The Book of Life: Weekly Wisdom with Ruchi Koval
You Can Always Come Back
We’ve all done things we’re not proud of – but those mistakes do not need to define us.
LISTEN NOWHow to Say “I Don’t Know”
It takes a wise person to say, “I don’t know” – and an even wiser person to be okay with that answer.
LISTEN NOWFresh Start
Each of us is on a journey – but where we are heading may not be apparent for years to come.
LISTEN NOWLove and Logic
Every choice has consequences. It’s how we handle them that matters.
LISTEN NOWGive and Take
No one can survive in this world without ever needing anyone
LISTEN NOWCount Your Blessings
What’s so special about the days between Passover and Shavuot?
LISTEN NOWThe Way We Treat Each Other
Why does Jewish wisdom care so much about how we treat others?
LISTEN NOWMy Heart is in the East
Israel is our shared Jewish homeland – and, for many Jews, it is the only place where we can truly feel at home.
LISTEN NOWIn My Own Backyard
What’s in your backyard?
LISTEN NOWUse Your Words
We can’t always solve other people’s problems, but we can always speak up in support.
LISTEN NOWRaise a Glass – The Right Way
Is there a Jewish way to drink alcohol – or not drink it at all?
LISTEN NOWThank Goodness
Sometimes, it isn’t what happens to us that deserves our gratitude, but what didn’t happen.
LISTEN NOWAngels and Animals
What separates us from the animal kingdom?
LISTEN NOWThe Most Valuable Thing I Own
The most valuable thing in life is something we can’t touch, eat, smell, or see.
LISTEN NOWGive Your Brain a Break
“Taking a break” takes practice. Jewish wisdom can help.
LISTEN NOWA Pinch of Salt
No super-sweet dessert is complete without a pinch of salt. Likewise, our lives aren’t complete without the occasional moment of negativity.
LISTEN NOWHow to Face Hate
Fight antisemitism with this threefold strategy rooted in Jewish wisdom.
LISTEN NOWThe Pursuit of Happiness
Happiness is a choice, according to Jewish wisdom.
LISTEN NOWLet’s Get Real
Ruchi Koval turns to Jewish wisdom for guidance on getting real without regret.
LISTEN NOWSeeking Spirituality
Ruchi Koval explores the beauty and wisdom of Judaism and Buddhism’s shared teachings.
LISTEN NOWWhy We Overcommit
We’ve all overcommitted and not been able to follow through on our promises. Ruchi Koval turns to a piece of Jewish wisdom for help kicking the habit.
LISTEN NOWPassing the Tests of Life
Real-life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, or a map, or even a cheat sheet.
LISTEN NOWThe Size of My Pond
Whether your “pond” is big or small, it’s up to you to decide how big a fish you’d like to be.
LISTEN NOWThe Reset Button
Hit that reset button – with a little help from Jewish wisdom. Ruchi Koval shows us how.
LISTEN NOWUnanswered Prayers
Each of us is yearning for something just out of reach. Should we fight for what we want, or trust that we’ll get it if we wait patiently?
LISTEN NOWBlind Spots
What do your blinders prevent you from seeing? Ruchi Koval digs into a piece of Jewish wisdom that might help us recognize and overcome our blind spots.
LISTEN NOWThe Voice of Doubt
Doubt is not just an emotion – it is a voice, whispering in our ear and distracting us from being our best selves. Ruchi Koval shares how to turn down the volume.
LISTEN NOWThe Gift of Envy
Envy is addictive – and it’s on us to break the habit.
LISTEN NOWHow to Damage a Reputation
How do we resist the pull of gossip?
LISTEN NOWSecond Chances
Do second chances, do-overs, and edits ever work in real life? Ruchi Koval climbs “the second mountain” to find out.
LISTEN NOWWorking Toward Peace
Peace is a gift – and a process. How can we work towards it for ourselves, and for each other?
LISTEN NOWDear Friend, Thank You
You can’t be everything to everyone. But sometimes, you can be everything to someone. Ruchi Koval explores a piece of Jewish wisdom that helps us uncover how.
LISTEN NOWA Knock On The Door
Knocking before entering is a sign of respect. And when others knock on your door, letting them in is a sign of trust.
LISTEN NOWMy Body, My Home
Many people have a complex relationship with their own appearance. Yet, Jewish wisdom advises us to treat our bodies with the kindness and respect they deserve.
LISTEN NOWWelcoming the Stranger
Each one of us has felt like an outsider at some point in our lives. How can we tap into our empathy and support the vulnerable people in our communities and in our lives?
LISTEN NOWThe Key to Happiness
Conscious living means seeking to make the most of our day – instead of mindlessly getting through it. How can we intentionally place the keys to happiness back in our own hands?
LISTEN NOWHow to Win Graciously
It can be challenging to not gloat when someone we dislike struggles. How can we view our adversaries’ downfalls as a loss of life and potential rather than a celebration?
LISTEN NOWThe Value of a Moment
When we come into this world, we are given an enormous gift: time. The story of the exodus from Egypt teaches us how to use it wisely.
LISTEN NOWChoosing to Choose
Do we have the ability to make our own decisions? Or will we always be subject to the forces of nature, nurture, and circumstance? Ruchi Koval explores the wisdom of Jewish thinkers in search of answers.
LISTEN NOWFrom Sympathy to Empathy
Feeling empathy isn’t easy. To truly empathize with our loved ones, we must feel their pain as if it were our own. How can we embrace the discomfort to truly comfort another?
LISTEN NOW
THIS WEBSITE WAS CREATED IN LOVING MEMORY OF RITA KRAKOWER MARGOLIS
