In this solo episode, Levi revisits his conversation with Rabbi Manis Friedman and argues that some of the deepest Hasidic ideas can become distorted when presented as shortcuts. Through a formative story from his teens—culminating in an extended personal conversation with Rabbi Yoel Kahn—Levi explores the full “ladder” of Hasidic consciousness: Daas Tachton (the world’s dependence on God) and Daas Elyon (the acosmic view that only the Divine truly is), and the paradox of living inside both at once. He then tackles the practical stakes: spirituality vs. godliness, inner work with the animal soul, prayer as contemplative avodah, and why mitzvot require love and awe to “fly.” The goal isn’t to attack a person—but to restore the missing context so God doesn’t get reduced to ritual.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.