subtly hindering our progress in both personal and professional realms. Self-sabotage can ultimately hold us back from our true potential. By identifying its roots, we can begin the journey toward self-acceptance, resilience, and freedom from these limiting patterns. **Subscribe and Share**: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast for more insights on personal growth and breaking free from limiting behaviors. Share with anyone who might find these tools helpful for their own journey!

Get one of the last few copies!! For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - check out my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq In this episode, we dive into the core elements that shape the Jewish spiritual experience. We explore the "DNA of Judaism" through three foundational concepts: the fear of God, the pursuit of self-mastery, and the Jewish perspective on our relationship with God. These principles not only frame Jewish spirituality but also serve as a guide for leading a meaningful and purpose-driven life. By unpacking each of these elements, we uncover how they connect deeply to our daily lives and to the greater purpose of Jewish faith. Key Themes and Takeaways: 1. Fear of God: Reverence and Awe - What It Means: Fear of God is often misunderstood as fear of punishment, but in Judaism, it’s about cultivating awe and respect for the Divine. This reverence shapes how we conduct ourselves, make decisions, and approach the ethical dimensions of life. 2. Self-Mastery: - What It Means: In Jewish thought, self-mastery isn’t about suppressing our desires but rather elevating them to serve a greater good. It’s about self-discipline, resilience, and aligning our behavior with our values. 3. Our Relationship with God: Connection and Partnership - What It Means: The Jewish relationship with God is built on a foundation of connection and partnership. Rather than seeing God as distant, we view the Divine as an active presence in our lives, guiding, supporting, and challenging us. --- Closing Thoughts: Together, the fear of God, self-mastery, and our relationship with the Divine form the "DNA of Judaism." These elements remind us that our lives are not random but meaningful, with opportunities for growth, connection, and service. By integrating these principles into our lives, we carry the torch of Jewish wisdom and share its light with the world. Subscribe and Share: If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to our podcast to continue exploring the deeper layers of Jewish life. Please share with others who may be seeking inspiration, as we continue to bring timeless teachings into everyday conversation.

For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - check out my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq We have a mitzvah to be happy on sukkot 1. How can we be told to be happy?? 2. Wouldn't having to sit in an uncomfortable sukkah detract from our happiness? Let's discover what happiness is and how to achieve it Subscribe and Share: If this episode inspired you to keep going, please subscribe and share it with others who may need help in their own journey of making change stick. Let’s continue to learn and grow together!

For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - check out my book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq In this episode, ahead of Yom Kippur we take a deep dive into what it really takes to make meaningful, lasting changes in our lives. We’ll explore how we deal with failure, the role of effort and resilience in creating change, and the problems with procrastination. More importantly, we’ll share strategies to help you push through setbacks and make your efforts stick for the long term. Some themes: - Understanding failure as an inevitable part of any change journey. - How to reframe failure not as a dead end, but as a learning experience that helps refine your approach. - The importance of a growth mindset: viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to quit. - Why procrastination is often a barrier to change, leading to delay and avoidance. - Recognizing the small wins along the way and celebrating progress, even if it’s not perfect. - How to foster self-compassion throughout the process and give yourself grace while striving for progress. -- Change is hard, but it’s also possible with the right mindset, effort, and tools. This episode is a reminder that failure doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of the road—it’s just a bump along the way. By pushing through procrastination, building resilience, and focusing on consistent effort, you can turn your goals into reality and make lasting change stick. Subscribe and Share: If this episode inspired you to keep going, please subscribe and share it with others who may need help in their own journey of making change stick. Let’s continue to learn and grow together!

The astonishing answer to why knowledge of what we should and shouldn't do is not enough to help us change. And what we need instead. -- For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - check out my almost sold out book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq -- Any questions or feedback, get in touch gilaross@gmail.com

In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful stories of personal transformation in the Bible: the journey of Rachav (Rahab). Once known as a harlot in the city of Jericho, Rachav made a bold decision that changed her life forever. Her story challenges us to think about the capacity for change, redemption, and how people can rise above their past to embrace a new identity and purpose. Lessons for Today - What we can learn from Rachav’s story about personal change and transformation in our own lives. - How to apply Rachav’s journey to our own lives, whether it’s through forgiveness, starting fresh, or encouraging others on their path to change. Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and share it with others who may find inspiration in Rachav’s incredible story of transformation! Let’s keep exploring how ancient wisdom can illuminate our paths today. -- For more insights into how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - check out my new book, Living Beautifully - https://amzn.to/4aCoYgq

Are you allowed to vent? What about whistle-blowing? This episode focuses on understanding the concept of lashon hara (negative speech) in Jewish ethics and exploring the seven conditions that make it permissible to speak negatively about someone—but only for a constructive reason (to’elet). The intention is to clarify when it is allowed to share information that would otherwise be considered lashon hara, ensuring the speech is used to prevent harm and promote positive outcomes. Definition: Lashon hara refers to speaking negatively about another person, even if the information is true. In Jewish ethics, this kind of speech is prohibited because of the potential harm it can cause to individuals and communities.Constructive Purpose: There are rare cases where it is permissible to share negative information, but only if it is done with the goal of preventing harm or achieving a positive outcome. - Send us your thoughts and questions at gilaross@gmail.com - Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! - Check out my book, Living Beautifully for more insights to bring joy, meaning and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - gilaross.com/book --- Thank you for tuning in! We hope this episode helps you navigate the fascinating impact of our words

What's so wrong with saying telling other people the truth about themselves? Should we worry about triggering other people? We look at the impact of our words on other people and the 5 categories of forbidden speech in Jewish law. - Send us your thoughts and questions at gilaross@gmail.com - Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! - Check out my book, Living Beautifully for more insights to bring joy, meaning and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - gilaross.com/book --- Thank you for tuning in! We hope this episode helps you navigate the fascinating impact of our words

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of free will and explore how understanding it can significantly enhance our ability to empathize with ourselves and those around us. Join us as we unravel the complexities of free will, its impact on human behavior, and how this knowledge can transform our interactions and self-perception. Key Topics Covered: 1. Defining Free Will: - What is free will, and why is it such a crucial concept to understand? - How much control do we really have over our actions? 3. Empathy and Free Will: - How understanding free will can lead to greater self-compassion. - The role of free will in understanding others’ actions and intentions. 5. Common Misconceptions: - Debunking myths about free will and responsibility. - Real-life examples and case studies illustrating the impact of understanding free will on empathy. - Send us your thoughts and questions at gilaross@gmail.com - Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! - Check out my book, Living Beautifully for more insights to bring joy, meaning and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - gilaross.com/book --- Thank you for tuning in! We hope this episode helps you navigate the fascinating interplay between free will and empathy, enriching your interactions and self-understanding.

Does it matter what you think of other people? Who cares what's going on in your head? In this episode we look at 3 important reasons why it makes a huge difference what we think about other people. -- For more insights on how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot, check out my book Living Beautifully - gilaross.com/book

If you're like me you probably hate being judged... and yet, who wants to be taken for a ride? In this episode we look at: - what does Judaism expect from us when it comes to judging other people? - How we make sure we aren't niave? -- For more insights on how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot, check out my book Living Beautifully - gilaross.com/book

What does Judaism say about Heaven and hell? What is heaven and hell? What are they there for?

Shavuot celebrates us becoming the nation who received the Torah. Why do we read the book of Ruth? Ruth teaches us how to achieve radical transformation in our lives.

Let's talk about reincarnation. Why reincarnation would happen and what it can tell us about our life in this world. - For more insights on how to bring meaning joy and love into your life check out my book Living Beautifully. Currently 25% off with code avot25 at gilaross.com/book

In the next part of our soul's journey we look at the life review!!! Gulp. But wait before you get scared listen to this episode. It will give you a fresh and empowering view of life!! -- For more insights on how to bring meaning joy and love into your life check out my book Living Beautifully. Currently 25% off with code avot25 at gilaross.com/book

Let's take a look at what happens after death, in the second episode of our soul's journey. Any questions reach out to gilaross@gmail.com Use AVOT25 to save 25% at gilaross.com/book

In this new series we're going to learn about our soul's journey! Why do we need a soul and why does the soul need to be in this world? -- Use code AVOT25 to save 25% on my new book Living Beautifully- how to bring meaning, joy and life into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot at gilaross.com/book