Yaakov Lieder, at The Blogs

Mar 4, 2025, 5:43 PM

Adar’s Joy Formula: Stop Chasing Happiness and Start Living It

The Joy Formula: How Adar Teaches Us to Stop Chasing Happiness and Start Living It If you have 45 seconds Every year, as the month of Adar rolls in, David—your average person, always on the hunt for happiness—finds himself puzzled. People excitedly...

Feb 27, 2025, 6:58 PM

The Power of Small Choices

If you have 30 seconds Last week, after dropping my wife off at the airport, I encountered an unexpected lesson in decision-making on my drive back. As I approached a fork in the road, I faced a split-second choice—remain in...

Feb 24, 2025, 1:38 PM

Rules, Regret, and Redemption: A Teacher’s Reflection on Discipline

At my teacher and parenting training seminars, I share the following story—a moment of personal reflection that profoundly shaped my understanding of discipline, leadership, and the human heart. In 1998, during a visit to New York for a conference, I...

Feb 19, 2025, 8:04 AM

Yitro’s Wisdom: Turning Criticism into Solutions

If you have 30 seconds Whenever someone offers me feedback, the first thing I do is ask: Is this guidance meant to help me improve, or is it simply criticism for its own sake? A powerful example of this distinction comes...

Feb 11, 2025, 5:54 AM

Ancient Wisdom: Keep One Eye Closed-The Secret to Stronger Relationships

"Do not try to see him at the time of his disgrace." — Ethics of Our Fathers 4:18 If you have 30 seconds: In 1976, a year before I got married, my mother shared a piece of advice about marriage and...

Jan 30, 2025, 4:33 PM

Ancient Wisdom: Stretching Beyond – Pharaoh’s Daughter’s Lessons

Ancient Wisdom Applied in the Modern World - Stretching for the Impossible: Lessons From Pharaoh's Daughter That Modern Life Forgot If you have 30 seconds: Pharaoh’s daughter wasn’t just stepping into the Nile; she was stepping into history. Picture the scene: her...

Sep 18, 2024, 5:23 PM

Pointing Fingers or Taking Charge: A Path to Growth

If you have 30 seconds: Reflect on the moment when G-d asked Adam, "Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" (Genesis 3:11). Adam, rather than taking responsibility, replied, "The woman whom You gave...

Sep 5, 2024, 10:54 PM

The True Measure of Wealth: Tzedakah Over Charity

By Rabbi Yaakov Lieder If you have 30 seconds: Throughout my life, I've encountered many givers and many takers, and one thing is clear: Those who give are far happier than those who take. True joy in life comes from giving....

Feb 15, 2024, 7:26 PM

Ep 3-Resisting the Marshmallow: Ancient Wisdom for the Age of Instantaneity

B”H 15 February 2024 Episode 3: "Resisting the Marshmallow: Ancient Wisdom for the Age of Instantaneity" If you have 30 seconds In an era where instant gratification is the order of the day, I took a curious dive into the concept of...

Feb 6, 2024, 9:41 AM

Episode 2: S Even when confirmation feels divine, consider a question

B”H February 5 2024 Episode 2/2024 If you have 30 seconds Even when confirmation feels divine, consider a question Imagine the school holidays, my wife and I attempting to entertain children of all ages simultaneously. Pure chaos, right? In the midst of that, meet...

About Me

Rabbi Yaakov Lieder was born in Israel and received his formal education in Israel and the United States. For the past 42 years he has been involved in many aspects of education and has held a variety of positions in Australia.

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