Modern Jewish Girl

Join me in this very special episode as I speak with one of my Torah teachers, Rebbetzin Sara Yoheved Rigler, about her book Holy Woman: The Road to Greatness of Rebbetzin Chaya Sara Kramer. In honor of Rebbetzin Chaya Sara Kramer's yahrtzeit, on the 3rd of Sivan (which begins on the evening of May 29th), we discuss the life and legacy of this true tzedekes (righteous woman) and what we can learn from her. Rebbetzin Rigler shares amazing stories and powerful tools for growth, including Rebbetzin Chaya Sara's four-step recipe for happiness. This is an episode you don't want to miss! 
About Rebbetzin Sara Yoheved Rigler:
Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of seven books on Jewish spirituality: Holy
Woman; Lights from Jerusalem; Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer
Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller); G-d Winked: Tales and Lessons from My
Spiritual Adventures; Heavenprints; and Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup:
The Story of Rebbetzin Henny Machlis, the Brooklyn-born Girl who became a
Jerusalem Legend. Her newest book, I’ve Been Here Before: When Souls of the
Holocaust Return, is the product of 8 years of research into reincarnated souls
from the Holocaust. She gives a weekly Marriage Webinar for Jewish women
on a spiritual approach to marriage, with hundreds of members throughout
the world. She lives in Jerusalem. Her website is: sararigler.com. Her YouTube
channel is "From Within the Walls of Jerusalem," where she relates stories, presents gems of Jewish wisdom, and teaches practical life tools.

Sponsor: Nishmat
In our post-October 7 world, are you seeking to connect more deeply with your Jewish heritage? Are you a mom with kids at camp, looking to spend a week—or even three—immersed in Torah? A Torah teacher seeking a summer of in-depth learning in Yerushalayim? Or maybe an entrepreneur eager to explore the Jewish laws of business in detail? No matter your stage of life, Nishmat's Summer Beit Midrash is the place for you. This program offers transformative Torah learning for women of all backgrounds, in the heart of Jerusalem. Visit nishmat.net/summer-beit-midrash to learn more and sign up!

Sources:
Holy Woman: The Road to Greatness of Rebbetzin Chaya Sara Kramer
Sara Rigler's website
Modern Jewish Girl Website

Join me as I discuss the connection between Purim and Bitachon- trust in G-d. 
The Nesivos Shalom explains that Purim is not just a historical account of what happened to the Jewish people when we avoided near annihilation in ancient Persia; it is a primer in how to effect these types of yeshuos- salvations. The key is bitachon- trust in G-d.
What is bitachon? How does it work? What are the spiritual and material benefits of trusting in G-d? How can we achieve personal and national salvation through bitachon? Join me as I speak about this and more. 
Modern Jewish Girl Website
Sponsor: Nishmat
In our post-October 7 world, are you seeking to connect more deeply with your Jewish heritage? Are you a mom with kids at camp, looking to spend a week—or even three—immersed in Torah? A Torah teacher seeking a summer of in-depth learning in Yerushalayim? Or maybe an entrepreneur eager to explore the Jewish laws of business in detail? No matter your stage of life, Nishmat's Summer Beit Midrash is the place for you. This program offers transformative Torah learning for women of all backgrounds, in the heart of Jerusalem. Visit nishmat.net/summer-beit-midrash to learn more and sign up!
Sources: 
Gems From the Nesivos Shalom, Purim
The Concise Shaar HaBitachon of Chovos HaLevavos (Duties of the Heart)

Gitty Layosh and I explore the women's mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles in the last part of this three-part series. We discuss the practical aspects of the mitzvah and its deeper significance. We share inspirational stories related to the mitzvah of candle-lighting and we talk about the connection between Shabbos and Chanukah candles.

Episode Sponsor: Nishmat
Are you a post-high school young woman looking to spend a meaningful time in seminary next year? Are you looking to have a year of high-level Torah learning, fun activities, discover Eretz Yisrael and meet Israeli students? Look no further! Liba at Nishmat is for you. For more information and to apply, go to: nishmat.net/liba

Shabbat Candlelighting Prayer:

Baruch ata Adonoy
Eloheinu melech ha-olam
asher kid'shanu be’mitzvo’sav
ve-tzivanu lehadlik ner shel Shabbos.

(Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe,
Who made us holy with His commandments
and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat light.)

Special Prayer for After Lighting the Candles: 

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, to be gracious to me
(and to my spouse, children, parents) and to all my family; grant us and all
Israel good and long life; remember us for good and blessing; consider us for
salvation and compassion; bless us with great blessings; make our household
complete, crowning our home with the feeling of Your Divine Presence dwelling
among us. Make me worthy to raise learned children and grandchildren, who
are wise and understanding, who love and fear God, people of truth, holy and
attached to God, who will dazzle the world with Torah and goodness and service
of God. Please hear our prayers, in the merit of our matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca,
Rachel and Leah, and ensure that the glow of our lives will never be dimmed.
Show us the glow of Your face and we will be saved. Amen.

Modern Jewish Girl Website

Join my close friend Gitty Layosh and I as we dive in (pun intended) to the second episode of a three-part mini-series on the women's mitzvot: mikvah. We talk about what a mikvah is, why men and particularly women use the mikvah, the spiritual depth of immersing the mikvah, as well as the connection of water to the current Hebrew month of Cheshvan. We also share stories of Jews throughout history who sacrificed to be able to use the mikvah, and much more!

Episode Sponsor: Nishmat
Are you a post-high school young woman looking to spend a meaningful time in seminary next year? Are you looking to have a year of high-level Torah learning, fun activities, discover Eretz Yisrael and meet Israeli students? Look no further! Liba at Nishmat is for you. For more information and to apply, go to: nishmat.net/liba 

More Resources:
Mikvah.org
The Secret of Jewish Femininity by Tehilla Abramov
Mikvah on the Mountain: One Woman's Miracle
Modern Jewish Girl Website

Join my close friend Gitty Layosh and I in the first of a three-part mini-series on the women's mitzvot! First up: challah. We talk about the beauty of the mitzvah, the symbolism of each ingredient, how to do the mitzvah, ridding ourselves of guilt if we can't make challah right now, and much more! We also discuss the connection between challah and the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashana.
More on the mitzvah of challah: https://www.modernjewishgirl.com/post/challah-what-we-knead-to-know

Gitty's Challah Recipe:
1 cup warm water
3 tablespoon yeast
Sprinkle of sugar
Mix the yeast water and sugar and let bubble for a few minutes. 
In another large bowl, mix:
3 tablespoons of salt and 5 pounds of flour
1/2 cup of sugar
Mix
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 eggs
Mix
Pour in the yeast and add 4 cups warm water (2 cold and 2 hot)
Knead the dough; fold press and turn
Cover with two dish towels and let it rise for an hour/45 min
Take the challah and make the blessing (see below)
Bake at 325 when it starts to brown switch to 350- in total about 30 minutes

The Blessing on Separating Challah