Was ein Rabbiner über Liebe, Ehe und Scheitern weiss | Zalmen Wishedski

Zalmen Wishedski is the rabbi of the Chabad community in Basel, a trained marriage counselor, and the father of six children. He supports people through life crises, advises couples from all over the world, and has been building a Jewish community from the ground up for years. In this conversation, we discuss what a rabbi actually does in everyday life—beyond theology and prayer. Zalmen Wishedski explains how he listens to people who come to him when they have nowhere else to turn, and why the most common marital problem he sees is shockingly simple: The husband doesn't listen. We talk about how to find the right partner in an Orthodox Jewish family, the role parents play in this, and what happens when a child wants to marry a non-Jew. We also discuss the 613 commandments in everyday life, faith without doubt, Jewish private schools in Switzerland, smartphones in Orthodox families, and how much of the secular world a devout Jew can tolerate. This conversation offers a personal glimpse into a world invisible to most – and does not replace professional religious or legal advice. Enjoy the episode! Would you like to contact Rabbi Wishedski personally or request a consultation? Write to him directly: [email protected] Guest suggestions for future Swisslectures podcasts are welcome in the comments or at [email protected] 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:14 How does one become a rabbi? Training & the 613 Commandments 00:06:08 The role of the rabbi – spiritual guide, teacher, community builder 00:07:48 A day in the life of Zalmen Wishedski 00:17:26 From rabbi to marriage counselor – how it happened 00:22:15 What is marriage consulting – and what isn't it? 00:25:16 The most common marital problems: "The husband doesn't listen" 00:38:37 Being a father as a rabbi – no one prepares you 00:41:17 Jewish school in Switzerland – costs, curriculum, priorities 00:48:53 How to find a partner in the Orthodox world? 00:52:16 What if a child wants to marry a non-Jew? 00:54:08 Faith without doubt – living the 613 commandments in everyday life 01:02:37 Contact with the secular world – bubble or bridge? 01:05:18 Smartphones, social media, and parenting in the digital world