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What is Mussar? And why are so many people being drawn to it today?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, I sit down with Alan Morinis, one of the leading voices in the modern revival of Mussar, to explore a powerful and deeply practical stream of Jewish spiritual practice focused on the inner life.

For some, Mussar is already a meaningful part of their spiritual journey. For others, it’s a completely new concept. But at its core, Mussar is about something universal: becoming more intentional about who we are and who we’re becoming.

Together, we explore:

What Mussar is and where it comes from
Why interest in Mussar is growing today
The role of middot (character traits) in shaping the soul
How to actually practice Mussar in everyday life
And how Shabbat plays a surprising and powerful role in spiritual formation

We also dive into Alan’s newest book, The Shabbat Effect, and explore how sacred time—especially the practice of Shabbat—can serve as a vehicle for refining the soul and cultivating traits such as awareness, silence, and trust.

Whether you’re new to Mussar or already exploring it, this conversation offers a thoughtful and accessible entry point into a tradition that is transforming lives.

The Mussar Institute - https://www.mussarinstitute.org/

Alan's book, Everyday Holiness - https://a.co/d/0d0jamtf

Alan's newest book, The Shabbat Effect - https://a.co/d/08DjYxPB

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

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Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

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What does it really look like for Christians to stand with Israel and the Jewish people—and to do so in a way that is biblically grounded and relationally meaningful?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, we sit down with Shelley Neese to explore how Scripture—especially the biblical prophets—can shape how Christians think about Israel, the Jewish people, and walking faithfully today.

Shelley serves as the coordinator for American Christian Leaders for Israel and leads The Jerusalem Connection, where she helps Christians engage these questions thoughtfully and responsibly. She is also the author of Bible Fiber, an accessible and deeply insightful guide to the Minor Prophets (the Trei Asar, or “Twelve”).

In our conversation, we discuss:

Why many Christians feel drawn to support Israel—but aren’t always sure how
The role of Christian leaders and organizations in shaping that engagement
Common misunderstandings Christians have about Israel and the Jewish people
Why the prophets are often misread—and what they were actually doing in their own time
How the message of the prophets remains deeply relevant today
Practical ways anyone can begin building meaningful relationships with the Jewish people

If you’ve ever wondered how your understanding of the Bible connects to real-world relationships between Jews and Christians, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Shelley's website - https://shelleyneese.com/

Shelley's book, Bible Fiber - https://a.co/d/0ciQt26R

The Jerusalem Connection - https://thejerusalemconnection.us/

American Christian Leaders for Israel - https://aclforisrael.com/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

Do Jews have to be “out” for Christians to be “in”?

It’s a question that sits at the heart of how many people have understood the Apostle Paul—and it has shaped centuries of Christian attitudes toward Jews and Judaism.

In this episode, we take a fresh look at Romans, focusing on Paul’s olive tree imagery in chapter 11.

Did Paul really believe that Jews who do not believe in Jesus were removed from God’s covenants?
Or is that a reading shaped more by later theological assumptions than by Paul himself?

Walking carefully through the text, this episode explores:

What Paul actually says in Romans 11:17–24
The meaning of the Greek phrase en autois (“among them”)
Why “broken” may not mean “broken off” (ekklaō)
The difference between ekklaō and ekkopto
Paul’s warning to Gentile believers against arrogance
Why Paul’s olive tree is not a zero-sum story

Along the way, we challenge a deeply ingrained assumption that, for Paul, Jewish belonging to God’s covenant depends on belief in Jesus in the same way it does for non-Jews.

Instead, a different picture emerges—one in which:

Jews remain connected to God’s covenantal promises
Gentile believers are grafted in among them, not in their place
And both are sustained by the same root

This is not replacement theology.
And it’s not dual-covenant theology.

It’s a reexamination of Paul’s own words—on their own terms.

This episode draws from Olive Tree Affirmation #7—part of a larger framework designed to help Christians articulate a faithful, biblical relationship with the Jewish people without falling into antisemitism or replacement theology.

Learn more about the Olive Tree Campaign and the Olive Tree Affirmations at www.bridgebuildersforum.com/olivetree

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum