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.

The Zohar calls the encounter of Joseph and Judah as an encounter of 2 worlds, the sphere of Zeir Anpin and Malchut, the spiritual and material worlds.

Joseph and Judah represent two diametrical dimensions that are both true, that is why the Zohar tells us that we have 2 Moshiach, representing both perspectives.

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...

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

 A New King

The new King who “did not know Joseph” is the Yeter Hara - the negative inclination, called an old foolish king. This king has no knowledge of G-d (called Joseph), “and he told his nation”- the powers of negativity. “The nation of Israel is becoming great and mightier than us”, the Yeter tov- positive inclination is becoming mightier than us.

Pharaoh had to do something- quick!

The Israelites are summoned to build cities of storage for Pharaoh. Pharaoh has the letters of העורף- the nape. Unlike the face, the nape is desensitized and the inner (holier) motivation is unseen.  The pyramids -“let us build cities of storage, Pitom and Rameses”- let us subjugate the body within the powers of negativity.

Negative eating

Pitom- “the mouth of the abyss” has the letters פה...

"The people of the book", is a pretty accurate description of the Jewish people, wouldn't you say?

More than merely study, learning is intertwined with the very fabric of Jewish survival. Learning Torah has always been the secret of not just spiritual survival, but had the protective qualities to safeguard the individual and the community from the turbulent waves of the world, giving wisdom, inspiration and hope to a people who has defied history. 

We have had many leaders throughout the ages, but the leadership of Joseph and Judah lay the foundations of "the people of the book" as they start their long rode in Egypt and all subsequent exiles. 

Joseph & Judah diametrically different. 

Joseph was exceptional. He started off as an a child prodigy we may say. According to Kabbalah, Joseph represents the Sefirah of Yesod. Yesod is called Tzadik- the righteous one and was endowed with the abilities to remain mentally focused and morally righteous...

By Amichai Cohen

When you hear the word "dreams" what comes to mind?  

For many people sleep comes to mind, for others hope for a newfound reality comes to mind. 

We all have those unrealistic dreams, such as "I want to be a fireman when I grow up" or "I want to be superman.." We do however have realistic dreams that we need and must pursue for us to actualize our life's potential. In some ways a dream is similar to hope. We need to have hope in our lives in order to motivate us to pursue something great. When we rely on hope, then we can become hopeless. 

The Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation) says that the month of Kislev is associated with the sense of dreaming.The month of Kislev sifts between those unrealistic dreams ("I want to be an astronaut" ones) and the real ones we are meant to pursue. 

It is interesting that during this month we read the stories of Jacob dreaming and now Joseph, the quintessential dreamer. 

In the story of Joseph, we...

The epic dream of Jacob represents have many different interpretations. According to the Zohar, the ladder represents prayer. The Talmud explains that the ladder represents prayer because the words of prayer ascend upwards and bring down vitalizing energy.

The Midrash has a different interpretation. According to the Midrash the ladder represents the four exiles of the Jewish people. 

The four exiles are: 

1. Babylon

2. Persia and Media

3. Greece

4. Rome

In his dream, Jacob saw the angels ascend upwards, representing and exile, finally completed as the angel descends.

When Jacob saw the angel which represented the exile of Rome, he "become fearful", because the angel did not descend, appearing as if the exile of Rome would never end. 

Then G-d calls to him from on top of the ladder and says "do not be fearful, for the land which you are sleeping upon is your's and your children". 

What is the consolation in G-d's promise?

The Talmud says that G-d folded up the...

By: Rabbi Amichai Cohen

The word enlightened by definition means having light. The analogy of light is found across all religions, philosophies and cultures.

In Kabbalah, the analogy of light is extremely important. The book of the Zohar or light, written by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in the second century, and the book of the Bahir or illumination written in the first century by Rabbi Nechunia Ben Hakanah show the importance of light in Jewish mysticism. 

In Temple times, the menorah- candelabra served as the beacon light which shined the light of Jerusalem- a city of peace to the rest of the world. 

The symbol of the Menorah was so important, that in fact on the famous Titus archway in Rome, the Menorah was etched as a symbol of conquest of the land of Israel. 

The Menorah continues to serve as the symbol of the modern state of Israel and is even more the sign of Judaism than Star of David. 

Aaron The High Priest

In the tabernacle, Aaron, the high priest would...

By Rabbi Amichai Cohen

Do you question if now is the right time to move?

Research finds moving to new locations (and getting married..) as one of the  most stressful events in one's life. Anxiety about so many unknowns consume our thoughts before the move, while the adjustment period takes a mental tole on us as we settle into our new surroundings.

Here are some Torah tips for how to know when the right time to move is and how to mentally prepare.

In the Torah portion of B'halotcha, the Torah discusses the travels of the Jewish people in the desert.

The 12 tribes of the Israelites were divided into 4 camps, each camp consisting of 3 tribes. In the middle of the 4 camps was the Tabernacle, which stored the ark that housed the tablets -the Ten Commandments. 

During the 40 year sojourn in the desert the Jewish people traveled 42 journeys. 

The Ba'al Shem Tov says that just as the Israelites traveled 42 journeys, so too each individual has 42 journeys in their...