Why is the "birthday of the trees" marked as a holiday on the Jewish calendar?

Agriculture is one of the Torah's central metaphors for our relationship with Hashem. The fruit tree holds particular significance, teaching us deep truths about the nature of Torah. Unlike grain, which sustains the body, fruit delights the palate. In the same way, Torah nourishes the soul with the deepest spiritual pleasure we can experience in connection with Hashem.

In this episode, we explore why mitzvos are like grain—necessary for survival—while Torah is like fruit, meant to be enjoyed. We trace why Torah scholars are compared to fruit trees and why Tu B'Shvat is the only Rosh Hashanah celebrated on the full moon.

Visit our website to download or order the source booklet to follow along!

https://www.batshevalearningcenter.com/booklets

At first glance, teshuvah seems straightforward: recognize mistakes, feel remorse, resolve to change. Yet when we examine the Rambam's Hilchos Teshuvah closely, fundamental questions emerge.

The Rambam only lists viduy as a formal obligation. What about the internal, emotional process of teshuvah? Is that a mitzvah?

Some argue that teshuvah is not a mitzvah at all, just the procedure we follow when we fail in our other obligations. On a deeper level, teshuvah cannot be a mitzvah because it expresses the essence of the soul that transcends all mitzvos.

This concept gives us profound insight into the true nature of teshuvah and explains why the Rambam chose to explore free choice specifically in the context of Hilchos Teshuvah. An authentic return to Hashem from the depths of our souls cannot be mandated, because it is intrinsic to who we are—an ultimate expression of our free choice.

Download the companion learning booklet to follow along with all sources.

https://www.batshevalearningcenter.com/product-page/can-teshuva-be-commanded

In this powerful finale to our "Finding Myself in Torah" series, we sit down with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt — journalist, Rebbetzin, and one of the most honest voices in contemporary Jewish discourse.

Avital takes us on her journey from feeling overwhelmed by serious Torah learning to becoming a woman who uses her platform to advocate for deeper spiritual engagement for Orthodox women. As both a community leader and community critic, she offers a unique perspective on the gaps between women's intellectual capacity and the limited spiritual offerings they often receive. We explore how she evolved from someone who advocated women’s engagement and influence in the frum community, to a community leader herself who lives the model of female Torah leadership she wrote about for so long. We dive into her insights on materialism in Orthodox communities and how lifestyle influence has overshadowed women's engagement with Torah.

This candid and refreshing conversation is an invitation to reimagine our relationship with Torah and the role Rebbetzins play in shaping their communities through Torah learning.

Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt is a journalist, Rebbetzin at Altneu Synagogue, and former features editor at the Forward. Her writing on Orthodox life has appeared in the New York Times, Tablet, and other publications. She lives in New York with her husband, Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt, and their children.

This concludes our "Finding Myself in Torah" series. Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery, learning, and growth.

https://traditiononline.org/materialism-and-the-rise-of-modern-orthodoxy/

https://forward.com/life/437687/haredi-women-talmud/

https://www.instagram.com/avitalrachel/?hl=en

https://x.com/avitalrachel?lang=en

What happens when personal growth tools from the world of psychology aren’t enough? And how do we hold space for all the parts of ourselves, mother, professional, learner, friend, without feeling torn apart?

In this episode, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Eda Schottenstein, a psychotherapist, ADHD coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Multi-Role Woman, to explore the powerful intersection between Torah, psychology, and real-life growth. Together, they delve into the limitations of therapeutic tools and where Torah steps in to provide the kind of direction, clarity, and inner alignment that can’t be found elsewhere.

Eda shares how her own journey into Torah learning began with a deep dive into self-awareness through psychology, and how understanding herself became the gateway to understanding Hashem and Torah on a deeper level. She talks about connecting to Torah not just intellectually, but personally, making it a source of meaning that speaks directly to the complexities of a modern, multifaceted life. Drawing from her clinical experience and spiritual growth, she reflects on how embracing fragmentation, rather than resisting it, can be a path to strength and authenticity.

This conversation is an invitation to think deeper about what truly heals us, what grounds us, and how women today can own all their roles without compromising their spiritual center. It’s a reminder that Torah isn’t just a set of ideas—it’s a framework that can hold all the pieces of who we are.

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Eda Schottenstein is a psychotherapist, certified ADHD coach, and the founder and CEO of The Swess, a lifestyle clothing brand designed for clarity, movement, and confidence. She’s also the co-host of the top-rated podcast From the Inside Out, where deep, honest conversations drive personal transformation.

Through her platform Multi-Role Woman, Eda explores the intersection of lifestyle and mental health—bringing raw insight, intention, and empowerment to women navigating many roles. She’s also a proud wife and mother of four, living the very balance she helps others pursue.

Multirole Woman

Instagram

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Resources:

soulwords.org - Rabbi Shais Taub's complete Shaar Bitachon series

What happens when our inner world matures, but our relationship with Yiddishkeit remains stuck in childhood?

In this episode, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Raizy Fried, popular author, speaker, and founder of “Inspired Living”.

Raizy explores the gap many women feel between the lives they’re living as complex, emotionally developed adults and the simplistic version of Torah they may have learned growing up.

Raizy shares her journey of re-engaging with Torah in a deeper, more personal way and discusses the power of adult women continuing to learn, ask questions, and grow. She speaks about the importance of infusing meaning into daily mitzvos, not just for those new to observance, but for women who have been frum their whole lives and still crave connection.

From the pressure to fit into certain “types,” to the way intelligence and depth are (or aren’t) valued in frum women, to the pull of materialism and how Torah can guide us to engage with our mundane lives with intention and purpose. This conversation gets honest about the tensions many of us feel but rarely say out loud.

With humor, warmth, and candor, Raizy invites us to stop settling for superficiality, to reclaim our curiosity, and to allow Torah to speak to us as whole, thinking, growing women.

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Raizy Fried is a world-renowned author and dynamic speaker known for her heartfelt, woman-to-woman communication. With her warm and engaging style, Raizy captivates audiences. She speaks on a wide range of topics, including honoring the Shabbos, emotional health, and spiritual growth. Her wit, wisdom, and practical advice always leave her audiences and readers clamoring for more.

Raizy is dedicated to teaching, innovating, and inspiring women with ideas that make everyday life more beautiful and more meaningful.

Her platform, INSPIRED LIVING, is where you can explore a variety of topics that focus on elevating and enriching the changing lives of today's Jewish women.

https://www.raizyfried.com/

What does it take for a woman to make Torah her own?

In this insightful and inspiring conversation, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with educator and writer Stacey Goldman to explore what it means for women to develop their own voice in Torah learning. Stacey shares her personal learning journey, including the pivotal moments that drew her to Orthodox Judaism and deep Torah study, and how that journey helped her find not just knowledge, but a sense of belonging.

Together, they delve into the transformative power of high-level learning, the unique perspectives women bring to Torah, and the value of making space for women as both learners and leaders in the Torah world. This episode is a meaningful invitation to see women’s Torah study as an essential voice in its ongoing conversation.

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Mrs. Stacey Nechama Goldman teaches Tanach at Kohelet Yeshiva High School in Philadelphia. She also teaches adult education classes throughout the greater Philadelphia area including Aish Chaim, Lower Merion Synagogue, and Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania. Stacey Nechama has published reflective essays and articles on chabad.org and audio classes on YUTorah.org.

What if Torah learning isn’t just about understanding, but about creating?

In this powerful conversation, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Tonia Chazanow to explore the creative process of learning Torah in a way that is rooted, rigorous, and deeply personal. Tonia shares how she approaches texts like Tanya with honesty and imagination, staying true to the source while allowing her own voice, metaphors, and visual language to shape how she teaches and understands Torah.

They discuss the inner work of developing your own perspective, the courage it takes to innovate in the world of Torah, and how even struggle and discomfort can be invitations to deeper connection. Tonia reflects on how she learns through questions, tension, and artistic thinking, offering a model of Torah study that is vibrant, integrated, and uniquely her own.

This episode is an inspiring exploration of what it means to trust yourself in Torah learning, to bring your whole self to the text, and to see Torah not just as a tradition to uphold, but as a creative relationship to grow in.

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Tonia Chazanow is a writer, host of the Human & Holy podcast and Torah teacher. She is passionate about Torah study, gathering Jewish women, and the power of the arts as a way of better understanding ourselves and G-d.

Website: humanandholy.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mo2kXBh03DA218ZmfBqRb?si=uDmGyySHQROnVTOnwwlnCw

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-holy/id1543330611

Instagram: @humanandholy

Email: [email protected]

Show Notes:

The introduction of Igros Moshe:

https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/INTRI-IGROT-MOSHE-1.pdf

Article by R. Solovetchik: 

https://www.bjpa.org/content/upload/bjpa/rupt/RuptureAndReconstruction.pdf

What’s the story behind the schools that shaped generations of frum girls—and what does that story mean for us today?

In this illuminating episode, we sit down with scholar and educator Leah-Perl Shollar to explore the history and evolution of Orthodox girls’ education. Drawing from her extensive doctoral research, Leah-Perl takes us on a journey through the origins of formal Jewish schooling for girls in Eastern Europe, long before Sara Schenirer stepped onto the scene.

We discuss what led Leah-Perl to this topic, how her own educational experiences shaped her questions, and why this history matters now more than ever. Together, we unpack the unique mission and legacy of Sara Schenirer's Bais Yaakov movement, why it succeeded where earlier efforts fell short, and how differing visions of its goals have shaped the way Bais Yaakov is remembered—and lived—today.

We also dive into the lesser-known story of Achos HaTemimim in Latvia, a bold and original approach to women’s Torah learning that offers powerful insights for today’s educators and learners alike.

From questions of secular education to the development of Torah curricula, Leah-Perl shares reflections on where we’ve succeeded, where we’ve adapted, and where there’s still room to grow. Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a deeper understanding of how we got here—and what kind of future we might envision for the next generation of frum women.

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Leah-Perl Shollar is a doctoral candidate at the Azrieli Graduate School of Education (Yeshiva University) and has an M.S. Education; she attended seminaries in Israel and Brooklyn. Shollar has over 30 years of experience as an educator with students from preschool to adults; currently, she teaches Chumash and Jewish history in Yeshiva Girls' High School. Prior to joining Yeshiva’s administration, Shollar worked at the Jewish Learning Institute as an instructional designer and curriculum specialist in partnership with Touro College, and published award-winning books for children, as well as works for adults. In her capacity as principal, Shollar oversees all aspects of the student learning experience, paying particular attention to the scholastic and hashkafic requirements of their curriculum, as well as the individual needs of each student.

What does it mean for a woman to truly make Torah her own—and how can that connection evolve across generations?

In this thoughtful and nuanced conversation, Alex Fleksher reflects on her journey with Torah learning: from her own education growing up, to the experiences her daughter is having today, and the shifts she’s witnessed—and hopes to see—within her community.

We discuss how women’s access to Torah learning has expanded, and how that expansion can continue in ways that honor each community’s unique hashkafa. We explore the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for women to engage deeply with Torah, even in places where the desire or demand may not yet be visible. Sometimes, change begins not by waiting for a need to be voiced, but by planting seeds that open new doors.

Alex also shares her reflections on the transition many women experience after seminary, the value of women's Torah leadership, and how subtle changes in language, visibility, and access can make a profound impact on how women see themselves within the world of Torah.

This episode is an invitation to think about what continuity and growth in Torah learning can look like—not only for ourselves, but for our daughters and the future of our communities.

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Alexandra Fleksher is an educator, speaker, op-ed columnist for Mishpacha Magazine, and co-host of the Deep Meaningful Conversations podcast. She holds a Masters degree in secondary Jewish education from Azrieli Graduate School and an undergraduate degree in English/Communications from Stern College for Women. She has 15 years experience teaching middle and high school English and Judaic Studies, in schools spanning the Orthodox spectrum. She has also spoken for shuls, schools and organizations around the country. Alexandra is an active member of her local Cleveland community and has a passion for community activism. She’s a former chair of the Shabbos Project Cleveland, a founding board member of Chaviva High School for Girls and a co-founder of The Chizuk Retreat Cleveland. She was behind the #myorthodoxlife social media movement and is currently the creative director of the Faces of Orthodoxy social media account.

Links:

Creative Director -- Faces of Orthodoxy

Podcast co-host -- Deep Meaningful Conversations

Columnist -- Mishpacha Magazine

Learning Suggestions:

https://outorah.org/series/4046/

What happens when the Torah we learn doesn’t sit well with us — when it challenges our instincts, values, or sense of self?

In this honest and moving episode, we speak with a woman whose relationship with Torah is marked by both fierce passion and radical openness. We explore how she’s cultivated the ability to engage with complex, sometimes uncomfortable Torah concepts without cynicism or fear — and how she believes that real growth happens not in avoiding those teachings, but in leaning into them with curiosity and humility.

We discuss what it means to truly own your Torah learning — not just as support for others, but as a vital part of your personal identity. We also explore the fears some people have around giving women access to halachic texts: Will it distance them from halacha? Create confusion? Or might it do the opposite — draw them closer?

This episode is a fascinating exploration of how to stay open-hearted and open-minded in your learning, and how women can claim a seat at the table not just as spectators, but as active participants in the world of Torah.