The Shmuz

In this week’s parsha, we come to the making of the kiyor, fashioned from the mirrors of the Jewish women. Moshe Rabbeinu was initially reluctant to accept this offering, wary that something that was used for female beautification would be inappropriate in the Mishkan. Hashem replies that these mirrors are actually the most beloved. Why did Moshe think Hashem wouldn’t want the mirrors? What does this week’s parsha teach us about the role of female beauty? Listen now to discover the role of attraction in marriage, some fundamental differences between men and women and how to achieve pure love with your spouse.
 

Most mitzvah items like a shofar or tzit tzit are kadosh while you use them, but then get demoted once their time is up. But tefillin, mezuzah, and a Sefer Torah are different for one reason:

Hashem’s Name is written inside.

And in Torah, a “name” is an essence. Which raises a wild question: if Hashem is infinite and beyond definition… how can there be “Names” at all?

This shiur shows why Hashem gave those Names, what they actually activate in the world, and why a simple “Baruch Atah Hashem…” said with awareness can change you more than you think. 

In today’s society, you are relentlessly bombarded with two fallacies: One, that money equals happiness and two, that your net worth should define your sense of self. The Torah rejects both of these ideas, and yet we see from this week’s parsha that attraction to money is something inherent in the briah. In this uncomfortably relevant Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier encourages you to take a long, hard look at how you judge yourself and others- are your attitudes towards money in line with Torah hashkafa? Or are you constantly pursuing the next best thing, hoping that it will give you the elusive satisfaction for which we all crave?

In the fourth session on Megillas Esther, Rabbi Shafier brings the conclusion of the Megillah dramatically to life. From Haman’s sudden demise to our own swift salvation, this class will explain the final perakim with additional insight and depth. Discover why Purim is considered to be greater than the kabbola at Har Sinai, how Haman’s unchecked arrogance inevitably led to his downfall and what forced Mordechai to leave the Sanhedrin. If you’re looking to reach a higher madreiga this Purim, having an understanding and appreciation of the words of the Megillah is essential. Tune in here and go beyond the externals this Purim with The Shmuz. 

Purim is not what you think it is.

Achashverosh wasn’t the squishy, dumb king you see in your kids megillah. He was a hardened, ruthless anti-Semite who was just as eager as Haman to destroy every Jew. And Esther’s decision to invite Haman to the party? It looked shockingly reckless. In reality, it was a calculated move designed to push Klal Yisrael into absolute desperation… because only then would we finally turn to Hashem with total sincerity.

And that’s not ancient history. It’s the real test of our lives too — how much do we rely on our effort, and how much do we actually trust Hashem? When rockets are intercepted, enemies implode, and everything looks like brilliant strategy… do we see “systems,” or do we see the hidden Hand?

This shiur connects Purim, current events, and our daily struggles into one uncomfortable question: Who do you really believe is running the world?

Who are you? Not your name. Not your body. Not even your brain. In this mind-opening class, Rabbi Shafier walks you through a Musar exercise that sounds simple but changes everything: identifying the real “you.” He explains why you are not a physical being having spiritual moments, but a spiritual being temporarily wearing a body. Along the way, he unpacks the tension you feel every day — the pull between your higher self and your animal instincts — and why sometimes you don’t even recognize your own behavior. Using powerful analogies and practical tools, he shows how to cut through the noise and access the deeper voice inside that already knows the right thing to do. If you’ve ever felt conflicted, confused, or disconnected from yourself, this class will give you clarity about who’s actually in charge — and who you truly are.

Esther stands at the threshold of the throne room, prepared to forfeit her life in this world and the next. Instead, she is assisted by three melachim, achieves ruach hakodesh and is the catalyst for Klal Yisroel’s eventual salvation. Aside from the obvious message that Hashem can always flip things around in an instant, there are many other life lessons to be learnt. Firstly, Esther’s people skills are exemplary. Want to ask for a raise? Just follow Esther’s three point plan on how to submit a request. Need chizuk in following daas Torah? Use Esther as an example. And if we want a clear warning on how not to behave, we need look no further than Haman. His relentless drive for kavod shows us how if a person doesn’t control his middos, he’s destined to be utterly miserable in this world. It’s all here. Genuine, Torah-true hashkafa and timeless messages laid open for you this Purim. 

Why does “just a little more” never feel like enough? Why do high achievers still feel restless and often collapse under their own success?

In this hugely powerful shiur, Rabbi Shafier uncovers the hidden drive inside every human being: a hunger for greatness that can either elevate your life or subtly drive you crazy. He reveals why recognition is one of the deepest human needs, why a single compliment can be transformative, and why the most dangerous voice you’ll ever hear might be your own.

If you’ve ever felt driven, dissatisfied, or ridiculously hard on yourself, this one will hit home.
 

Parshas Tetzaveh: Learning to Forgive

We hear plenty on the importance of doing teshuvah, on loving our fellow man and learning how to be mevater. All incredibly important concepts that are essential for a Torah Jew to work on and internalize. But how often do we hear about the importance of forgiving ourselves? We are capable of becoming greater than melachim, the absolute pinnacle of creation on which the entire world rests. And yet, we have faults, and so many failings! How can we possibly achieve our purpose in this world?

By recognizing that failing is a part of growth. Failing doesn’t mean we are failures. It means we are human beings. Hashem doesn’t demand perfection; He only wants us to grow, so that we can become the very best versions of ourselves. When we stop blaming ourselves for our nature, we can learn to forgive ourselves, forgive others, and walk through life with a healthy sense of self. In this week’s podcast, learn how to let go of your failings and gain the emotional freedom to achieve your tafkid.

In this must-listen class, Rabbi Shafier shows you how Dovid HaMelech used praise and tefillah to rebuild his relationship with Hashem, reshape his view of reality, and come back stronger after being publicly humiliated. Along the way, Rabbi Shafier tackles the questions people are scared to say out loud: if Hashem is so good, why does life feel so hard, and why do so many people carry a warped, frightening picture of Hashem?. If you’ve ever felt guilty, disconnected, or tired of blaming everyone else just to survive emotionally, this class will hit you right where you need it most.