Kosher Calm

Finding Calm
in a Kosher Way

Life is overwhelming

We all feel frazzled between constant notifications, endless to-do lists, and mounting pressure. While meditation offers proven benefits, most practices don’t align with Jewish law.

That’s where Kosher Meditation comes in.

Peace of mind, rooted in tradition.

What Makes This Different?

Stress relief that’s halachically safe

Backed by science

Designed to awaken your body’s natural healing ability.

Understanding the Science of Stress and Peace

The Stress-Relaxation Connection

Your body has two opposing systems: the stress response and the relaxation response. While the stress response prepares you for danger, triggering hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure, the relaxation response does the opposite. It’s your body’s natural healing mode.

The Rebbe’s Meditation Guidelines

The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Meditation Guidelines

The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Meditation Guidelines
The Lubavitcher Rebbe offered clear and practical guidance on the use of meditation—not as a spiritual discipline, but as a therapeutic tool for individuals facing specific challenges. His approach framed meditation as a temporary aid for managing stress-related difficulties, rather than a path toward mystical or spiritual transcendence.

Who Should Consider Meditation?

Meditation may be helpful for individuals experiencing:

  • Anxiety or stress related to business or financial concerns
  • Family conflict or interpersonal tension
  • Physical health challenges
  • Difficulty earning a livelihood
  • Emotional or psychological distress
  • Trouble focusing during prayer or Torah study
    The Rebbe did not recommend meditation for those already leading productive, balanced lives—individuals effectively managing their family, work, and community responsibilities. However, if someone personally felt that meditation would help them function better, he permitted it on an individual basis.

A Prescription-Based Approach

The Rebbe emphasized that meditation should be approached like a medical intervention: used intentionally, temporarily, and only as needed.

Time per Session: 15 to 20 minutes
This duration is generally sufficient to activate the body’s natural relaxation response. Too little may be ineffective; too much can be counterproductive. If this length causes discomfort, try shorter sessions. If discomfort persists, pause the practice.

Frequency: Twice daily
Ideally, once in the morning and once later in the day—preferably before meals. Allow about 8–10 hours between sessions.

Duration of Use: Temporary
Meditation should be practiced only as long as the symptoms persist. Once resolved, the regular practice should be discontinued. If symptoms return, meditation can be resumed until relief is again achieved.

Safety:
If meditation creates discomfort or emotional unease, stop and reassess before continuing.

What’s Omitted in Kosher Meditation
To maintain a halachically safe and religiously appropriate framework, kosher meditation excludes:

  • Initiation rituals
  • Bowing or kneeling
  • Bells, chimes, or gongs
  • Incense or candles
  • Foreign symbols, gestures, deities, or imagery

Practical Guidelines for Kosher Meditation

Kosher meditation uses the silent repetition of a chosen focus word to help trigger the body’s natural relaxation response.

  • Purpose: The goal is deep relaxation. Inner peace may naturally follow, potentially enhancing one’s religious life—but spiritual experience is not the aim. 
  • Handling Thoughts: Thoughts are not interruptions. When you realize your attention has wandered, gently return to your focus word. 
  • Mindset: Perfection is not the goal. Relaxation is the result—not a prerequisite.

about us

Meet the Author

Rabbi Aryeh Siegel’s five-decade exploration of meditation benefits from his academic background in research and his spiritual path. A former senior executive in the Transcendental Meditation (TM) organization, he left in 1980 over concerns about its Hindu religious elements being marketed as a secular practice.

The turning point in Rabbi Siegel’s journey came when he learned of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson’s revolutionary vision: meditation could align with Jewish law and be therapeutically potent. The Rebbe’s insight inspired Siegel to explore meditation techniques harmonizing with Jewish law while preserving their stress-reduction benefits.

Today, Rabbi Siegel, author of “Transcendental Deception” and a federal court expert witness on TM in public schools, continues to teach and write about meditation’s role in health and healing through a Jewish lens. His work reflects the Rebbe’s wisdom that meditation can serve both body and soul without compromising religious principles. 

A Different Path to Peace

Kosher Meditation serves as your spiritual GPS, offering a way to find tranquility. We provide Jewish-aligned techniques for finding your center without compromising on halacha. 

Also available in all Jewish bookstores and online book-sellers.

Chronic stress contributes to numerous health issues

Cardiovascular disease
Weakened immune system
Anxiety and depression
Digestive problems
Sleep disorders

The good news? The relaxation response acts as your body's built-in stress antidote

Research shows that meditation consistently triggers this response, leading to:

Lower blood pressure

Lower blood pressure

Better sleep

Better sleep

Improved immune function

Improved immune function

Reduced anxiety

Reduced anxiety

Enhanced emotional regulation

Enhanced emotional regulation

Testimonials

Results We Have Achieved Together​

Kosher Calm is not only very well written—it’s incredibly eye-opening. While its primary focus is on teaching a kosher form of meditation, the chapters on mindfulness, yoga, and especially Hindu-based meditations like Transcendental Meditation stood out most to me.

Moshe Dov Flowstein

Customers

Kosher Calm seamlessly merges meditation with science while maintaining deep respect for Jewish tradition. For our ZAKA volunteers, who confront trauma almost daily, we needed a meditation program that understood them and honored their values. Kosher Calm delivers exactly that.

Dr. Vered Atzmon Mushulam

Head of ZAKA's Resilience Division

I thought this book was extremely informative while written in an easy going style. I had no idea this type of therapeutic meditation was available in Judaism. This is a “how to” book that delivers. The animation was very helpful and I have watched it several times. I also appreciated the review of non- kosher practices.

Ally

Customers

Reb Aryeh Siegel has answered the Rebbe's call and created a profound book to alleviate stress. The Rebbe asked medical professionals to develop effective kosher meditation practices. This book embodies that vision.

Rabbi DovBer Pinson

Rosh Kollel of IYYUN

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up Kosher Calm, but it turned out to be one of the most useful books I’ve read in quite a while. What impressed me most is that it’s not mystical or over the top—just solid, practical advice rooted in Jewish traditions for managing stress effectively.

Jeff

Customers

In an era of extreme anxiety and global upheaval, Kosher Calm provides essential resources for finding peace while remaining true to tradition.

Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson

Author of The Positivity Bias

I always had the impression that intention determined if yoga was a religious practice or not. Aryeh Siegel opened my eyes to the fact that actions alone matter. Most yoga instructors are, in fact, leading a devotional practice to Hindu gods.

Sallie

Customers

Rabbi Siegel speaks with authority from decades of experience in both Hindu Transcendental Meditation and orthodox Judaism. Kosher Calm presents meditation practices accessible to practitioners of any faith.

Professor Candy Gunther Brown

Religious Studies, Indiana University

Very grateful this book was recommended to me. It’s helped me begin the practice of meditation I had been wanting to try for so long and although I just started, I can already feel positive shifts in how I feel.

ashes

Customers

As a Rabbi who has seen thousands of Jewish travelers seeking spirituality in India, I strongly recommend Kosher Calm. It offers an effective technique for managing stress without religious conflicts.

Rabbi Dror Shaul

Emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Dharamsala, India

Rabbi Siegel presents evidence-based stress management tools that align with Jewish law and tradition, skillfully combining the Lubavitcher Rebbe's wisdom with contemporary research.

Dr. Miriam Grossman

Board-Certified Psychiatrist

“I’d given up on meditation until I found this.”

Dovid

father of 4, Lakewood, NJ

“Finally, a technique I can use without worrying about avodah zarah.”

Chana

seminary teacher, Jerusalem

FAQ Question

Frequently Asked Questions for New Meditators

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Remember: Just as you wouldn't expect to run a marathon without training, meditation takes practice. Start small, be consistent, and the benefits will come naturally.

Non-Kosher Practices

Yoga

Yoga is widely viewed as a beneficial form of exercise that supports strength, flexibility, and mental well-being. It has become...

Video Resources

Kosher Breathing Method

Introduction to Chedvah (joy) breathing with Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe on Kosher Meditation

Explore the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s insights on finding inner peace and building resilience.

Gentle Movements for Body and Soul