Tag Archives: Kabbalah
God’s Name is One and So Are We
The Piaczezner Rebbe, zt”l, learns an important lesson about chassidus from a statement on today’s daf. “Why should we have to discuss this at length when the Mishnah in Kareisos 25 states explicitly that—according to Rabbi Eliezer—one can bring an … Continue reading
Light and the Lucid Crystal
When a ray of light strikes a crystal, it gives a new quality to the crystal. And when God’s infinitely disinterested love plays upon a human soul, the same kind of thing takes place. And that is the life called … Continue reading
Learning to Breathe
Breath, the inhale and exhale, marking life itself. From the first breath to the last, the constant inhale and exhale signifies vitality. Take a moment to experience it. Breathe deeply. Fill your lungs with the fresh, pure oxygen. This inhale … Continue reading
The Finger of God is Writing
Once, Rav Elchonon Wasserman explained the greatness of those who learn Torah which touched upon a famous statement of Rava: “How foolish are those who stand for a sefer Torah but not for people great in Torah!” Rav Elchonon related … Continue reading
The Mystic Mirror Darkly: Messianic Divinity Part 3
I’ve said numerous times before in other blog posts, that I’m becoming convinced that we cannot understand the teachings of the Jewish Messiah and his early disciples without some ability to look at those teachings through a Jewish mystical lens. … Continue reading
The Living Word of God: Messianic Divinity Part 2
According to this concept, God’s unknowable and divine will and wisdom (which are inseparable from His being) descended to be clothed in the corporal substance of commandments of Torah and ink in a book. This is not to say that … Continue reading
Exploring Messianic Divinity
Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? -Isaiah 66:1 Then the cloud covered the tent … Continue reading
Vayigash: Descent and Ascent
Judah approaches Joseph to plead for the release of Benjamin, offering himself as a slave to the Egyptian ruler in Benjamin’s stead. Upon witnessing his brothers’ loyalty to one another, Joseph reveals his identity to them. “I am Joseph,” he … Continue reading
Considering Replies
Hod is the counterpoint to Netzach. While Netzach strives to connect, Hod ensures that the power and energy in that striving is appropriate and acceptable. As we said earlier, it makes no sense to impress a student if the information … Continue reading
Out of Balance
In her book Kitchen Table Wisdom, Rachel Naomi Remen recalls the healing work she did with a Holocaust survivor, whose response to the enormity of the spiritual pain he lived with was to close off feelings toward people and to … Continue reading
