Why Reward-Based Faith Backfires

Are we becoming addicted to a glorified version of the kindergarten star chart? Streaks, badges, likes, and "fake internet points"... we are living in a world of constant gamification. But what is this reward-based system doing to our souls? In this talk, Rabbi Shais Taub explores the "gamification of everything" and the spiritual danger of making reward our primary motivation. KEY THEMES IN THIS VIDEO: 👇 The Baal Shem Tov & The Forfeited Reward: A powerful story about what happens when "the reward is off the table." What is a Blessing? Understanding Bracha not as a gift, but as a "pipeline" for what is already meant to be. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic: Moving from "lollipop motivation" to the inherent value of a task. Schar Mitzvah, Mitzvah: Why the reward for a good deed is simply the opportunity to have done it. A Home for the Divine: Reframing our world not as a "waiting room" for the afterlife, but as a project with absolute, intrinsic value. #Judaism #SpiritualGrowth #IntrinsicMotivation #FaithAndMeaning #BaalShemTov 00:00:00 The Gamification of Everything 00:01:06 The Baal Shem Tov and the Ottoman Blessing 00:02:16 What is a Blessing? (Havraa) 00:03:54 Why Some Blessings are "Stuck in the Pipeline" 00:05:50 Serving God for Its Own Sake 00:07:07 The Teachings of Ethics of Our Fathers (Pirkei Avot) 00:08:29 Reward and Punishment in This World vs. the Next 00:09:09 Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivators 00:09:36 S'char Mitzvah Mitzvah: The Real Reward 00:11:39 Why Intrinsic Motivation is Worthwhile 00:13:08 Creation with a Purpose: A Home for God 00:14:32 Making the World a Home through Good Deeds 00:15:35 Absolute Existence and Absolute Value ---- *For more classes from Rabbi Shais Taub:* 🌐 *Website:* https://www.soulwords.org/ *Follow Rabbi Shais Taub:* 📸 *Instagram:* https://www.instagram.com/rabbi_shais_taub 🎥 *TikTok:* https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbi_shais_taub 🐦 *X (Twitter):* https://www.x.com/ShaisTaub 📘 *Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573478244968 💼 *LinkedIn:* https://www.linkedin.com/in/shais-taub-81a95466/ 🎧 *Listen to the SoulWords Podcast:* 🎵 *Spotify:* https://open.spotify.com/show/51E7XHWFDbZCGJQz7CoAZP 🍏 *Apple Podcasts:* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulwords-full-library/id1450892501 *Support Our Work:* 💳 *Donate:* https://www.soulwords.org/donate/ 💰 *PayPal:* https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/soulwordspayments 💵 *CashApp:* https://cash.app/$soulwords 🪙 *Venmo:* https://venmo.com/u/soulwords *About SoulWords:* SoulWords is a virtual community hosted by Rabbi Shais Taub, where people come together to explore the spiritual insights of Torah and discover their unique purpose. This platform is here to facilitate your spiritual growth by sharing the mystical teachings of Judaism in contemporary language—making deep wisdom accessible and relevant to your life.