Rabbi Mordecai Finley On Ancient Wisdom, Virtue & Mysticism | Rich Roll Podcast

The only rabbi with a ju-jitsu blackbelt, Rabbi Mordecai Finley holds a doctorate in Religion and Social Ethics from USC, is the co-founder of Ohr HaTorah Synagogue in Los Angeles and has taught at USC, USC School of Law and Loyola Law School. This is a conversation about wisdom, mysticism, moral philosophy, spiritual psychology, stoicism and what it means to pursue a life of truth, virtue & purpose. Read more & visit the show notes👉🏾 ✌🏼🌱 - Rich LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Google: Meal Planner: Voicing Change Book: Clips Channel: Newsletter: CONNECT WITH RICH ✩ Website - ​ ✩ Rich Roll Podcast - ✩ Instagram - ✩ Twitter - ✩ Facebook - ✩ Strava - ✩ Memoir: Finding Ultra - ✩ Meals - ​ ✩ Cook - The Plantpower Way - ✩ Italian! - The Plantpower Way: Italia - ✩ Support - FILMED AND EDITED BY BLAKE CURTIS 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:09 - Facing Your Yetzer Horah 00:08:06 - Defining the Ego Self and the Higher Self 00:17:54 - Creating Depth 00:26:44 - The Core Concept of Rabbi Finley's Work 00:28:33 - Voicing Change 00:29:32 - Growing Up in Compton, Wanting to Learn the Human Condition 00:34:17 - Rebuilding the Ego in the Marine Corps 00:40:31 - Developing an Appreciation for the Spiritual Life & Mysticism 00:51:32 - What's the Difference Between Religion and the Spiritual Path 00:54:41 - Logos: The Deep Fundamental Order to the Universe 01:00:32 - The Wisdom Practice 01:06:24 - The Virtual Practice 01:14:08 - Rabbi Finley's Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu 01:20:15 - Tactics for Deescalation 01:33:14 - Working with Alcoholics & Addicts 01:41:52 - Kabbalah: Understanding the Mind of God & Human Consciousness 01:53:59 - Lurianic Kabbalah: We are Articulations of the Shattered Mind of God 01:58:55 - Being Leonard Cohen's Rabbi 02:06:04 - We Are Spiritual Beings Having a Human Experience 02:10:21 - Closing Remarks * * * * * NEW TO RICH? Hi I'm Rich Roll. I'm a vegan ultra-endurance athlete, author, podcaster, public speaker & wellness evangelist. But mainly I'm a dad of four. If you want to know more, visit my website or check out these two the NY Times articles: I LOVE MAIL! SEND IT HERE: 29617 Agoura Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 #richroll #richrollpodcast