How Our Greatest Fear Becomes Our Greatest Gift (with Rabbi Steve Leder)
Jul 22, 2021
auto_awesome
Rabbi Steve Leder joins Erin and Sara Foster for a conversation about work/life balance, how death teaches us to live meaningful lives, parenting, and recognizing the beauty of what remains after experiencing loss.
Loss teaches us the importance of seeking support during difficult times.
Parenting should focus on nurturing a child's unique strengths and abilities.
Leading a meaningful life involves valuing relationships and personal growth over societal expectations.
Deep dives
Loss and the Beauty of What Remains
The common denominator in Rabbi Leader's work is loss in various forms: the loss of life, the loss of a marriage, the loss of a dream. Loss forces us to recognize that we are not in control and that our lives are subject to larger forces. It also teaches us the importance of reaching out for support during difficult times. The good friends will be there for us, while others may disappoint. When suffering, it is important to remember that those who matter won't mind, and those who mind don't matter.
Honoring a Child's Blueprint
Rabbi Leader emphasizes the importance of honoring a child's blueprint, their unique strengths and abilities, rather than trying to make them like us or fit into societal expectations. Lean into what God made a child good at and support their proclivities. Recognize that they don't have to be great at everything, and that a successful life is about utilizing and nurturing their unique abilities while finding creative ways to compensate for other aspects.
The Value of Time and Meaningful Lives
Rabbi Leader highlights the sacredness of time and the importance of leading meaningful lives. The pandemic has taught us that a busy life does not necessarily equate to a meaningful life. Slowing down, focusing on what truly matters, and finding the balance between the different roles we play can help us lead more beautiful and rewarding lives. It's about leaning into what brings us joy, valuing relationships and personal growth, and not chasing after societal expectations of success.
The Power of Reaching Out and Helping Others
Rabbi Leader emphasizes the importance of reaching out to others during times of suffering. Loss and pain can make us feel alone and abandoned, but by reaching out, we allow others to provide support and comfort. Good friends will be there for us, even when we don't ask for help, while others may disappoint. The act of reaching out not only helps us through our own struggles, but also creates deeper connections and strengthens relationships.
The Importance of Humility in Life and Death
The podcast episode explores the concept of humility and its significance in both life and death. The speaker discusses how humility can be a transformative experience, leading to positive changes in relationships and personal growth. They reference the story of Job from the Bible, highlighting the message of humility and recognizing that individuals are not the epicenter of existence. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that bad things can happen to good people and the need to navigate life with a sense of humility and understanding that we don't have complete control over our lives.
Cosmic Justice vs. Earthly Justice
The podcast delves into the difference between cosmic justice and earthly justice. Drawing examples from the Book of Job, the speaker explains that cosmic justice refers to a bigger picture that humans cannot fully comprehend, while earthly justice pertains to the realities of life. The speaker suggests that people face death and mortality the same way they face life, and that experiences of joy and suffering are often magnified during the dying process. They discuss the complexity of relationships and highlight that death does not automatically bring reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of accepting the truth of individual dynamics and understanding that it is okay not to repair toxic relationships before death.
Rabbi Steve Leder is the Senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple and the author of "The Beauty of What Remains." He joins Erin and Sara for a conversation about work/life balance, how death teaches us to live more meaningful lives, parenting, and more.
Executive Producers: Erin Foster, Sara Foster, and Allison Bresnick
