Kabbalah and Consciousness – Allen Afterman – Book Review

Kabbalah and Consciousness Allen Afterman

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.

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Jewish Meditation – A Practical Guide – Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan – Book Review

Jewish Meditation Aryeh Kaplan

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.

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Approach to Take in Studying Kabbalah – A Letter from Rabbi Daniel Frish the Matok Midvash

Otzrot Chaim Lessons

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…

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Meditation and the Bible by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan – Book Review

Meditation and the Bible by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

“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…

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Abir Yaakov – Stories About the Lives of the Abuchatzeira Family – Book Review

Abir Yaakov

The name “Abuchatzeira” is a well-known name in the Jewish world. One of the first things that come to the mind of anyone who has heard this name is the word “miracles”! Another word is “Kabbalah”. They are known for both… The story of the Abuchtazeira family goes back in time to the late 1500’s, the early 1600’s…

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Meditation and Kabbalah by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan – Book Review

Meditation and Kabbalah

In today’s times, the world of Jewish mysticism – Kabbalah – has opened up in abundance. There’s almost a craze around the world and a thirst to know more about Jewish mysticism. What is it exactly? What is its history? Who are some of the main writers and which are the core books that one should begin one’s learning with?

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Shaarei Kedushah – Gates of Holiness by Rabbi Chaim Vital – Introduction

Mystical - Gates of Holiness

It gives me great pleasure to present this first Shiur in the well-known work Shaarei Kedushah by Rabbi Chaim Vital! Please join me for the journey as we embark with our start – the introduction.

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Do You Believe in Reincarnation? Perhaps O’ Neal Will Convince You…

Reincarnation

Many are surprised to find out that Judaism well believes in reincarnation. Perhaps, Judaism may well have been the original source to even speak about it.

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22 Wonderful Apps for Every Jewish Phone

Apps

If you own a smartphone, you’ll want to put some Jewish apps onto it. Below, I have listed some apps which I hope you will find useful. Some of these apps will allow you to study Torah on-the-go and having used them myself, I can really say that they are outstanding.

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Yeshivat Shaar HaShamayim – a Genuine Kabbalistic Yeshivah in the Centre of Jerusalem

Yeshivat Shaar HaShamayim - for the study of Kabbalah
Yeshivat Shaar HaShamayim – for the study of Kabbalah

GATEWAY TO HEAVEN

Introduction

In the heart of the holy city of Jerusalem, there sits an elderly Torah Sage teaching Kabbalah – the mystical texts and understanding of the Torah – to a large group of Torah scholars. The name of this great Sage, beloved and respected worldwide by all segments of the Torah community, is Rabbi Yechiel Fischel Eizenbach shlitah, the Rosh HaYeshivah (Dean) of the renowned Torah academy Sha’ar HaShamaim.

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