At first glance, teshuvah seems straightforward: recognize mistakes, feel remorse, resolve to change. Yet when we examine the Rambam's Hilchos Teshuvah closely, fundamental questions emerge.

The Rambam only lists viduy as a formal obligation. What about the internal, emotional process of teshuvah? Is that a mitzvah?

Some argue that teshuvah is not a mitzvah at all, just the procedure we follow when we fail in our other obligations. On a deeper level, teshuvah cannot be a mitzvah because it expresses the essence of the soul that transcends all mitzvos.

This concept gives us profound insight into the true nature of teshuvah and explains why the Rambam chose to explore free choice specifically in the context of Hilchos Teshuvah. An authentic return to Hashem from the depths of our souls cannot be mandated, because it is intrinsic to who we are—an ultimate expression of our free choice.

Download the companion learning booklet to follow along with all sources.

https://www.batshevalearningcenter.com/product-page/can-teshuva-be-commanded

In this powerful finale to our "Finding Myself in Torah" series, we sit down with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt — journalist, Rebbetzin, and one of the most honest voices in contemporary Jewish discourse.

Avital takes us on her journey from feeling overwhelmed by serious Torah learning to becoming a woman who uses her platform to advocate for deeper spiritual engagement for Orthodox women. As both a community leader and community critic, she offers a unique perspective on the gaps between women's intellectual capacity and the limited spiritual offerings they often receive. We explore how she evolved from someone who advocated women’s engagement and influence in the frum community, to a community leader herself who lives the model of female Torah leadership she wrote about for so long. We dive into her insights on materialism in Orthodox communities and how lifestyle influence has overshadowed women's engagement with Torah.

This candid and refreshing conversation is an invitation to reimagine our relationship with Torah and the role Rebbetzins play in shaping their communities through Torah learning.

Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt is a journalist, Rebbetzin at Altneu Synagogue, and former features editor at the Forward. Her writing on Orthodox life has appeared in the New York Times, Tablet, and other publications. She lives in New York with her husband, Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt, and their children.

This concludes our "Finding Myself in Torah" series. Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery, learning, and growth.

https://traditiononline.org/materialism-and-the-rise-of-modern-orthodoxy/

https://forward.com/life/437687/haredi-women-talmud/

https://www.instagram.com/avitalrachel/?hl=en

https://x.com/avitalrachel?lang=en

What happens when personal growth tools from the world of psychology aren’t enough? And how do we hold space for all the parts of ourselves, mother, professional, learner, friend, without feeling torn apart?

In this episode, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Eda Schottenstein, a psychotherapist, ADHD coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Multi-Role Woman, to explore the powerful intersection between Torah, psychology, and real-life growth. Together, they delve into the limitations of therapeutic tools and where Torah steps in to provide the kind of direction, clarity, and inner alignment that can’t be found elsewhere.

Eda shares how her own journey into Torah learning began with a deep dive into self-awareness through psychology, and how understanding herself became the gateway to understanding Hashem and Torah on a deeper level. She talks about connecting to Torah not just intellectually, but personally, making it a source of meaning that speaks directly to the complexities of a modern, multifaceted life. Drawing from her clinical experience and spiritual growth, she reflects on how embracing fragmentation, rather than resisting it, can be a path to strength and authenticity.

This conversation is an invitation to think deeper about what truly heals us, what grounds us, and how women today can own all their roles without compromising their spiritual center. It’s a reminder that Torah isn’t just a set of ideas—it’s a framework that can hold all the pieces of who we are.

___

Eda Schottenstein is a psychotherapist, certified ADHD coach, and the founder and CEO of The Swess, a lifestyle clothing brand designed for clarity, movement, and confidence. She’s also the co-host of the top-rated podcast From the Inside Out, where deep, honest conversations drive personal transformation.

Through her platform Multi-Role Woman, Eda explores the intersection of lifestyle and mental health—bringing raw insight, intention, and empowerment to women navigating many roles. She’s also a proud wife and mother of four, living the very balance she helps others pursue.

Multirole Woman

Instagram

____

Resources:

soulwords.org - Rabbi Shais Taub's complete Shaar Bitachon series