How do we light candles, sing songs of gratitude, spin the dreidel, and eat latkes - in the shadow of devastating loss and tragedy?
This episode begins with that tension. On one end of the world, the beautiful celebration of Chanukah at Bondi Beach was shattered by an antisemitic attack. We remember moments when Jews lit Chanukah candles in places like Bergen-Belsen, clinging to meaning when there was almost nothing left.
We reflect on the haunting video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and on Viktor Frankl’s insight that “those who have a why to live can bear almost any how.” Chanukah does not ask us to ignore suffering. It asks us to hold light and darkness together - to choose meaning, resilience, and hope, even when life feels unbearably fractured.
Check out my book Living Beautifully - how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot. https://amzn.to/4aYmuwp
You might know how to light the Chanukah candles but do you know why we light them the way we do?
This episode uncovers the surprising debate behind the mitzvah, the deeper meaning of light in Judaism, and the powerful message the flames are trying to teach us today.
Check out my book Living Beautifully - how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - What are we really celebrating when we light the Chanukah candles?
This episode uncovers the surprising debate behind the mitzvah, the deeper meaning of light in Judaism, and the powerful message the flames are trying to teach us today.
If someone walked up to you and asked, “So… what actually makes you Jewish?” — how would you answer?
In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most fundamental — and most misunderstood — questions of Jewish identity. Through the story of Yaakov and Esav, the mysterious struggle in Rivka’s womb, the meaning of the blessings, and the battle that happens inside every one of us, we uncover what it truly means to be part of the Jewish people.
This is an episode about essence, destiny, and the quiet voice inside that knows who you really are.
We open with the deceptively simple question: If gratitude is so obviously good, why do so many of us struggle to express it? What emotional resistance sits underneath?
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore one of the most transformative middot: gratitude. Why is it so hard to simply say thank you - to people, and even to Hashem? Through surprising Torah stories, deep psychological insights, and powerful questions for self-reflection, we unpack the real inner work behind gratitude.
Check out my book Living Beautifully - how to bring meaning, love and joy into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - now available as Audiobook as well as hardback and Kindle - https://amzn.to/48mOUNW
Why do we have three Avot?
Why not one towering role model, or ten? And what makes Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov fundamentally different from any other Jewish inspiring figures?
Join us as we take a deep dive into the inner world of the patriarchs, uncovering how each embodied a distinct spiritual quality — and how each was deliberately tested in the area opposite their natural strength in order to achieve inner balance and wholeness.
Just as they faced tests that stretched them beyond their natural strengths, we too are invited to ask:
Where am I strong, and where am I being nudged to grow?
What does balance look like in my life?
Together, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov form the complete blueprint of a fully actualized human being.
A new understanding of the Avot
A lens for identifying your own spiritual “default setting”
Tools for recognizing the tests that come to develop your opposite trait
Check out my book Living Beautifully - now available in audiobook as well - https://amzn.to/48ez9bv
We all want happiness — but what does it actually take? In this episode, we explore a surprising insight from one of the Torah’s greatest commentators, Rashi, who says something almost impossible to imagine:
Sarah’s entire life was “equally good.”
All the years of her life — from childhood to old age — were equally filled with goodness.
But wait… how can that be true?
Sarah faced challenges that would break most people — being taken captive twice, decades of infertility, uncertainty, wandering, and pain. So what does Rashi mean? And what does it teach us about happiness?
The mystery of Sarah’s happiness: How Rashi can claim her life was “all good” despite so many hardships.
The difference between a happy life and a comfortable life — and why they aren’t the same thing.
Sarah’s inner approach that made her joy steady and not dependent on circumstances.
If you liked this episode, you'll love my book Living Beautifully - available on Amazon
In this insightful and uplifting episode, Gila Ross opens up about the profound lessons that emerge through life’s challenges. Together, we explore the deeper Jewish understanding of tests—nisaeon—and their surprising connection to nes, miracles.Rather than seeing challenges as obstacles, Gila reveals how they can become pathways to growth, clarity, and spiritual elevation. She shares powerful reflections on how struggle and divine intervention often intertwine, and how faith can transform even the hardest moments into opportunities for transcendence.This conversation is rich with perspective, inspiration, and practical wisdom.If you’ve ever wondered why challenges show up in your life—or how to rise through them with strength and meaning—this episode will leave you feeling grounded, hopeful, and empowered.
We take a deep, honest look at idol worship - not as statues or ancient rituals, but as a mindset that can still tempt us today. What is the real lure of idol worship? At its core, why would someone want to worship an idol?
You’ll hear about:
The psychology behind why idol worship was so tempting in the Torah and why it still shows up in modern forms
What happens internally when we move from “How do I get what I want?” to “How do I live in partnership with God?”
Shame is one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—human emotions. But what role does it play in Jewish thought and life?
In this episode, we explore:
Why do we feel shame? Is it just a negative emotion, or does it serve a deeper purpose?
Is shame a good thing? How Jewish sources distinguish between toxic shame and healthy shame that guides us toward growth.
How should we respond to shame? Practical wisdom on transforming shame into an opportunity for reflection, connection, and change.
Join us as we uncover how Judaism frames shame not as something to hide from, but as a tool for personal development and a reminder of our potential.
Check out my book, Living Beautifully - to bring joy, meaning, and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot
In this episode, we explore one of the most famous teachings of Hillel from Pirkei Avot:"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"
This timeless mishna challenges us to reflect on three essential questions of life:
Self-responsibility: What does it mean to take ownership of my life, my growth, and my spiritual journey?
Connection and responsibility to others: How do I balance caring for myself with giving to others?
The urgency of now: Why is procrastination so tempting, and how can we overcome it to live with purpose today?
We’ll discuss how Hillel’s words remain as relevant as ever in our world of endless distractions and competing demands.
You’ll walk away with practical insights into finding the balance between self-care, community, and taking action in the moment.
Join us as we dive deep into this short but powerful teaching that can change the way you approach your daily choices.- Check out my book Living Beautifully, for more insights to bring meaning, joy and love into your life
Respect is something we all crave — yet, surprisingly, it doesn’t always come naturally to give it. In this episode, we explore the idea that human nature often pushes us toward judgment, dismissal, or even disrespect. If that’s true, then the challenge is clear: we need to consciously lean into respect, giving more of it than we might instinctively feel.
What does it mean to live a life of purpose without expecting a reward? In this episode, we dive into the profound teaching of Antignos ben Socho, who said:
"Do not be like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward, but rather be like servants who serve their master without the intention of receiving a reward; and let the fear of Heaven be upon you."
We explore:
✅ What does it really mean to do good for its own sake?
✅ How can we apply this in a world driven by incentives and recognition?
Whether you’re curious about Jewish ethics, personal growth, or want a practical takeaway for living more meaningfully, this episode will leave you inspired and challenged.
🎧 Listen now and discover why serving without expectation leads to the ultimate reward.
What is the single most important quality a person can hold onto in life? In this episode, we dive into the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot where Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai asks his students: What is the best path a person should cling to? Each student suggests something different—generosity, friendship, foresight, kindness—but Rabbi Elazar says: a good heart.
Why did Rabbi Yochanan declare this the most valuable path of all? What does it mean to truly have a “good heart”—and how does that shape the way we see others, ourselves, and even God?
Join us as we explore:
The different answers the students gave and why each matters
Why a good heart includes all the other qualities
This Mishnah invites us to reframe success—not by what we achieve or acquire, but by the quality of our inner world and how it radiates outward.
Some love falls apart. Some conflict builds worlds.
What makes the difference?
In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful teachings in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers 5:16–17):
“Any love that depends on something—when that thing ceases, the love also ceases. But a love that does not depend on anything will never cease.”
“Any dispute that is for the sake of Heaven will have a lasting outcome, and one that is not for the sake of Heaven will not have a lasting outcome.”
With vivid examples—Amnon and Tamar’s destructive love vs. David and Jonathan’s deep bond; Korach’s rebellion vs. the debates of Hillel and Shammai—this Mishnah gives us a roadmap to understand what makes relationships endure and disagreements bear fruit.
Excerpted from my book, Living Beautifully - how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - gilaross.com/book
Fear is a natural part of life - but what if fear isn’t just about what we’re afraid of… but what we don’t value enough?In this powerful episode, we explore how fear often reveals a lack of clarity in our values. Through the stories of Esau selling his birthright and the spies sent to scout the Land of Israel, we uncover how giving in to fear can cause us to miss out on our greatest opportunities—and even on our purpose.💭 In this episode:Why Esau gave up his future for a bowl of stew—and what that teaches us about fear-How the spies' fear of failure outweighed their trust in G-d and their sense of missionFor more insights to bring meaning, joy and love into your life, check out my book Living Beautifully - gilaross.com/book or on Amazon - https://a.co/d/c97E2Yg.
In this meaningful episode, we explore The Three Weeks—a period of national mourning for the Jewish people that begins with the 17th of Tammuz and culminates on Tisha B’Av. But what exactly are we mourning? And what can the loss of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) teach us about our lives today?We’ll journey back in time to discover what life was like when the Temple stood and what its absence means for us now. From open miracles to spiritual clarity, the Temple wasn't just a building—it was a living lesson in connection, purpose, and unity.For more insights to bring meaning, joy and love into your life, check out my book Living Beautifully - gilaross.com/book
In this episode, excerpted from my book Living Beautifully, we dive into a powerful question: Does God really care about the small stuff? From a missed smile to a small act of kindness, from a quiet prayer to a hidden struggle—can something so seemingly small matter in the grand scheme of the universe?
Together, we explore Jewish wisdom and stories that show how every detail, every person, and every action carries cosmic significance. Whether you’ve ever wondered if your efforts make a difference or felt invisible in a world that values the “big and bold,” this conversation will leave you uplifted, empowered, and inspired to embrace the holiness of the small.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
Why Judaism believes that every action—even the tiniest one—matters
What it means that every person has a unique mission in this world
🌱 Takeaway Message:
There are no extras in God’s world. You matter. Your choices matter. Even the ones that seem small.
🎧 Listen now and rediscover the sacred in the everyday.
In moments of tension, our instinct might be to smooth things over or "fix" the situation—but what if that causes more harm than good?
In this episode, we explore the profound wisdom of the Mishna that teaches us when not to act, especially in the delicate space of someone else's experience.
You'll discover:
Whether you're navigating a tense conversation with a friend, partner, or child, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and respond with wisdom—so you can help without hurting.
Excerpted from my book, Living Beautifully, we dive into the Mishna (Avos 3:1) that teaches: "Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give an accounting."We explore this powerful teaching on three levels:Our Life: What does this Mishna reveal about the fleeting and humble nature of our physical existence? How can reflecting on our origin and destination motivate us to live with greater purpose, integrity, and gratitude?Our Soul: Beyond the physical, we discuss how the Mishna invites us to recognize our soul's journey: from its divine source, through our life in this world, and ultimately returning to give an accounting before God.Our Actions: Every deed leaves a mark. We look at how this Mishna pushes us to consider the beginning, end, and accountability of each action, not just life as a whole.Along the way, we bring in insights from classic commentaries and offer thought-provoking questions: How does knowing where you came from shift the way you see your challenges? What does it mean to "give an accounting," and how can that inspire us rather than frighten us?Join us as we uncover the depth of this simple yet transformative teaching, and learn how it can help us live more intentionally, spiritually aware, and accountable lives.
In this powerful episode, we explore the three core relationships every human being must cultivate for a life of depth and balance: our relationship with ourselves, our relationship with others, and our relationship with God.
Drawing from timeless Jewish wisdom, we unpack the three spiritual tools designed to help us grow in each area:
Torah – as a mirror to develop self-awareness and purpose.
Prayer – as a pathway to build a real and personal relationship with God.
Kindness – as the soul-language that connects us deeply with other people.
We reflect on the idea that these tools aren’t abstract or outdated — they’re deeply human, practical, and transformative. With relatable stories, thoughtful insights, and actionable takeaways, this episode is a roadmap for spiritual and emotional wellness grounded in Jewish tradition.