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Mindfully Jewish, episode #11. A thought before Rosh Hashanah a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

Mindfully Jewish, episode #10. Towards the New Year a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD

Mindfully Jewish, episode #9. Living truthfully: a word is a word a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD Today we elaborate on a very important topic that we have previously discussed: vows and oaths, and their importance for living truthfully: a topic which has previously been discussed in episode 4 on parshios matos and masei. Our sages teach us that the word נדבה refers to a free-willed ‘gift’, something that we are fully willfully taking upon ourselves. The Rashbam therefore also comments that it refers back to hishava sh’vu’ah which is the taking of an oath, not necessarily to yidor neder taking an oath. As Shlomo haMelech wrote in Koheles: ט֖וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־תִדֹּ֑ר מִשֶׁתִּדּ֖וֹר וְלֹ֥א תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ It is better not to vow at all than to vow and not fulfill. But what is the point of making a vow? And why is it so important to be mindful with the words we utter? 

Mindfully Jewish, episode #8. Introspective work before teshuvah a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD During the month of Elul, we go through a transitional process from the months of the previous year towards the highly spiritual days Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Cheshbon haNevesh and teshuvah are very difficult, deeply soul-searching processes that are easily forgotten in our busy day to day lifes. In this weeks episode, we discuss the meaning of introspection and teshuvah. What does introspection teach us? How does it lead to motivaiton to change our behaviour? And how can we deduct this from the very word teshuvah? Elul is our calling for teshuvah: the time to work on our introspection and set the course for the future. וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתַי It's never to late to start now. 

Mindfully Jewish, episode #7. Repentance and the choices that shape our lives a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD As we come close to the Jewish month of Elul, this weeks parshat reminds us of the choice we have to choose for blessings or curses. As Sforno explains: You have the choice of both before you: all you have to do is make a choice. In this episode, we touch upon the teachings of two prominents in the world of psychology, doctor Edith Eger and doctor Viktor Frankl. Both relating to the importance of our choices and our free will towards a meaningful life. What does the introspective process of Elul mean to us? How can we reflect? And what steps are taken for true teshuvah? How can we really do cheshbon hanefesh? This episode may give you some things to further think about.

Mindfully Jewish, episode #6. With all your heart and all your soul. a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD Based on this weeks Parshat, in which Moshe speaks the words which are arguably the most famous in all our writings: שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד: וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָֽבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ we discuss the mind-body connection based on the Kabbalistic teachings as recorded in the Holy Zohar. What is the duality between the body and the soul? And why do we need both in order to live a meaningful life? 

Mindfully Jewish, episode #5. The balance between remembrance and clinging to hope a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD As the start of Tisha B’Av this year falls on Motzei Shabbos, the texts of Devarim, Isaiah and Eicha become linked into one message. In this weeks episode we therefore take a closer look at some lessons that shine forth throughout all three texts. What message do Moshe, Isaiah and Jeremiah provide us underneath the words of rebuke? Can we find words of faith and hope in the deeply moving passages of Isaiah and Eicha? לִמְד֥וּ הֵיטֵ֛ב דִּרְשׁ֥וּ מִשְׁפָּ֖ט אַשְּׁר֣וּ חָמ֑וֹץ שִׁפְט֣וּ יָת֔וֹם רִ֖יבוּ אַלְמָנָֽה: May we see the rebuilding of Jerusalem speedily and in our days.

Mindfully Jewish, episode #4. The importance and dangers of vows and oaths a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD In this week's Parshat, we are told by Moshe: אִישׁ֩ כִּֽי־יִדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה אֽוֹ־הִשָּׁ֤בַע שְׁבֻעָה֙ לֶאְסֹ֤ר אִסָּר֙ עַל־נַפְשׁ֔וֹ לֹ֥א יַחֵ֖ל דְּבָר֑וֹ כְּכָל־הַיֹּצֵ֥א מִפִּ֖יו יַֽעֲשֶֽׂה: Or in translation: If a man makes a vow to the Lord or makes an oath to prohibit himself, he shall not violate his word; according to whatever came out of his mouth, he shall do. But what does it mean to make a vow or oath? Why are they so important? And why does the Rambam teach us that to vows (nedarim) are a sign of undermining Hashems mitzvot? In this weeks episode, we discuss these questions and relate them to what we know about the meaning of oaths in our societies. As Nietzsche said: ''Man himself will really have to become reliable, regular, necessary, even in his own self-image, so that he, as someone making a promise, is answerable to his own future.''

Mindfully Jewish, episode #3. Having the courage to ask a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD Based on this week's Parshat, Parshas Pinchas, in which we encounter the narrative of the daughters of Zelophehad: וַתִּקְרַ֜בְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת צְלָפְחָ֗ד בֶּן־חֵ֤פֶר .... ְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ שְׁמ֣וֹת בְּנֹתָ֔יו מַחְלָ֣ה נֹעָ֔ה וְחָגְלָ֥ה וּמִלְכָּ֖ה וְתִרְצָֽה: we discuss what thoughts often hold us back from asking for help or for something that we want or need. That we sometimes believe that we are stronger, if we don't ask others. However, asking shows assertiveness and it shows that we take responsibility to evolve. It's all about the art of asking. As the Sages say: ‘Who is wise? One who learns from everyone’.

Mindfully Jewish, episode #2. Mourning without losing hope and faith. a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD Relating to the current Bein haMetzarim, the Three Weeks, during which we mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and our 2000 year long gallus, we discuss the importance of commemorating and mourning the tragic events that befell the Jewish people. The Sages teach us that those who mourn the destruction of Jerusalem will merit seeing it rebuilt with the coming of Messiah. In addition, the Talmud states that ''When Av arrives, we decrease in joy.'' What does this mean? And what would it mean if we didn't focus on our faith and spiritual elevation?

Mindfully Jewish, episode #1. Blessings and curses, do we really know the difference? a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD Based on a sentence of this week's Parshat, in which Hashem opens the prophet Balaams eyes: וַיְגַ֣ל יְהֹוָה֘ אֶת־עֵינֵ֣י בִלְעָם֒ we discuss that how we value our life - count or blessings and our curses - is deeply rooted in the way our mind perceives things. In order to obtain a more positive outlook on life, we have to stop blaming ourselves for things that are outside of our control. However, the Torah teaches us that our lives are NOT solely dependent on fate. So there is an active part that we need to work on: we have to choose a way that will lead as to blessings, and a positive outlook that will open our eyes to the blessings that are already right in front of us.