Each of the kohanim’s splendid garments adorned a specific part of their bodies. Each of the additional garments and ornaments worn by the Kohen Gadol served a defined purpose: the choshen was made of twelve stones corresponding to the Twelve Tribes, the tzitz atoned for sacrifices brought in a state of impurity, and so on.

The exception is the avnet, the sash or belt, which doesn’t seem to have served any specific purpose. The other garments did not actually require a belt to hold them in place, and even the garments which might have benefited from a belt certainly did not need a 32-cubit long belt, which required the kohen to wrap it around himself repeatedly (see Rambam, Klei Hamikdash 8:19)!

The purpose of the avnet is simply to express the kohen’s “readiness” to serve before G-d, (unlike the other garments which are each associated with a particular mode and theme of Divine service, corresponding to a specific part of the body.) This is akin to the...

What is the origin of thoughts, and are we, in fact, our thoughts?

“I think therefore I am” famously said by 18th Century Philosopher Rene Descartes, is the anthem of the Western world in many ways.

We know that our inner world is multi-layered. Our physical brain is extraordinarily complex and is divided into three general areas; The frontal lobe, the Perennial lobe, and the occipital lobe. On a neurological level, we can say that the cortex, the prefrontal cortex, and the amygdala are the roots of cognition and formation of intelligence, memory, thoughts, and action. 

Who’s leading who? 

In Kabbalistic writings, we are taught that there are three parts of our mind, our higher intelligence, called Chochma and Binah, the mindful component of our consciousness, called Da’at, and our emotions. 

The ideal healthy flow of consciousness begins with our higher cognition and filters to our emotions. When the mind can transmit its realizations,...

In this webinar class, we delved deeply into an unknown subject- the emergence of the new Geula souls.

The Alter Rebbe goes into length about this and the AriZal in Sha'ar Hagilgulim devotes a whole chapter to this subject.

This subject is especially connected to the time that we are- an emergence of a new reality is being birthed. 

In the class, we deepened our understanding of the "meal" of the Leviathan and the Ox, spoken about in the Tanach.

What is Live Kabbalah School about? Over 200 profound, yet practical classes, courses and semesters. Mentoring, assessments a community and 1:1 mentoring to help our students LIVE and express the highest version of themselves. 

In the Zohar on Pinchas, Rabbi Shimon talks about warding away negativity. In Tanya chapter 11 in Igeret Hakodesh, the Alter Rebbe delves into what is TRUE Emunah (belief in G-d). 

B"H

Zohar Ki- Tisa |Translation of class:

"And Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 'When you do take the sum of the children of Yisrael after their number" (Shemot 30:11-13). Rabbi Aba, Rabbi Acha, and Rabbi Yosi were traveling from Tiberias to Tzipori. While they were traveling, they saw Rabbi Elazar coming with Rabbi Chiya. Rabbi Aba said: we shall surely join the Shechinah. They waited until they reached them. As soon as they came to them, Rabbi Elazar said: it is most certainly written: "The eyes of Hashem are towards the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry" (Tehilim 34:16). This passage is difficult.

Come and behold: it has been established that celestial blessing does not dwell on something that is numbered. And if you ask how Yisrael were counted, he took from them a ransom for themselves. And they did not count until all the ransom that was gathered was counted. THUS at first, Yisrael are blessed WHEN THE RANSOM IS RECEIVED, afterwards, once they counted the ransom,...

B'H

Celebrating Life

Tu or 15th of the month of Shevat is the new year - Rosh Hashanah of the trees, specifically the 7 species which the land of Israel were blessed with.

The Talmud says that there are 4 heads of the year; According to Beit Shamai, “The first of Nissan is the Rosh Hashnah for kings and Holidays, the first of Elul is Rosh Hashanah for tithing of animals, the first of Tishrei is the Rosh Hashanah of the lunar calendar year and the first of Shevat is the Rosh Hashanah for the trees.

In the opinion of Beit Hillel the Rosh Hashanah for the trees is on the 15th of Shevat” (Tractate Rosh Hashanah 2a). What is the inner significance of the 15th day of Shevat?

We celebrate the 15t of Shevat by eating 7 species of fruit (which 5 are fruits) that the land of Israel was blessed with: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranate, olives and dates. Why specifically these fruit? The verse says “for man is like the tree of the field” (Deuteronomy 21,19)....

AriZal | The Redemption As Birth - Written by Rabbi Amichai Cohen

“These are the names of the Children of Israel. with Jacob each man and his household, coming (descending) into Egypt”

The Arizal shares with us a beautiful interpretation of the story of the exile and redemption of the Children of Israel in Egypt.

By way of introduction, the Arizal says: “there are 70 facets (faces) to the Torah. One of them is called “Remez”- allegory. Therefor every teaching of the Torah can be understood on multiple levels.” 

The decent into Egypt is compared to a fetus submerged within the confines of the mother’s womb. In the verse “These are the names of the Children of Israel”, the Torah is hinting to us that the faculties of the soul  descend down into Egypt. The verse continues “with Jacob” - the Yetzer tov- positive inclination comes along for the ride. The verse continues: “Coming (descending)”  ...

R. Yaacov Abuchazera, also called the Abir Yaacov, was one the greatest Kabbalists and miracle workers in the last 200 years. In his book "Pituchei Chotam", R. Yaacov shares deep insights on how the soul becomes uplifted from its entrenchment in Egypt. The verse says "Jacob and his house hold came to Egypt". The Abir Yaacov explains that the soul's mission is to purify its "household", i.e the lower parts of its soul. 

In this deep teaching of the AriZal, we delve into the reason why the last 17 years were considered Jacob's life. We also explore the connection between Jacob and Israel- constricted and expanded consciousness.