Shows
Daf Yomi by R’ Eli Stefansky at MDYDaf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 98 by R’ Eli Stefansky00:00 - Good Morning00:15 - Eruv Eruv Yom Tov02:55 - Emails09:50 - MDYsponsor.com12:00 - Introduction12:57 - Amud Beis17:17 - Amud Aleph42:42 - Amud Beis59:25 - Have a Wonderful DayQuiz - http://Kahoot.MDYdaf.com--Today's shiur is sponsoredAnonymous - For the safe and speedy return of all the hostages&לע״נ זכריה בן משהלע״נ חיה בת יוסף&Eli Stefansky: For the refuah shleima and safe speedy return of our Chayalim&Matching Rav Eli's donation l'zchut hachayalim for the month&Binyomin Rosenfeld: For all the zchusim that come from...2024-10-0159 minDaf Yomi by R’ Eli Stefansky at MDYDaf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 18 by R’ Eli Stefansky00:00 - Singing01:41 - Good Voch01:50 - Guests02:47 - Emails08:46 - Introduction10:19 - MDYsponsor.com12:21 - Amud Beis17:14 - Amud Aleph42:35 - Amud Beis48:56 - Amud Aleph49:02 - Have a Wonderful WeekQuiz - http://Kahoot.MDYdaf.com--Today's shiur is sponsoredAnonymous - For the safe and speedy return of all the hostages&לע״נ זכריה בן משהלע״נ חיה בת יוסף&Refuat hanefesh and guf for Breina Bina bat Miriam Baila, Netanel Kalev ben Ora Bracha, Ora Bracha bat Breina Bina&Moe Landy: Liluy nishmas R' Moshe ben Shmuel Yehuda...2024-07-1349 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipFacing the Truth with Authenticity and Courage—#6Humility = Strength. Ego is the enemy, and getting ourselves out of our own way is the David/Yehuda way to incredible success/Kingship. When we uphold the image of our successful self, we can take the high road of Yosef, but sometimes the best and most powerful path forward is to admit that we are in fact powerless (this expression of powerlessness is the essence of prayer, and king David says of himself “I am prayer”). With no skin in the game we are able to humbly submit before Hashem and allow Him to lead us to great success that only...2023-06-0617 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Overview Perspective: The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish Leadership #5Yosef is being led by the hand to his destiny. His descent to Egypt is the catalyst for the Jewish nation being exiled there, surviving spiritually, and ultimately emerging as a nation, and it all begins with Yosef’s descent. This story is so much bigger than him! And Yosef knows this, else, he wouldn’t survive the loneliness and suffering. He knows there’s a big picture. And yet, he also focuses 100% on his small picture – the one in front of him today. Being the most useful servant of the depraved Potifar. Why? Because he knows that this small picture...2022-05-1916 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipYOU Write the Script of Your Life: The Lion and the Ox--Two Modes of Jewish Leadership # 4YOU Write the Script of Your Life.
We discuss how staying above your circumstances, by being rooted above your circumstances. That way you can *choose* to define your reality, and not let reality dictate to you what your life is.
We return to the life of biblical Joseph. The great commentator, Malbim, writes that Yosef acted based on the needs of the situation, not his own personal preferences. He treated those who were socially needier than he was with compassion, while he treated his equals with strength. This is something that was misunderstood by his brothers.
From Joseph we learn...2022-05-0417 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipI may Be Dreaming, But I'm NOT Sleeping--The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish Leadership #3In episode #2 we discussed how to balance ambition and acceptance.
Accept the reality of today, including the things you don’t love, and by accepting them, you keep them from overwhelming your entire worldview, which in turn allows you to move forward. Acceptant mindfulness has two components: One, the embrace of what there is to love in life, and two, the acceptance of the difficult and painful.
We learned how Joseph was a master of this craft, and how he helped keep things straight for his mother, at the same time, he expanded his fathers mission. We have learned of Jo...2022-03-3013 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipMindful Ambition: The Lion and the Ox #2Who was Joseph? Paradigm of discipline and focus? Starry eyed dreamer? Brilliant visionary?
Joseph’s personality develops from day one, and can be derived from his very name. “And she (Rachel) called his name Joseph (yosef, to add) for G-d has gathered (asaf) my shame.” Joseph, it turns out, relates both to adding and to gathering. He defines, gathers, directs, ensures that nothing gets lost, and then with every ounce of good conserved and every bit of bad contained, Joseph is ready to add.
Joseph’s name contains two fundamental truths: One, for goodness to thrive, evil must be kept at bay. Su...2022-03-2515 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipResilience and Personal Excellence: Two Paths to Greatness. #1The gift of life is the gift of opportunity. The choice is ours. Should we aim for greatness, or satisfy ourselves with mediocrity?
Choosing to pursue greatness is only the beginning. From the start, distractions and frustration litter the road before us. How we deal with these impediments will define the type of life we build. How we respond to this question isn’t a personal matter, because the person we become for ourselves is the person we become for others. Successful leadership is simply successful living, perhaps with bigger and broader stakes. The aim of this (podcast) is to sho...2022-03-1516 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipA Tale of Two KingsA Tale of Two Kings2022-03-1501 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipDeath and The True Meaning of Life. Ecclesiastes/Kohelet #29-finalDeath and The True Meaning of Life.
After 12 chapters of describing the futility of life, Kohelet closes with a discussion of death.
But once again, the lesson is about the greatness of purposeful living. Life is eternal. It is the empty pursuit of pleasure and power that is empty.2022-03-1524 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipImpactful Giving: Ecclesiastes/Kohelet ch 11. #28Impactful Living By Giving2022-01-1425 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Reactive Cynic—Ecclesiastes/Kohelet #27The Reactive Cynic.Solomon's begs us to consider the following two extremes: The successful person who knows they have something unique to contribute and they go ahead and work it, until at last, success --Proactivity at its best. The other fellow says, why work if I can just talk. But eventually, feeling the emptiness of a life of idle chatter, the lazy fool, now broke, can do no better than blame everyone around him for his woes.2021-12-2814 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Evil House Fly: Ecclesiastes/Kohelet #26The Evil House Fly:2021-07-2320 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Winning Strength of Quiet Wisdom Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 25Why does the promised youth fail to live up to their potential?
It's not for lack of talent, but for lack of understanding.
Talents, like everything else, need to be managed, otherwise they can be as more liability than asset.
---Ecclesiastes/Kohelet 9:11-18
I have further observed under the sun that The race is not won by the swift, Nor the battle by the valiant; Nor is bread won by the wise, Nor wealth by the intelligent, Nor favor by the learned. For the time of mischance comes to all.
And a man cannot even know his time. As fishes...2021-07-0721 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipAlive Or Dead — Your Choice: Kohelet Ecclesiastes # 24Death happens once on the macro level, but many times on the
micro level.
Disappointment, failure, setbacks are all forms of micro death.
Many have lost all ambition because they've been burned once too many.
Life is eternal; life is ever fresh and novel, it just awaits actualization.
It's time to reengage with life, and live each moment as a completely unique opportunity for creative expression.2021-06-1714 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipAccess The Greatest Power -- Life Beyond Why: Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 23The rules of success are universal.
The marshmallow test, which displays one's ability to delay gratification, may predict a future doctor who can endure med school, who saves lives for a living, or the drug lord, who patiently ascends to power, and who may kill to earn his bread.
There seem to be many paths to success. The key is simply to choose one.
In the face of the prosperous wicked, why oh why should we choose the path of good?
Further, how can we have confidence that what we see as good is indeed good?
Enter King David. In...2021-06-0321 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Happiness Perspective and the Shadow of Evil: Ecclesiastes/Koheles #22Happiness is a choice2021-05-2010 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipUnleash the Power Within with ONE Good Habit: Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 21There’s incredible power within.
The million dollar question is how to unleash it?
Solomon’s answer: Good habits, even one obsessively good habit.
Good deeds center us, allowing the whisper of our inner voice to be heard.
Develop an OCD like relationship with ONE good habit, it’ll change the entire trajectory of life for the better.2021-05-0618 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipEmbracing the Unknown: Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 20John Keats spoke of ‘Negative Capability’ — as explained by Robert Greene in Mastery.
Our ego loves to explain and define. This leads to complacency, to a complete lack of sustained growth.
Humility is the key. We can humbly recognize our complete insignificance before the Infinite. We know nothing.
Now, we can rethink, redefine, everything. The sky is the limit. We no longer feel the need to hold onto our rigid thought patterns.
Photo by https://unsplash.com/@cristofer?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText (Cristofer Jeschke) on https://unsplash.com/s/photos/searching?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium...2021-04-2118 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipWhy Wisdom Doesn't Happen On the Couch -- Ecclesiastes/Kohelet #19Life's the greatest teacher.
Trial and error; seeing the good and the bad; comparing and contrasting; matching the the puzzle piece with it's true place; all create and build wisdom.
Just start; you'll make mistakes, but you'll learn, and that's the whole point.
Focus consistent effort in the right place, and you'll see success.
Potential is a puzzle piece too, and it needs the right soil to bear fruit.
Ecclesiastes/Kohelet 7:21-29
21) Finally, don’t pay attention to everything that is said, so that you may not hear your slave reviling you;
22) For well you remember the many times that yo...2021-03-1820 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipBalancing Act -- Kohelet/Ecclesiastes # 18What's the key to living a balanced life?
It's staying above your circumstances.
That way, the choice remains yours. You decide when to be soft, when to be strong, when to let go, and when to hold on fast.
You are above definition, because human greatness cannot be pinned down to any one definition.
Don't make the mistake of defining yourself, or others, by actions. While actions are an expression of where you may be today, they don't truly reflect what you can be tomorrow.
Ecclesiastes 7:15-20
15) In my own brief span of life, I have seen both these things...2021-03-1120 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Humility of the Wise — Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 17Since we all have our own perception of things, how can we truly empathize with others?
The wisdom of humility teaches us that reality is much deeper and goes much further than we can ever truly grasp.
The other person's perspective, though very different than yours, is just as valid.
Take a look around the room and realize that each person has their own inner world. That world is reality to them. Appreciate it, respect it, embrace it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10-14.
10) Don’t say, “How has it happened that former times were better than these?” For it is not wise of you to...2021-03-0418 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipInfinite Mindset— Kohelet/Ecclesiastes # 16Seeing the big picture will change your life for the better.
It will:
1) Improve your relationships as you realize the eternity of human interactions.
2) Allow you to see the inevitable frustrations of life as opportunities for humility and greatness.
3) Focus more on recreation and less on mindless entertainment, and so much more!
Photo by https://www.pexels.com/@simonmigaj?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels (Simon Migaj) from https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-red-jacket-standing-outside-of-cave-in-front-of-three-mountains-949193/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels (Pexels)2021-02-1722 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipLet Go And Find The Real You — Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 15If you find yourself focusing too much on structuring your life, you might just miss the real you.
You are really thoughtful and compassionate.
The real you has a deep desire to contribute and serve.
Too much noise and superficiality will hide the true you from sight.
Over focusing on structure will lead you to think that you're in control.
Let go and let God; and He will guide you in becoming the very best you.2021-02-1123 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipAmbition: Virtue Or Vice? Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 14Ambition and drive can lead to greatness or ruin; what’s the key to proper ambition?
Man is all about potential; not for some ‘out there’ achievements, but to express one’s true inner greatness.
Learn to differentiate between pure ambition and its false counterpart, and you will change the world for the better.2021-02-0512 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Artist That Was Never Late — Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 13Ecclesiastes/Koheles 5:7-19.
If you see in a province oppression of the poor and suppression of right and justice, don’t wonder at the fact; for one high official is protected by a higher one, and both of them by still higher ones.
Thus the greatest advantage in all the land is his: he controls a field that is cultivated.
A lover of money never has his fill of money, nor a lover of wealth his fill of income. That too is futile.
As his substance increases, so do those who consume it; what, then, does the success of its own...2021-01-2827 minThe Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipChoose Life — Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 12Thought, speech, action. That is the magic formula of human effectiveness.
Speech is the most powerful human faculty, and Solomon's enjoins us to use it well.
Keep your mouth from being rash, and let not your throat be quick to bring forth speech before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth; that is why your words should be few.
Just as dreams come with much brooding, so does foolish utterance come with much speech.
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. For He has no pleasure in fools; what you...2021-01-2117 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipEntitlement — The Root of Evil: Ecclesiastes/Kohelet # 11What is so terrible about old age? Why does Solomon use age to differentiate between the good and evil inclinations? Youth relates to development, where a person looks to bring forth their potential, to give to the world around them. Old age analogizes the person who sees themselves as fully developed, who now looks to the world to serve them.You are as old or as young as you make yourself to be.2021-01-1523 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Secret and Narrow Road to Effective Living. Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 10.There are three ways to live life. 1) Open to exploring anything and everything. 2) Closed and rigid. 3) The middle road, expanding frontiers, but connecting it all back to one's core identity. Solomon leads us from tragedy to jealousy, in an effort to teach us the secret of the middle road. A short life lived with integrity is more valuable than a long life filled with anger and envy. Choose quality over quantity, but remember that the road to true quality is via quantity -- consistently sticking with good habits until you can do them with purity and the best intentions.2021-01-0719 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Great Debate: Is Life Worth Living? Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 9Is Life worth living? Are there unique moments that make life more meaningful? What about the rest of life? Shammai and Hillel debated for three years and concluded that "it would be better for man had he not been created." (Eruvin 13b) Ben Ish Chai explains: Hillel focused on the view from our world, where a majority of life is spent on mundane and often frustrating pursuits. Shammai sees it in the world-to-come perspective, there everything will be shown to have been worthwhile. Today we rule like Hillel, but in the world-to-come we will follow Shammai.2020-12-3118 min
8MinDaf by R’ Eli Stefansky8 Min Daf - Pesachim Daf 038 by R' Eli StefanskyToday's shiur is sponsored
לעילוי נשמת הרב אליעזר בן ר' חיים יהודה זצ"ל Rosner
&
לעילוי נשמת שמואל דוב בן אלכסנדר ז"ל Shwarz
&
by Shaya & Shmuel Halpern: In honor of a very special brother & uncle - Shulem Pinches Halpern from Williamsburg (originally from Manchester, England). Mazal Tov on the occasion of Freidy's wedding2020-12-2907 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipYour Personal Path to Greatness. Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 8Each and every person is an entire world. Find your voice, find your soul. Every soul is uniquely suited for a particular mission. To shine it's light in a very specific corner of reality. Find your light, the world is waiting.2020-12-2519 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Secret of Entrepreneurial Success. Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 7.Why does opportunity chase some and flee others? Do entrepreneurial legends roam the streets looking for opportunity? The secret ingredient is time. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It is up to you. Chapter three of Ecclesiastes provides new insight into timing, and how to use it for your benefit.2020-12-1819 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe Mule's Foal: a tale of The Caesar, the Rabbi and the Philosopher. Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 6Human beings have a transcendent soul. The Greek's believed that the soul/intellect was a 'child' of the human being. Learn the Torah view on this fascinating subject, from the great Rabbi Yehoshua of the Talmud. Tractate Bechoros 8a-b, relates the incredible story of Rabbi Yehoshua and the sages of Athens. 16th century Maharal of Prague gives us insight into the deeper meaning of this cryptic passage. Photo credit: elements-five-digital. Anna Kaminova.2020-12-1023 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipLiving Your Own Life, and the Great Challenge of Wealth. Ecclesiastes/Koheles # 5.King Solomon worries about his successor. Would he build on the foundation he'd inherited, or would he destroy it? The anxiety of the mega wealthy and mega successful: what will be with their life's work after they're gone? The lessons Solomon teaches go beyond the challenge of wealth. They teach all, the wealthy and the poor, how to live a focused and successful life. How to ensure that YOU are living YOUR own life.2020-12-0317 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipAshmedai, King of demons, deposes King Solomon. Ecclesiastes/Koheles #4Life is the greatest teacher. King Solomon, who lived life to the fullest, shows us how to live and how to learn. His encounter with Ashmedai, recorded in the Talmud (gittin 68a), is a fascinating lesson in the value of knowing your limits.2020-11-2738 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipCreativity as the purpose of existence and the meaning of suffering. Ecclesiastes Kohelet #3.Why is there suffering in this world?! Solomon's answer: the Divine nature of creativity. We can either mirror the creative energy of our Source, or stubbornly crown our ego as king. The former path brings blessings to the world; the latter brings suffering.2020-11-2027 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipMindfulness and the laws of physics. Ecclesastes/Koheles #2.A brief summary of this episode2020-11-1213 min
The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish LeadershipThe three levels of the human soul and the deeper nature of reality. Ecclesiastes #1Behind every physical phenomena is a deep spiritual reality. This is true about everything, and especially true of the human being. Discover the three levels of human soul: survival, motivation/movement, and the intellect.2020-11-0320 min