The Daily Wiz: Spreading Wisdom Across the Globe

“Stop existing and finally start living!” This memorable line is featured in the introduction to every video released on the new social media page that has taken Yeshiva University by storm. Almost everyone in YU has come across a video from The Daily Wiz, whether they discovered the channel through flyers around the campus, subscribe to the channel on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, TikTok or get them from The Daily Wiz’s WhatsApp group. The question still remains: just what is The Daily Wiz, and who started this movement?   

The Daily Wiz was created by Eli Jonah Karls (SSSB ‘22), a 20-year-old student from Montreal, Quebec. In an interview with The Commentator, Karls related how he admired social media for the ease of accessibility and “exponentially powerful influence that a video can have in a matter of seconds.” The power of social media propelled him to create his own platform. While his goal was simply to positively influence people through social media, Karls wasn't exactly sure how he would execute the process.  

During his first year studying in Jerusalem, Karls sought to find a way to make wisdom more accessible. Karls believed that wisdom is generally taught in an unrelatable way, leading people to conclude that it is not practical or relevant to their lives. And that is when The Daily Wiz was born. Through the reach of social media platforms, Karls spreads wisdom in a way that shows that it can be relatable today. 

Karls describes The Daily Wiz as “a thought-provoking daily series of wisdom that is relatable, impactful, and inspiring.” When asked how he decides what messages to spread in his videos, Karls answered, “I always search for wisdom that I can use to better my life. Whenever I speak to any successful professional, they always give over their knowledge and understanding of life, and I always write it down.” 

Karls named Rabbi Noach Weinberg, the founder of Aish HaTorah, Rabbi Moshe Lazerous, co-founder and rosh yeshiva of Derech Ohr Sameach, and Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler, the mashgiach of Ponevezh Yeshiva as people who are his lifelong inspirations. Karls said he will forever be a student of theirs as their teachings have left a lasting impact on him. “They didn’t just teach their wisdom,” said Karls, “They also lived it.” Lastly, but certainly not least, Karls named his father as his premier role model. “My father didn’t just teach me the right thing to do, he exemplified it.” The accumulation of advice over many years from various professionals, rebbeim, and his father is what makes up The Daily Wiz library.     

Karls acknowledges he hasn’t reached the tip of the iceberg of what there is to learn. “I’m not an expert, I might never be one, but I will always be a student of wisdom,” explained Karls. “My father always reminds me that if I want to be successful, I should heed the words of Gordie Howe: ‘You have two eyes and one mouth, keep two open and one closed. You never learn anything if you’re the one talking.’” 

While Karls works four hard hours every day to publicize his wisdom, he explained that putting out inspiring videos is only part of his mission. “The ultimate goal of The Daily Wiz is to transform social media platforms into an impactful and inspiring source of relatable wisdom that people can access at their fingertips, anywhere in the world and at any time they want,” he said. He hopes that more people will regularly post their own inspiring and life-changing thoughts. “I believe that wisdom can be found anywhere it is searched for, and in everyone,” Karls explained. “We are taught in Pirkei Avot: ‘Who is wise? He who listens to everyone.’ Social media is a powerful tool, and I want everyone to realize that they can have a huge impact on people through sharing ideas that they find encouraging.”    

Karls has been a source of inspiration to many people around the globe, and his influence is still growing. Since the release of his first video on Jan. 28, The Daily Wiz has amassed over 25,000 views across all its videos. The most popular channels are the Instagram and Facebook pages where each video averages 1,200 and 1,400 views respectively. His most popular video thus far was a Facebook post that received 3,500 views. However, according to Karls numbers aren’t everything. “When I reached my first milestone of 10,000 views, it was certainly exciting. However, I had to remind myself that whether it was 10,000 views or 10 views, each one is a soul, and to that there is no measure,” he mused.

Photo Caption: The Daily Wiz has recently reached 25,000 total views. 
Photo Credit: Eli Jonah Karls 

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to accurately reflect the inclusiveness of Karls’ “wisdom.”