Michael Franco
213 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsLecture series covering various Judaic topics with emphasis on analysis of the Torah
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Episodes
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 7: I Have Arrived
December 14, 2022 04:37 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBIn this episode, we discuss various ways of experiencing the mystical notion of "having arrived," from Zen Koans to analogies to music to Kabbalistic ideas regarding the human condition.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 6: The Easy Way in
December 07, 2022 04:03 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBIn this class, we focus on the Taoist philosophical school, which emphasizes "acting without acting," using cleverness rather than effort. We close with a continuation of our discussions of Kabbalah and redemption of Divine sparks.
Kohelet Chapter 2: Wisdom and Folly
December 06, 2022 13:59 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBIn this episode, we explore Kohelet's thoughts on wisdom and its virtues, as well as its shortcomings. We close with Kohelet's thoughts about wisdom and legacy.
Parashat Vayese 2022: Be the Ladder
December 03, 2022 23:19 - 5 minutes - 900 KBIn this week's podcast, we compare two stories within the Parasha and derive a critical lesson from the life of Yaakob.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 5: Koans and Unraveling Egoic Complexes
November 30, 2022 04:19 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBIn this episode, we begin with a cryptic quote, transitioning to a discussion on Zen Koans and their function. We close with the Kabbalistic ideas on equanimity and some issues with ascetic practice.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 4: The Paradox of Spiritual Growth
November 16, 2022 16:04 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBIn this episode, we discuss some of the (paradoxical) Eastern ways of looking at spiritual development, along with Kabbalistic models of spiritual growth.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 3: Empty Your Cup
November 09, 2022 12:34 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBIn this episode, we begin with some Eastern stories and we continue discussing how the various schools of Kabbalah view the practice of the misvot.
Kohelet Class 1 2022: Asking the Big Questions
November 08, 2022 04:42 - 1 hour - 62.2 MBIn this class, we introduce the book of Kohelet and its author. We use a variety of sources to reflect on this author's unique perspective.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 2: Enlightenment and Divine Relationship
November 02, 2022 03:29 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBIn this podcast, we compare and contrast enlightenment as seen from an Eastern perspective and the love story told by Kabbalah. We introduce some of the schools of Kabbalah and how they view performance of the misvot.
Parashat Noah 2022: The Silent Pull of God
October 29, 2022 23:12 - 5 minutes - 2.38 MBIn this podcast, we explore the radio silence experienced by Noah after leaving the Tebah, driving this righteous man to alcoholism. We notice that silence can be re-framed in a positive way if we learn how to listen.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Episode 1: Introduction and Spiritual Ophthalmology
October 26, 2022 03:16 - 59 minutes - 50.5 MBIn this class, we introduce the importance of mysticism not as a religious pursuit per se, but as a form of psychotherapy or ophthalmology. We recap some of the ideas from last year's class series and expand on these concepts.
Spiritual Psychotherapy Class 1: Introduction and Spiritual Ophthalmology
October 26, 2022 03:16 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBIn this class, we introduce the importance of mysticism not as a religious pursuit per se, but as a form of psychotherapy or ophthalmology. We recap some of the ideas from last year's class series and expand on these concepts.
Parashat Haazinu 2022: Musicophilia
October 08, 2022 23:33 - 6 minutes - 3.1 MBIn this week's podcast, we explore some intriguing cases from the writings of famous neurologist Oliver Sacks. We show that music is a fundamental part of the human experience and we connect this with the importance of the song of Haazinu.
Rosh HaShanah 2022: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
September 25, 2022 00:17 - 7 minutes - 3.42 MBIn this podcast, we introduce some interesting differences between the psychology of men and women. We show that this gap can be compared, LEHAVDIL, with the gap between humankind and the Almighty.
Parashat Ki Tese 2022: Compassionate Justice
September 11, 2022 00:55 - 6 minutes - 3.08 MBIn this podcast, we notice the tension between some very compassionate misvot in the parasha and their more harsh counterparts. We look to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for wisdom to resolve this tension.
Parashat Emor 2022: A New Kind of Time
May 15, 2022 01:48 - 9 minutes - 4.34 MBIn this week's podcast, we take on a new understanding of the purpose of the agricultural biblical holidays, showing how this leads to a new time-consciousness for the nation of Israel.
Passover 2022: Amazing Grace
April 24, 2022 01:07 - 6 minutes - 3 MBIn this podcast, we explore the concept of grace as it relates to the exodus and a return to a state of childlike wonder.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 18: Prophetic Kabbalah Part 4: Conclusion
April 06, 2022 04:30 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBIn this podcast, we begin with some quotes about the experience of reincarnation. We then conclude our discussion on the very unique approach of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia and his prophetic kabbalah.
Parashat Tazria 2022: Setting Boundaries
April 03, 2022 00:39 - 8 minutes - 3.85 MBIn this week's podcast, we ask the question of what exactly causes the malady of Saraat based on the examples given throughout Tanakh. Based on this, we learn an important lesson about codependency and the psychology of boundary setting.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 17: Prophetic Kabbalah Part 3: Rabbi Abraham Abulafia
March 30, 2022 04:45 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBIn this class, we continue our discussion of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia and his unique approach towards achieving the mystical prophetic state.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 16: Prophetic Kabbalah Part 2
March 23, 2022 02:58 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBIn this class, we continue to explore throne mysticism and transition into the unique and intriguing approach of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia.
Parashat Sav 2022: Andre Agassi, Sacrifices, and How to Change
March 20, 2022 00:56 - 7 minutes - 3.19 MBIn this week's podcast, we learn from a turning point in the great career of tennis legend Andre Agassi. We see how this connects to the sacrificial ceremony and that we have many opportunities in our lives today to practice these lessons about how to spur positive change.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 15: Kabbalah Part 8: Prophetic Kabbalah
March 16, 2022 02:53 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBIn this class, we enter the realm of prophetic Kabbalah, full of its many mysteries and secrets. Enjoy!
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 14: Kabbalah Part 7: Drawing Down Divine Grace
March 09, 2022 03:42 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBIn this class, we begin by exploring the concept of grace as it appears in the Eastern traditions. We transition into a discussion of a kabbalistic view of grace and how the saddik is called upon to be a bridge to the spirit world.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 13: Kabbalah Part 6: Addressing God’s ”Needs” Part 2
March 02, 2022 14:32 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBIn this class, we begin with some excerpts from the late great Thich Naht Hanh and from the Tao te Ching. We close off our discussion of Addressing Divine needs by exploring some very interesting rabbinic statements and Talmudic Aggadoth.
Parashat Vayakhel 2022: My Heart is with the Ukrainian People
February 27, 2022 01:11 - 8 minutes - 3.67 MBIn this week's podcast, we connect the events unfolding in Ukraine to the underlying theme in our parasha. We learn important lessons from Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 12: Kabbalah Part 5: Taoism vs. Addressing Divine Needs
February 23, 2022 04:21 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBIn this class, we begin with some quotes from the Tao te Ching and other Taoist texts. We compare this way of thinking with many of the Kabbalistic texts discussing humans playing a key role in addressing God's "needs."
Parashat Ki Tissa 2022:The Covenantal American Story
February 21, 2022 00:33 - 11 minutes - 5.27 MBThis President's weekend, we connect the parasha to some remarkable historical facts about the very beginnings of life in America.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 11: Kabbalah Part 4: Mystical Intimacy and Mescaline
February 16, 2022 04:57 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBIn this class, we conclude our discussion of mystical intimacy, touching on popular ideas like love of God, the apparent gap between us and God, and "En od milevado" -- there is none but God. We close with a riveting account by John Blofeld on his experience taking the psychedelic compound Mescaline.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 10: Kabbalah Part 3: Mystical Intimacy
February 09, 2022 04:38 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBIn this class, we begin to discuss the different approaches towards relating to infinity in a more intimate fashion. We learn that some seek a complete merging with the Divine, while others are content in maintaining separateness. The key to it all, it seems, is opening oneself to the love of God.
Parashat Terumah 2022: Imitatio Dei
February 06, 2022 16:14 - 9 minutes - 4.46 MBIn this week's podcast, we discuss mirror neurons, imitatio Dei, and interactions of adults and babies. We tie all these together into the concept of holiness within spacetime as this holiness manifests in the Ark of the Covenant and shabbat.
Parashat Yitro 2022: Loving the Particular
January 23, 2022 01:38 - 9 minutes - 4.35 MBIn this week's podcast, we ask the question of how we can learn to love God and the totality of our lives despite all the particulars of life. We demonstrate that the spiritual transformation of Yitro is a blueprint for the answer to this question.
Parashat Bo 2022: Surrender to Freedom
January 08, 2022 23:36 - 8 minutes - 3.57 MBWhat drives alcoholics to drink? What does AA have to teach us about a healthy relationship with God? This week's Parasha brings all of this together beautifully.
Parashat Vayiggash 2021: Collecting Your Sparks
December 11, 2021 23:14 - 7 minutes - 5.42 MBIn this week's podcast, we introduce the central figure of Hassidut, the Baal Shem Tob. We notice how Hassidut's idea of tiqqun, cosmic redemption, plays itself out in the life of Yehudah.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 9: Kabbalah Part 2: The Sefirot
December 08, 2021 04:14 - 1 hour - 63.3 MBIn this class, we give a history and excursus of the Sefirot, the mysterious 'divine emanations' that are so central to the study and practice of Kabbalah. We learn of 4 different schools of thought surrounding these Sefirot and we delve into the profound associations of each.
Parashat Vayesheb 2021: I Have a Dream
December 01, 2021 22:44 - 9 minutes - 6.29 MBIn this podcast, we draw inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered in 1963. We learn why Yoseph was not met with approval when he had some dreams of his own; we derive the lessons this great leader learned to make him into the man he soon became.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 8: Kabbalah Part 1
December 01, 2021 04:25 - 1 hour - 283 MBIn this podcast, we begin with an exploration of Masekhet Hagigah 14b, which discusses the story of "the four who entered the 'pardes,'" along with the story's context. We then give an introduction to Kabbalah by presenting 5 models of Kabbalistic thought. We will continue the discussion of Kabbalah in our next podcast.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 7: The Science of the Mystical
November 24, 2021 14:21 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBIn this podcast, we begin with a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh, describing the duality of mystical consciousness. We move into a discussion of time alteration during the mystical experience based on quotes from a physicist and a guru. Finally, we conclude with quotes from Haidt's The Happiness Hypothesis and Pollan's How to Change your Mind that elucidate some of the neuroscience behind mystical experiences.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 6: The Shadow Element
November 17, 2021 04:01 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBIn this week's class, we learn the importance of acceptance of the "shadow element" in attaining enlightenment. We draw upon sources including the Talmud, Jalal-al-Din Rumi, and Carl Jung.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 5
November 10, 2021 20:40 - 58 minutes - 52.8 MBIn this episode, we explore sources ranging from HaRambam to Alan Watts, Freud, and more. All of these sources combine to comment about the quality of mystical experience.
Parashat Toledot 2021: Be Like an Electron
November 06, 2021 23:11 - 7 minutes - 5.06 MBIn this week's podcast, we learn an interesting parallel between the quantum properties of the electron and the ambiguity within our parasha.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 4: The Limits of Rationalism Continued
November 03, 2021 03:59 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBIn this episode, we recap some of Jonathan Haidt's ideas and we continue with a thought experiment from Alan Watts. We close with an excerpt from an article entitled, "The Overexamined Life is not Worth Living" by Dr. David Shatz of Yeshivah University.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 3: The Limits of Rationalism
October 27, 2021 04:25 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBIn this class, we explore some of the work of Jonathan Haidt and we notice the natural limitations of our rational minds.
Parashat Vayera 2021: Part 2: HaTiqvah and Yishaq
October 25, 2021 18:16 - 5 minutes - 3.5 MBIn this podcast, we learn from a curious linguistic link between Yirmiyahu and Parashat Vayera.
Parashat Vayera 2021: Aqedat Yishaq and Psalm 8
October 25, 2021 18:07 - 7 minutes - 5.44 MBIn this podcast, we learn a common lesson about paradox from Aqedat Yishaq and the 8th psalm.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism Episode 2
October 20, 2021 04:40 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBIn this podcast, we briefly recap the first episode of the series and continue our discussion of the ego and the mystical experience. We close with some quotes and poems that express these profound ideas beautifully.
Rationalism vs. Mysticism: Introduction
October 13, 2021 17:28 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBIn this class, we give an introduction to the fundamental schism between two important ways of finding truth. We discuss topics ranging from epistemology, to the mystical experience, and the Garden of Eden.
Parashat Noah 2021: The Balance of Righteousness
October 09, 2021 23:45 - 9 minutes - 6.24 MBIn this week's podcast, we discuss the key differences between Abraham and Noah. We draw a lesson from Jordan Peterson's book 12 Rules for Life and from traditional Chinese medicine.
Kohelet Chapter 12: In Conclusion: Mindfulness Here and Now
June 01, 2021 01:52 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBCongratulations! You made it to the end of this very profound work! In this class, we discuss the concluding message of Kohelet, relating it to modern ideas of mindfulness. We end with a study of the book's epilogue, making note of how it closes off the book with very particular intentions.
Kohelet Chapter 11: YOLO?: Embracing Youth
May 12, 2021 15:56 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBHow do we live fully, knowing that life is fleeting? In this chapter, Kohelet provides us with some timeless wisdom regarding enjoyment of youth.