Way 36: The Danger of Seeking Applause and External Validation [Jewish Inspiration]

In episode thirty-six of the 48 Ways series during the Omer, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe teaches U’mitrachek Min HaKavod — “run away from honor” or distancing oneself from seeking recognition and glory. While honor and respect are natural human needs, obsessively pursuing them harms spiritual growth, blocks genuine accomplishment, and leads to emptiness. True greatness comes from doing what is right regardless of applause or criticism.

Rabbi Wolbe stresses respecting others deeply: a husband must honor his wife more than himself; a teacher must honor students as himself; and we must protect the dignity of family and community. He shares personal examples, including his father’s blunt honesty and his own rabbi’s fierce defense of students. Seeking external validation keeps us from authentic living — focus instead on fulfilling your mission for Hashem. Run after honor and it flees; flee honor and it pursues you. Know your priorities, maintain self-dignity without showmanship, and let actions speak louder than titles or recognition.
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Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on June 14,  2022, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on February 13, 2023

The 49 days we count between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot are an exciting time for powerful and impactful change. The Mishna (Avot 6:6) teaches us 48 masterful tools and ways to maximize life and get the most out of each day.
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Share your questions at [email protected] or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: [email protected]

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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Omer, #Count, #48Ways, #SpiritualGrowth, #TorahWisdom, #PirkeiAvot, #WisdomDaily

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