Levi Shmotkin

The Rebbe would send patients to me. But I would also send patients to the Rebbe. I saw the psychological impact he had on people. Whether he specifically studied psychology—I don’t know. But he clearly had knowledge in human psychology. Perhaps he got it...

I shall thank G-d with all my heart, Guided by the counsel of the upright and the congregation. –Psalms 111:1 It was a long and winding journey from sitting at a small wooden desk, peering at thousands of relevant letters and interviews, to completing the...

What are the overarching themes in the Rebbe’s counseling? This question is larger than any one answer. Following are two ideas for consideration. 1: Outer Wholeness Conventional wisdom on emotional wellness directs us to turn inward—to pay heed to the di...

Dr. Reuven Feuerstein (1921–2014) was a globally acclaimed cognitive psychologist. Born into a Jewish family in Romania, he narrowly escaped the Nazis in his early twenties and eventually settled in Mandatory Palestine. There he observed immigrant childre...

An ancient Jewish proverb says, “A trouble shared is half consoled.”This adage is referenced by the Maharsha (Gittin 58a) and by Rabbi Yosef Caro (Maggid Meisharim, Parshat Mikeitz). Some find roots for it in the Midrash (Devarim Rabbah, Va’etchanan 2), w...

A technique sometimes found in the letters for releasing the tense thoughts and feelings around an issue is to envision how life can be okay alongside the struggle; to consider that even if the problem remains, it won’t necessarily be the end of the world...

“Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you become like him.” —Proverbs, 24:6 “If you wrestle with a filthy opponent you are bound to become dirty yourself.” —Tanya, Chapter 28 Rare is the person who hasn’t experienced the hurt of a loved...

We are our own worst critics. (“What a lazy bum you are!” “What a selfish person!” “You’re such a bad spouse/parent/child!”) In this chapter we’ll explore ways to soften the sting of such harsh self-critical thoughts. But first—a quick crash course in cri...

Everybody knows the experience of a bad mood. Sometimes it lasts only a few hours, and other times it lingers for weeks. Sometimes it’s triggered by an external reason, and other times it just shows up unprompted. We will explore some tools that can make ...