Do you really have free will, or are you just following the path laid out for you? Many people feel trapped by their habits, their struggles, and the world around them, believing that real change is impossible. But Chazal teach us a profound truth: the Yetzer Hara is an illusion. It appears like an overwhelming force, but when you examine it closely, you realize—it has no legs to stand on.

In this episode, Rabbi Klapper unpacks the deceptiveness of the Yetzer Hara, showing how recognizing its tricks is the first step to overcoming it. Using deep Torah insights—from Yaakov’s battle with the Sar shel Esav to the Gemara’s depiction of the Yetzer Hara as both a mountain and a hair—he builds a step-by-step approach to reclaiming control over your life. How can small, intentional choices reshape your reality? What does it mean to actively shift your focus rather than fight forbidden thoughts head-on? And most importantly, how can you set yourself on a path where you encounter fewer tests to begin with?

This episode is a guide to practical strategies for mastering your choices, overcoming challenges, and building the life you truly want—one step at a time.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!