We all know too well life can get busy so often we're rushing around with to do lists

and day-to-day tasks, but every once in a while we have to

slow down to check in with ourselves, spiritually, physically and emotionally, and

that's exactly what we are about to do right now.

I sat down with Rabbi Steve Leader for a beautiful conversation

about life, loss, and the profound way in which the two intertwined.

As the senior rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles,

one of the largest synagogues in the world,

rabbi leader has witnessed the many ways death teaches us how to live and love more deeply

by showing us not only what is gone but also the beauty of what remains.

In both his sermons and his best-selling books,

Rabbi Leader shares messages and poses questions

that cause us to stop and consider the lives we're leading. He reminds us just how beautiful life is and

that in the end nothing matters but love.

Whenever I talk to Rabbi Leader, my soul feels so filled and it feels comforted. I hope yours

will too. No matter what religion you do or do not follow, I promise you will walk away

from this conversation feeling inspired to live a

truer life and to do so right now. I'm Hoda Kottby. Welcome to my podcast, Making Space. One of my favorite people on the planet is sitting across from me, not on the phone, not on

Zoom, face to face, and this is the way I like to sit with you, Rabbi Leader, because you have

eyes that are extremely understanding and also knowing.

And from the very first time I interviewed you, I sat across from you and before you even said

three words, I felt something so spiritual and

...