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The Arizal – Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534-1572) shares advice for all of us – even those who are not yet on the path of immersing ourselves in the deepest mysteries of creation.
Continue reading “Advice From the Teachings of the Arizal – Pray with Happiness”
Do you know who the rabbi in the picture is? Many won’t recognise him by face! He lived from 1829-1903 and was a progressive and reform rabbi in America. With all this, most would be surprised to find out just how many outstanding Talmudic scholars of today have gained something from this man…
Continue reading “Sefaria.org Adds Two Amazing Dictionaries to Their Library”
Those who know me know how much I love books. There’s something soul-like in every book one reads. Of course, reading a book is also getting a glimpse into the soul of the author. One has the opportunity to gain in just one book – what might have taken the author tens of years to acquire. It is an incredible experience to consider that someone else has put years into achieving a goal which can now be gained by someone else in a few hours.
Continue reading “Siyum Yeshivas Iyun Halachah – and a Great Lesson in Humilty”
Kabbalah and Consciousness is a wonderful book sharing the beauty of Kabbalah in poetic form. That doesn’t mean it is a book of poems – though the author’s poem “Desire for White” is published in it. Rather, the way in which the author shares with us the mysticism behind Kabbalah is done through a poetic approach.
Continue reading “Kabbalah and Consciousness – Allen Afterman – Book Review”
Jewish Meditation by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan must be one of my favourite books. Though published posthumously, the book was Rabbi Kaplan’s last work to be written, having written his introduction to it just over a month before he left this world.
I still remember reading this book so many years back and then being told that here was another of Rabbi Kaplan’s books being published after he had died. I remember certain people I had been in touch with discussing the issue of whether he had written the book after all – or if perhaps someone else had written it and ascribed his name to it. I asked a well-trusted rabbi of mine about the book and remember his answer well, “I don’t believe anyone else could have written it except for Rabbi Kaplan” he said. Indeed, that is the truth. It would be hard to find someone else with such sensitivity and knowledge to be able to describe the things he does in this wonderful work.
Continue reading “Jewish Meditation – A Practical Guide – Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan – Book Review”
In this week’s Parshah – Parshat Chayei Sarah – we learn about the children born to Avraham through his wife Keturah. There is something interesting regarding the names of the children and grandchildren and how if one pays attention, one can see a connection between those names and Hinduism today. There is much to learn, and Reb Gutman Locks teaches us some valuable messages of Hinduism to the Jewish people. See video below.
Continue reading “Hinduism’s Message to the Jewish People – Rabbi Gutman Locks”
With the tragedy of the murder of 11 Jews in their shul known as “Eitz Chaim” in Pittsburgh, it is worth reminding ourselves of where we all come from. In this beautiful letter written by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe explains to us why it is that we need to be able to care for each other – no matter how different we appear to be. See letter below:
Continue reading “We are All the Descendants of One Man – A Letter From the Lubavitcher Rebbe”
Rabbi Daniel Frish – known as the Matok Midvash – named as such for the complete commentary on the Zohar which he wrote – received many letters asking for help on various matters. He was notably asked for assistance in matters pertaining to the study of Kabbalah for which, of course, he was an expert!
In our blog post today, I have translated one particular letter which I found most fascinating. In the letter, Rabbi Daniel Frish outlines an approach to take in learning Kabbalah which really takes the new pupil of the study of Jewish mysticism from the most basic things onwards. Although he will tell us the path, one must still be learned in Torah in general and must have a basic mastery of the Hebrew language, as the books which he tells us to learn are of course the original books as written in Hebrew. I find the letter a must for all students wanting to know how to direct their studies in Kabbalah to make sure they are on an appropriate, safe, and correct path…
“Meditation and The Bible” is another of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan’s masterpieces explaining the world of Kabbalah, meditation and the Torah itself. For those interested, there are 3 main primers that I always recommend when it comes to getting a great intro into the world of Jewish mysticism…
Continue reading “Meditation and the Bible by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan – Book Review”
