# Judaism 101: Pleasures and Passions Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-shmuz-1072930/judaism-101-pleasures-and-passions Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-shmuz-1072930/judaism-101-pleasures-and-passions.md Podcast: [The Shmuz](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-shmuz-1072930) Published: 2026-07-05T20:39:00+00:00 Episode link: https://jewishpodcasts.fm/theshmuz/117986 Audio file: https://records.jewishpodcasts.fm/protected/1037/1779655209966.mp3?show_id=313&episode_id=117986 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-shmuz-1072930/episodes/judaism-101-pleasures-and-passions Duration seconds: 2667 ## Resource Why did Hashem create human beings with desires, struggles, and limitations instead of giving us the instincts and abilities of animals? In this fascinating class, Rabbi Shafier explores the difference between pleasure and purpose, revealing how many of life’s frustrations are actually part of a deeper design for growth and fulfillment. Blending Torah insight with memorable examples and sharp observations about modern life, this lecture offers a powerful perspective on happiness, self-control, and what it truly means to live according to your purpose.   This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-shmuz-1072930/episodes/judaism-101-pleasures-and-passions/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-shmuz-1072930/judaism-101-pleasures-and-passions.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.