R' Shmuel Diamond | The Rabbi Who Didn't Believe in G-d

R' Shmuel Diamond | The Rabbi Who Didn't Believe in G-d

June 13, 2026 · 1h 18m

About this episode

Rabbi Shmuel Diamond shares his dramatic transformation from a secular life to a religious one, detailing his journey and the impact of Rabbi Manis Friedman's teachings.

In this episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Nachi Gordon sits down with Rabbi Shmuel Diamond for an unforgettable conversation about one of the most dramatic transformations you'll ever hear. Rabbi Diamond grew up completely secular in North London, in a world where the very idea of God was treated as ridiculous, and didn't learn the Aleph Beis until he was 21. He takes us back through his years of searching, traveling through India, chasing photography, and sinking deeper and deeper into drugs, until he hit a point so low he knew something had to change. Then came the small, almost absurd moment in a Manchester shop that he still points to as the night his teshuva truly began. From there, the conversation follows his climb back, his move to Israel, and his journey to becoming religious. Rabbi Diamond shares how discovering Rabbi Manis Friedman's teachings on Tanya completely changed his approach to Yiddishkeit, taking him from a Yid who looked the part to someone who finally felt genuinely connected. He also shares the story behind his "Journey to a Blessed Life" course, which is helping thousands rebuild their relationship with themselves, with others, and with Hashem…

People in this episode

Host: Nachi Gordon

Guest: Rabbi Shmuel Diamond

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

PZ Deals, Colel Chabad

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rabbi Manis Friedman

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