mysticism – Study Torah Online: Live and Interactive Torah Learning with Rabbi Eliyahu Shear

Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Using God’s Names (Part 2) – Lesson 9 of Section 3

God created the world to function in a certain way. At the same time, He also wants us to interact with creation and with Him. He therefore gives us Names that we may use in order to bring Shefa (abundance and and a flow of blessing downwards) into this world and into ourselves. We use these Names when we pray using a Siddur and through doing so, the spiritual force behind these words (Names) causes changes to occur.

Tanya – Lesson 10 – Bringing the Intellect into the Emotions – Chapter 3 Part 3

The Alter Rebbe continues to share with us the ten soul powers of the Godly soul. The theme concerns the three Mothers who give birth to the seven Doubles.

Derech Hashem – Lesson 7 – Breaking Through Spiritual Barriers

In this lesson, we are continuing Part 3 of the Ramchal’s Derech Hashem. This section deals with the powers of the soul, Inspiration and more ethereal subjects. In Chapter 2, Paragraph 4, the Ramchal teaches us that G-d allows for some leeway in terms of breaking through spiritual barriers in order to connect with the world of the spirits. While boundaries exist, there are also openings that allow one access to these spiritual worlds and spiritual beings – for the purpose of growing and doing good in this world.

What is the Tanya?

If you’d like to join us as we work through the Tanya in our video Shiurim (and you can even take part by joining us live!), do see our Tanya channel on YouTube:

Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Lesson 6 (of Part 3) Making Use of Spiritual Beings

The Ramchal, in the second chapter of Part 3, discusses the issues of using Divine Names and Witchcraft. What are the spiritual and divine forces all about?

Tanya – Lesson 7 – The Garment That Surrounds the Soul – Chapter 2 Part 3

We conclude Chapter 2 of Tanya.

While all souls come from the same Source, their journey through the spiritual worlds until they enter their bodies is different for every person. When bringing a soul down into this world, the parents are able to assist the soul in this world by having pure thoughts at the time of intimacy. However, though they can assist the soul through the purity they have at the time of intimacy (and their following the laws of Family Purity), their thoughts do not change the nature of the soul they bring down.

Tanya Lesson 6 – All Souls Come From the Same Source – Chapter 2 Part 2

In our second lesson of Chapter 2 of the mystical Chassidic work of Tanya, the Alter Rebbe teaches us that all souls come from the same Source – the “Father’s Mind”.

How can it be that people are so different – some who are more intelligent than others, some who are more pious than others etc. when in fact ultimately all souls come from the very same Source?

Derech Hashem- The Way of God – Lesson 4 (of Part 3) – Deja Vu!

Our fourth lesson of the wonderful work of the Ramchal – Derech Hashem -concerns itself with deepening our understanding of the higher level Godly soul and how it is given the ability to interact in our lives. Though it is constantly attached to a higher source and though it may also seem like we don’t really feel it, there are moments in our lives when we get a glimpse that this soul is well, healthy and active in our lives. Just look – you’ll see it!

Derech Hashem – Ramchal – The Animal Soul

Welcome to a new series of Shiurim! We’ll be learning Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto’s famous Derech Hashem – Way of G-d. We’re going to take a leap into the third section – because it’s simply so exciting!

In our first Shiur, we’ll be learning about the basics of souls. The Ramchal had an amazing way of organising things. As anyone can see, he takes us from the most basic levels to the most advanced.

When it comes to souls, the most basic is the animal soul. Our first Shiur shares with us the lesson about a soul that is common to both animals and humans. Thereafter, the Ramchal will open our eyes further in future Shiurim as he will share with us the secrets behind the G-dly soul and just what it is capable of!

Please join me!

Tanya – Lesson 3 – The Tzaddik, Rasha and Beinoni Continued

In our third lesson, we continue to discuss the categories of souls of the Tzaddik, the Rasha and the Beinoni. We discuss more outside the text on the theme of the nature of souls. What does it take to be a Tzaddik? What do we mean when we say someone is a Rasha (and evil person)? And what do we make of the Beinoni – the middle average man?