Elul — A Month of Mercy and Forgiveness

Elul is called the "Month of Mercy" and "Month of Forgiveness" (Hodesh haRahamin vehaSelihot). It is a time for teshuvah(return) to God, to renew one's efforts in prayer, Torah study and charity, and to seek forgiveness for transgression, especially against one's fellows.

It is the belief in Jewish tradition that God does not forgive sins committed against another person unless one first endeavors to be reconciled with those wronged. During Elul, the last month before the Days of Awe, we become mindful of the great sin of the Golden Calf, enter into a spiritual and practical cleansing which will culminate with Yom Kippur.

Lulei – "Had I not trusted!..."

There is a further allusion to Elul found in Psalm 27

"Had I not trusted that I would see the goodness of God in the land of life…" (v. 13).

The Jewish scribal tradition has accentuated the word lulei (Had I not) by placing dots over the...

We are living in amazing times where the future is essentially now. We are privy to incredible advancements that our grandparents could only dreamed of. While we are moving towards a more digital world, there are great dangers of our minds becoming increasingly distracted and desensitized. In this class we delve into the pros and cons of our digital era as well as provide tips on how to maintain spiritual focus and stability by minimizing and selectively choosing our digital practices.

The Future is now
The Zohar speaks about the flood of Noah which saw a downpour of water from above, as well as the “lower waters", which emanated from the abyss and underground wells. The Zohar says “in the 6th Millennium waters from on high and water from below will flood existence”. The 6th millennium corresponds to the 17 Century, which saw the advancements of the Industrial Revolution, the greatest advancement that the world has seen. The 17th Century was also a time of...

Kabbalah explains that the era of redemption is a feminine era!

In this class we will delve into the unique feminine qualities of this period through the lens of the biblical figure "Miriam: The Mother of Redemption".

We will delve into the 3 meanings of her name, how each are intertwined in the soul print she left on the world, and how it relates to us in the amazing times that we are living in.

The class will explore the  significance of the well of Miriam and how the well which is located in Israel's  Sea of Galilee is still nurturing us and providing us with spiritual nourishment.

The Zohar says that "in the merit of righteous women we were redeemed from Egypt and in the merit of righteous women we will be redeemed from this exile".

We will learn more how to access the unique feminine spiritual energy, as well as the feminine role in bringing the redemption and world peace.

Miriam the Prophetess

It is said that when a baby is born the parents are endowed a level...

Watch Live Kabbalah being interviewed by I24 News about the inner significance of Tzfat.

I24 News feature on Safed and the Ari, Rabbi Isaac Luria on the Spanish channel.

The number 3 represents the connection between 2 realms. In Aristotelian Philosophy 1 is a dot 2 is a line and 3 is a surface. In Kabbalah the number 3 is the connection between heaven and earth and is associated with balance.

The Temple (Beit Hamikdash) is G-d’s headquarters of his dwelling within this world. The destruction of the Temple is called “the exile of the Shechina (Divine presence). There were 2 Temples thus far, and we are anticipating the Third Temple as the eternal Temple which will never be destroyed again. What is the inner difference between all 3 Temples.

The First Temple was built by King Solomon, the son of King David. Solomon means Shlomo which has the letters Shalom- peace bc there was peace in his days. The incredible structure was Divinely inspired. The First Temple lasted for 410 years and was destroyed by the Babylonians. 

The Second Temple was built 70 years after the destruction of the First Temple by Ezra and Nechemia and was...

What is redemption?

We have all heard about redemption and intuitively seek and yearn for it. We know that the world and creation is destined for something far greater than what we are seeing and the conscious state of mind which we are in. The Rambam (Maimonides) devotes the last 2 chapters of his monumental books to redemption and what the world will look like.

So what is redemption really?

Turing On The Light

The creation of the world is likened to a house, a dwelling place. Just as we feel at home in our own homes, so too G-d yearns to feel “at home” in this world. We help make that dwelling place for the Divine in this world. The Midrash says that “G-d desired to dwell within this world”.

In addition, just as there are various types of homes, such as a large, small, with a view etc. A common need for all homes is for the home to be well lit. Without the proper lighting, either from widows are electricity and as beautiful as the home may be with...

Webinar handouts:

The first “Machloket” in the Torah

משנה אבות ה׳:י״ז

כל מחלוקת שהיא לשם שמים. סופה להתקיים. ושאינה לשם שמים. אין סופה להתקיים. איזו היא מחלוקת שהוא לשם שמים זו מחלוקת הלל ושמאי. ושאינה לשם שמים. זו מחלוקת קרח וכל עדתו

Every argument that is for [the sake of] heaven's name, it is destined to endure. But if it is not for [the sake of] heaven's name -- it is not destined to endure. What is [an example of an argument] for [the sake of] heaven's name? The argument of Hillel and Shammai. What is [an example of an argument] not for [the sake of] heaven's name? The argument of Korach and all of his congregation.

ויקרא י טז

וְאֵת ׀ שְׂעִיר הַֽחַטָּאת דָּרֹשׁ דָּרַשׁ מֹשֶׁה וְהִנֵּה שֹׂרָף וַיִּקְצֹף עַל־אֶלְעָזָר וְעַל־אִֽיתָמָר בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן הַנּוֹתָרִם לֵאמֹֽר׃

Then Moses inquired about the goat of sin offering, and it had already been burned! He was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s remaining sons, and said,

Rashi:

שעיר החטאת...