Episode 6 - Eyes Wide Open

The passing of Reb Itamar Schwartz, the author of Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh (Building a Sanctuary in the Heart), is a profound loss to the world of Torah and to those whose lives were transformed by his teachings.In this very personal episode of Aviously, I reflect on a rebbe whose sefarim and teachings profoundly influenced my spiritual journey and changed the way I understand my relationship with Hashem.Bilvavi taught us that closeness to Hashem isn't reserved for extraordinary people. It's something every one of us can build, step by step, within our own hearts. That spirituality isn't simply about knowing more, but about feeling, connecting, and living with a genuine awareness of Hashem's presence.I share what made his approach so powerful, what his teachings have meant to me personally, and why his message of simplicity, inner work, and genuine connection to the Creator is so important for our generation.More than a tribute, this episode is an invitation to carry his teachings forward and continue the work of building a sanctuary within our own hearts.

What if believing in God is only the beginning? What if our real purpose is to reveal His presence in the world around us?In this episode of Aviously, we explore the difference between simply believing in Hashem and actively revealing godliness through the way we live.What does it mean to reveal Elokus? How do we move beyond knowing that God exists to actually experiencing His presence in our everyday lives? And how can our actions, relationships, challenges, and interactions with others become opportunities to bring more godliness into the world?We explore the idea that spirituality isn't just about what we believe, how much we learn, or how religious we appear. It's about how much of Hashem's presence we allow to shine through us.Perhaps our greatest responsibility isn't simply to find God, but to help reveal the godliness that's already all around us.Just a regular guy trying to figure it all out.

Why am I doing this? Who is this for? In this episode Avi introduces himself, some struggles and why he has set out to start Aviously

What if embarrassment isn't something we need to run away from, but something we can actually grow from?In this episode of Aviously, we explore the deeper meaning of Busha (embarrassment), the value of humility, and how even our most uncomfortable moments can bring us closer to Hashem.We talk about finding strength when life gets difficult, overcoming feelings of loneliness, and learning to recognize God's presence even when we feel completely alone.Ultimately, it's about understanding why we're here: not simply to serve ourselves, but to use our experiences, struggles, and blessings to give more to others.A conversation about vulnerability, resilience, faith, and becoming a little better along the way.

We look back at our forefathers and wonder how the Jewish people could witness such extraordinary miracles, only to turn around and sin shortly afterward. But are we really any different? Every day, we’re surrounded by miracles, moments of Divine revelation, and opportunities to connect with Hashem—yet so often, our eyes remain shut. In this episode, we explore what it means to recognize the extraordinary hiding in the ordinary, and what happens when we finally open our eyes.

How bad is our ego problem? And what if the greatest measuring stick of our ego isn't how much we have, but how much Simcha we actually experience?We say we believe Hashem is in complete control. So why are we constantly anxious, comparing, competing, buying, upgrading, and chasing the next thing?In this episode of Aviously, I explore an uncomfortable possibility: maybe our ego is taking up so much space that our Neshama can barely breathe.What if the ultimate flex isn't having more, but needing less? What if true wealth isn't measured by what we accumulate, but by how much room we make for Hashem?Maybe the path to genuine Simcha isn't adding something else to our lives. Maybe it's finally replacing our love of "things" for the love of "Him". 

The post Yom Tov hangover is inevitable. From first hand experience, the kabalos we have taken on and the effort we will put in shouldn't go unnoticed or minimized. How do we best prepare for the ups and downs? Maybe it's about knowing we will fall but falling more gently. 

Last episode we discussed, Ayeka, where are you? This episode we dig into "who we are", and begin the dialogue on how we judge ourselves and our circumstances.

Where are we? For real. Are we where our bodies are? Our minds? Our consciousness? Learning for the Adam and Chava experience, how do we show up with presence and calm?