Podcasts about kabbalistic

The extraordinary combination of גְּאוֹנוּת in lomdus in the Golden Age of Pilpul in the Golden Age of the Jews in The Kingdom of Poland , fascination with mathematics, and the Kabbalistic application of math to the deeper reading of the תּוֹרָה בִּכְתָב וְתוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֹּה

In this illuminating episode, we explore the profound spiritual significance of Hebrew names in Jewish identity and destiny. Prompted by thoughtful questions from our WhatsApp community, we delve into Kabbalistic teachings, the soul's divine origins, and the Torah's hidden structure to uncover how names are far more than labels—they are spiritual blueprints. Whether you were given a Hebrew name at birth, need to choose one, or are discovering your ancestral roots, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and practical guidance rooted in Torah wisdom.Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.

In this week's show Lian is joined once again by Mike Bais. Mike is Lian's own Kabbalah teacher, a physiotherapist, counsellor, university lecturer and author, also having had his own practice for many years. He is a trained priest in the esoteric christian tradition, which lead him to follow the mystical side of this lineage called the A.S.A. (Apostolic Succession of Arimathea). He believes that the Teachings of Christ are universal and should not be limited to a religious structure. His esoteric training comes from the western mystery tradition and the Toledano Kabbalah. Living in the Netherlands (Utrecht) he extensively worked with teachers and groups in the UK.  After some decades of study and practice in the western esoteric tradition, the inner work came together in these three streams or disciplines that make up the Circle of Avalon. Mike sees it as his life's work to teach these traditions to whomever wishes to receive them. He is a mystic and teacher by nature and through his groups, individual sessions, workshops and writing, transmits them in the most pure and true way he knows. Mike is the author of 3 books: Paths on the Tree of Wisdom – A course in 21st Century Kabbalah, A Kabbalistic view on science: Book 1 and A Kabbalistic view on science: Book 2. In this episode, Lian and Mike explore the sacred return of the Goddess as both a metaphysical truth and a living force within creation. Together, they journey through the ancient traditions that once honoured her, the distortions that led to her exile, and the path of remembrance that is now unfolding… personally, collectively, and spiritually. This is a conversation that reaches far beyond symbols or stories, into the very structure of existence. Lian reflects on how the Goddess often first speaks to us through dreams, symbols, or visceral moments in nature, long before we understand her metaphysical roots. Mike offers a crystalline transmission of her role as the body of creation itself, sharing insights from the Kabbalah, the Asa tradition, and his own devotion to restoring her presence within spiritual life. They also explore the risks of over-personalising archetypal experience, the need for balance between the God and Goddess, and the humility required to truly let her transform us. At the heart of their conversation is a powerful remembering… the Goddess has never left. She is the fertile earth beneath our feet, the womb of every form, the shimmering thread of the divine clothed in matter. What has been forgotten is not her presence, but our capacity to see her. This episode is a call to reawaken that vision, and to live as if she truly is the body of the world. We'd love to know what YOU think about this week's show. Let's carry on the conversation… please leave a comment wherever you are listening or in any of our other spaces to engage. What you'll learn from this episode: How the Goddess is not merely symbolic or a mythical story but a metaphysical principle, matter itself infused with the divine Why the erasure of the feminine from spiritual traditions created imbalance, and how restoring her brings both beauty and truth back to creation How to recognise the subtle ways the Goddess calls to you… and why honouring that call with humility and discernment matters more than ever Resources and stuff spoken about: Mike's websites: http://www.circleofavalon.nl http://www.kabbalahmysticalschool.com Mike's 2 part online workshop, 24th & 31st July 2025 - An Introduction to the Toledano Kabbalah Episode 470: The true Eve: How to 'transgress' into your power - Vanya Leilani Join UNIO, the Academy of the Soul: This is for the old souls in this new world… Discover your kin & unite with your soul's calling to truly live your myth. Be Mythical Join our mailing list for soul stirring goodness: https://www.bemythical.com/moonly Discover your kin & unite with your soul's calling to truly live your myth: https://www.bemythical.com/unio Go Deeper: https://www.bemythical.com/godeeper Follow us: Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube Thank you for listening! There's a fresh episode released each week here and on most podcast platforms - and video too on YouTube. If you subscribe then you'll get each new episode delivered to your device every week automagically. (that way you'll never miss a show).

Hasidism teaches that God's love—chesed—is boundless and unconditional. Yet some interpretations within Hasidic and Kabbalistic thought create a paradox: Jews are said to possess a unique, divine soul, while non-Jews have only a “natural” soul. This essay challenges that view, arguing that it undermines both Jewish ethics and universal human dignity. Drawing on Martin Buber's I and Thou philosophy, we reframe chosenness not as superiority, but as spiritual responsibility. To honor chesed fully, we must embrace the divine in every human being.#Chesed #HasidicJudaism #MartinBuber #IAndThou #JewishPhilosophy #SpiritualEquality #UniversalDignity #ChosenPeople #Kabbalah #JewishEthics #Tanya #ReligionAndHumanity #InterfaithDialogue #GodsLoveForAll #DeconstructingChosenness

In this powerful episode of Weekly Energy Boost, Elisheva Balas and Eitan Yardeni dive deep into the art of finding your inner spark when life feels overwhelming. Discover practical Kabbalistic wisdom on how to transform difficult experiences, overcome negative thoughts, and consciously choose to elevate yourself. Learn why every moment is an opportunity for growth, how to connect with your soul's potential, and why seeking support is crucial in your spiritual journey. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, or searching for meaning, this episode offers transformative insights to help you rise above challenges and shine your unique light through: - Navigating life's challenges with spiritual consciousness- The power of conscious decision-making- Finding support during difficult times- Connecting with your inner light and the CreatorJoin us for the next episode of Weekly Energy Boost with @ElishevaBalas and @EitanYardeni. Watch LIVE Sundays at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET on The Kabbalah Centre YouTube or catch the latest episode wherever you listen to podcasts.Find out more about our work, dig into our archives, and send us a message at: www.weeklyenergyboost.com.You can also help make Weekly Energy Boost possible by making a tax-deductible contribution at www.weeklyenergyboost.com/donate-today.

Tefillin is one of the 613 Misvot of the Torah and among the most iconic symbols of Judaism. It is referenced four separate times in the Torah and is described not with the term "Tefillin," but with the word "Totafot." Each of the four passages is written on the parchments inside the Tefillin, establishing both the arm (Shel Yad) and head (Shel Rosh) Tefillin as distinct Misvot. According to the Rambam, Tefillin Shel Yad and Tefillin Shel Rosh are counted as two separate commandments—Misvot 12 and 13 in his enumeration. This implies that if one cannot wear one of them (e.g., due to a physical limitation), he should still fulfill the other, as each stands independently. However, the Ramban disagrees and views them as parts of a single Misva. The Torah repeats the Misva of Tefillin multiple times, yet the Rambam teaches that repetition does not necessarily indicate separate commandments. Rather, the repetition underscores the importance of the Misva. In fact, one who neglects to wear Tefillin transgresses eight positive commandments —four from Shel Yad and four from Shel Rosh. What Does " Totafot " Mean? The term " Totafot " has numerous interpretations: The Gemara Menahot (34b) explains that "Tot" means "two" in the Katpi language, and " Fot " means "two" in African dialect— totalling four, referencing the four compartments of Tefillin Shel Rosh. Menahem ben Saruq interprets " Totafot " from the root " Hatof " (to speak), reflecting that Tefillin inspires us to speak of Hashem's teachings. Ramban says Totafot is an ornament, a kind of crown or glorious item worn on the head, based on Midrashim and biblical parallels. Hezkuni interprets it as something gazed upon, meant to visually remind the wearer of Hashem's miracles. Kabbalistic sources say Tefillin is a form of "Ot" (sign), symbolizing the covenant between the Jewish people and Hashem. The word "Tefillin" itself derives from "Peli"—to distinguish or to separate—or from " Tefila " (prayer), since Tefillin is primarily worn during prayer. Some suggest it comes from the root "Patil" (binding), as in the Torah's description of Naftali. Philosophical Purpose of Tefillin The Sefer HaHinuch (Misva 421) writes that humans are physical beings drawn to material pleasures. The soul is the counterforce, urging one to rise spiritually. Tefillin serves as a daily spiritual armor , empowering the soul to prevail in its ongoing struggle with the body. The Tefillin Shel Yad is worn near the heart, the seat of emotion and desire, while the Tefillin Shel Rosh rests above the brain, the seat of thought—reinforcing control over both. Tefillin is part of the "triple protection system" described in the Gemara—Tefillin, Sisit , and Mezuzah. A person surrounded by these reminders is far less likely to sin . The Rambam adds that donning Tefillin causes a person to behave with humility, awe, and discipline, shielding him from improper thoughts. Tefillin as a Sign Three Misvot are described in the Torah as an "Ot" (sign) : Tefillin, Shabbat, and Berit Milah. A Jew must always be accompanied by at least two signs testifying to his faith. During the week, Tefillin and Milah serve this role. On Shabbat and Yom Tob, when Tefillin is not worn, Shabbat and Milah function as the two signs. This explains the prohibition of wearing Tefillin on Shabbat—doing so would imply that Shabbat is not a sufficient "sign" on its own. Protection, Reward, and Spiritual Energy Wearing Tefillin not only fulfills a critical Misva but is associated with long life, Divine protection, spiritual clarity , and even atonement . Rabbi Shimon teaches that Tefillin atones for the sin of arrogance and, according to some Midrashim, even for more serious transgressions. The Zohar states that Tefillin draws Divine light around the wearer's head. The famed Baba Sali is said to have sensed when his Tefillin were invalid because he didn't feel this spiritual energy. In fact, studies have been cited showing subtle energy field changes when valid Tefillin are worn. The Gemara in Berachot teaches that those who wake early, clean their bodies, don Tefillin, and pray are considered as if they built an altar and brought a sacrifice. The Midrash Tanhuma says that one who desires to study Torah day and night but is preoccupied with work can still attain that merit through wearing Tefillin. The Spiritual Danger of Neglect The Gemara states that one who never wore Tefillin is categorized as a " Poshe'a B'gufo " —a sinner with his body—one of the most serious categories. Such a person does not merit resurrection and is punished severely in Gehinnam . Some authorities rule that even a person who only occasionally neglects Tefillin is included in this category, especially if done out of contempt or laziness. This explains why many Sephardi communities adopted the custom of donning Tefillin at Minha on Ereb Yom Kippur —to ensure that even the least observant Jews fulfill the Misva at least once annually. Tefillin and the Five Senses Tefillin affects not only the spiritual self but also the five senses : Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are all situated in the head, thus corresponding to the four compartments of the Tefillin Shel Rosh. Touch corresponds to the Tefillin Shel Yad, placed on the arm and wrapped around the hand. This design serves as a daily reminder to guard our senses and align our behavior with holiness. Summary Tefillin is not just a ritual—it is a powerful spiritual and physical shield . The Torah refers to it repeatedly, highlighting its great value. Tefillin connects the mind and heart to Hashem, serves as a visible testimony to one's Jewish identity, brings protection and humility, and provides spiritual credit equivalent to the study of Torah. One who neglects it—especially willfully—risks significant spiritual consequences. Conversely, one who wears it properly fulfills multiple Misvot and draws down abundant blessing. As we begin our study of the practical Halachot of Tefillin, we now understand why this Misva is treated with such reverence and importance.

How often do we say “I feel like…” - but what we're actually expressing is a thought, an opinion, or a judgment? In this live conversation, my husband Rabbi Yonasan Reiser and I sat down to explore the deeper meaning behind that common phrase. We unpacked the subtle but powerful difference between thoughts and feelings, and why this distinction matters so much in our relationships, our self-awareness, and even our avodas Hashem. Topics we touched on include: – Why it feels safer to say “I feel like…” instead of naming what we actually feel – The role of vulnerability in honest communication – A Shabbos story that surprised me with just how many feelings were tangled inside – How unmet needs show up in relationships, especially between men and women – What it means to receive and give from a place of wholeness, through the lens of the Kabbalistic concepts of mekabel and mashpia – Why having the right words for our emotions can create real relief and connection – And how using Nonviolent Communication in our marriage gave us a shared language to express what's really going on beneath the surface Whether you're new to this kind of emotional work or deep in it, we hope this conversation brings more clarity, self-compassion, and maybe even new language to help you feel heard, by yourself and the people you love.

Send us a text"I am a 73-year-old spiritual teacher in southern Indiana. My background, in chronological order, is Christianity, agnosticism, the Eastern traditions, paganism, ceremonial magic, Kabbalah, Judaism, and finally the Path the Water. In the 70's, after exhausting the avenues of Christianity, I became open to eastern thought, primarily Hinduism and Buddhism. In 1978 I was initiated into Suret Shabd yoga by Darshan Singh. At the time circumstances led me away from that path although my journey eventually led me back to it. During that side journey I became interested in ceremonial magic which eventually led me to the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). Judaism took me back to the Bible in which, aided by Kabbalistic principles, I discovered the Path of Water. The Path of Water is the mystery of baptism or the Mikvah. I have written two books on the subject, I've included a link to a description of the latest one, “Who Do Men Say That I Am?”"https://youtu.be/FuZ4j-upG-MResources:www.SoulAwakeningStore.comwww.claudiumurgan.comclaudiu@claudiumurgan.comhttps://spirituallyinspired.buzzsprout.comSubscribe for more videos! youtube.com/channel/UC6RlLkzUK_LdyRSV7DE6obQSupport the show

Hello Beloved. ”THE MYSTERIES OF GOD HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”For those that knock - and demand the truth….text everything and bring it into light. Today we dip our toe into the lost books of teh bible and how the walk of Jesus far outstretched in what is portrayed in the bible according to the validity of the Essenes ( lost books of the bible discovered ). This is not a religious belief conversation, it is a historic overview of curiosity and deeper revelation of truth through a open mind and heart. That said…..LET'S HOP IN! POINT BLANK: One of the greatest spiritual enigmas of all time—the kind that makes you tilt your head and whisper, “Wait, what?”—is the missing 18 years of Jesus's life.You know the ones.The Gospels tell us about his birth, his moment of brilliance at age 12 in the temple, and then… silence.Until he reappears at 30, ready to turn the world inside out.It's as if the most formative years of the most influential spiritual teacher in history were tucked away behind a curtain.But what if that curtain is ready to be pulled back?Exploring the Lost YearsNow, I'm not here to sell you on conspiracy theories or fringe ideas just for the thrill of it.But I am here to explore the beautiful, messy, and fascinating mosaic of possibilities that suggest Jesus's “lost years” were anything but idle.There's a growing body of scholarship, oral tradition, and even ancient manuscripts that hint Jesus may have spent these years not in obscurity, but in study, in pilgrimage, and in deep spiritual practice across some of the most sacred lands on Earth.The Essene ConnectionLet's start with the Essenes.These weren't your average desert dwellers.They were a mystical Jewish sect living near the Dead Sea, devoted to ritual purity, communal living, and a prophetic vision of a coming teacher who would uplift humanity.Some scholars, like Edmund Bordeaux Szekely in The Essene Gospel of Peace, suggest Jesus was trained by them—immersed in their practices of fasting, healing, and spiritual discipline.The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947 at Qumran, echo teachings of divine justice, purity, and a “Teacher of Righteousness” that feel uncannily similar to Jesus's later message (see: Vermes, G., The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English).Echoes of KabbalahAnd then there's the thread of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition that dives deep into the nature of God, the soul, and the cosmos.Lawrence Gardner, in The Magdalene Legacy, proposes that Jesus was not just a preacher but a mystic—someone who understood the Tree of Life, the sacred geometry of creation, and the divine spark within all beings.When Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I and the Father are one,” he's not just being poetic.He's articulating a mystical truth that resonates deeply with Kabbalistic teachings on unity and divine emanation.Journeys to EgyptBut the trail doesn't stop in Judea.It winds its way south to Egypt, where the ancient Mystery Schools taught the secrets of resurrection, inner alchemy, and soul initiation.Gerald Massey, in The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ, draws parallels between Jesus and Osiris—the Egyptian god of death and rebirth.Manly P. Hall, in The Secret Teachings of All Ages, even suggests Jesus may have been initiated in the Great Pyramid itself, undergoing the sacred rites of transformation.Egypt wasn't just a place of pyramids and pharaohs—it was a spiritual university, and Jesus may have been one of its most dedicated students.The Indian SojournAnd then—this is where it gets really juicy—there's India.Yes, India.The land of sages, yogis, and the Upanishads.The connection begins at his birth, with the Magi—wise men from the East, possibly Hindu rishis—who followed a star not just in the sky, but in their inner vision.In Indian spiritual tradition, the “star in the east” refers to the third eye, the gateway to divine insight.Their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were traditional offerings for newborns in India, not just symbolic tokens.Fast forward a few decades, and we find the most intriguing account of all: The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ by Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch.In the late 1800s, Notovitch claimed to have discovered Tibetan manuscripts in a monastery in Ladakh, describing the life of “Issa”—a name used for Jesus—who traveled through India, Nepal, and Tibet.These texts describe a young man fleeing societal expectations, studying the Vedas in Puri, challenging the caste system, and preaching universal love and nonviolence.Later, in Tibet, he studied Buddhist sutras—teachings that echo in his later messages about humility, renunciation, and inner peace.Now, Notovitch's claims were met with skepticism, of course.But Swami Abhedananda, a respected Indian monk, later traveled to the same monastery and corroborated the existence of the texts.Paramahansa Yogananda, in his spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, also referenced Jesus's time in India, emphasizing the harmony between Christ's teachings and the yogic path of self-realization.This wasn't about borrowing ideas—it was a soul recognizing truth across borders.The Aquarian GospelAnd if you're still with me (thank you), let's talk about The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, written by Levi H. Dowling in 1908.Dowling claimed to have transcribed the book from the Akashic Records—a kind of cosmic memory bank.The Aquarian Gospel offers a sweeping narrative of Jesus's travels through India, Persia, Greece, and Egypt, learning from every major spiritual tradition of the time.Whether or not you believe in the Akashic Records, the book paints a compelling picture of a Jesus who was not only divine but deeply human—curious, humble, and committed to understanding the universal truths that bind us all.Mainstream PerspectivesOf course, mainstream Christianity has struggled with these ideas.The Gospels are silent on these years, and the Church has historically resisted narratives that suggest Jesus learned from other traditions.But let's be honest: the Bible has been edited, translated, and reinterpreted countless times.Can we really say we have the whole story?Or is it possible that what we've been given is just one chapter in a much larger, richer tale?A Bridge Between WorldsBecause here's the thing: When we allow ourselves to explore these possibilities—not as dogma, but as sacred curiosity—we begin to see Jesus not just as a figure of worship, but as a bridge.A bridge between East and West.Between the mystical and the practical.Between the divine and the human.His teachings on inward prayer, fasting, and the kingdom of God within mirror the meditative practices of yoga and the self-inquiry of the Upanishads.His parables echo the allegorical wisdom of Egyptian initiation rites.His message of love, compassion, and inner transformation is, in essence, the heart of every great spiritual tradition.And maybe, just maybe, that's the point.That truth is not a possession, but a path.That divinity is not a hierarchy, but a homecoming.And that Jesus, in his lost years, wasn't lost at all—but walking the long, sacred road that would prepare him to light the way for us all.Your thoughts? xo Kassandra. PS: Look for the next drop on our Lady Sophia and her uprising of the Divine feminine.Sources:* Szekely, E. B. (1981). The Essene Gospel of Peace.* Vermes, G. (2004). The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English.* Gardner, L. (2005). The Magdalene Legacy.* Massey, G. (1900). The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ.* Hall, M. P. (1928). The Secret Teachings of All Ages.* Notovitch, N. (1894). The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ.* Abhedananda, S. (1922). Journey into Kashmir and Tibet.* Yogananda, P. (1946). Autobiography of a Yogi.* Dowling, L. H. (1908). The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ.Thank you for being open to this journey.Keep seeking, keep questioning, and above all—keep your heart open to the divine mystery that is always unfolding.Love KassandraThe Light Between is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Light Between at thelightbetween.substack.com/subscribe

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake... In this episode, you will be guided through a deep rest practice that integrates the pathways of the Kabbalistic energy centers (the sefirot). These mystical elements reveal how divine energy flows into and through you, facilitating a deeper connection with your soul's authentic expression in the world. Settle into a comfortable position and embark on a meditative experience, embracing stillness and awareness while exploring the unique potential of each energy center. Harness the energies of loving kindness, inner strength, balance, and more through guided breathing and visualization techniques. This soothing Yoga Nidra practice supports the nurturing of intentions and promotes integration of spiritual insights into daily life.   Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart, body, and soul. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan that integrates all the sefirot, mapping them onto your body as you transition your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork in connection with the colorful energies of the sefirot Polarities: Explore how you metabolize opposite experiences through brining awareness to dualities based on the sefirot.  Visualization:  Integrate each sefira energy on a deeper level through guided visualization in a state of the deepest rest.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you planted earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Gradually transition back to your ordinary waking state. Background Music: Life is Beautiful by IamThatIam, Pixabay   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com  Join WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dctsv246R8735S4oa6GWvW    May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

In this powerful episode of Inside Personal Growth, Greg Voisen sits down with spiritual healer and shaman Ofer Niv, author of From Shadows to Light – The Alchemy of Self-Healing. Ofer's journey from military service and corporate management to deep spiritual awakening began with a life-changing diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Rather than accept the prognosis, he embarked on a path of profound healing, ultimately transforming his illness into a gateway for self-discovery and soul-aligned living. Drawing from his book, Ofer introduces listeners to the Five Realms of Healing—Heart, Shadow, Magical, D'atha (Knowledge), and Divine. These realms offer a roadmap for uncovering hidden traumas, reclaiming forgotten gifts, and reconnecting with our divine essence. Through the lens of Kabbalistic wisdom, shamanic practices, and energetic healing, Ofer empowers individuals to step into wholeness and activate their inner alchemical flame. This episode is for anyone ready to move beyond pain and limitation, and toward a life filled with purpose, healing, and spiritual alignment. Topics Discussed -Ofer's personal healing journey and spiritual awakening -The origins and meaning behind From Shadows to Light – The Alchemy of Self-Healing -How trauma and illness hold the keys to transformation -The Five Realms of Healing and their impact on body, mind, and spirit -Energetic clearing techniques for ancestral and soul-level wounds -Practical tools for awakening self-love, divine trust, and inner freedom -The intersection of science, spirituality, and vibrational healing What Listeners Will Learn -How to navigate emotional and spiritual healing using the Five Realms -Why your biggest wounds may hold your greatest gifts -How to dissolve limiting beliefs, contracts, and past-life blocks -Ways to align with your soul's true purpose and divine energy -How personal healing contributes to collective spiritual transformation Our Guest, Ofer Niv: ➥ Book: From Shadows to Light – The Alchemy of Self-Healing! ➥https://alchemicalflame.com/ ➡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alchemical.flame/ ➡️Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alchemical.Flamee/ ➡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofer-niv/ Learn more about your Inside Personal Growth host, Greg Voisen: ➥ https://gregvoisen.com ➡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidepersonalgrowth/ ➡️Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsidePersonalGrowth/ ➡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregvoisen/ ➡️Twitter/ X: https://twitter.com/lvoisen/

J.J. and Dr. Elliot Wolfson are just two beings talking about being, time, and Jewish mysticism in the thought of Martin Heidegger. Follow us on Bluesky @jewishideaspod.bsky.social for updates and insights!Please rate and review the the show in the podcast app of your choice.We welcome all complaints and compliments at podcasts@torahinmotion.org  For more information visit torahinmotion.org/podcastsElliot R. Wolfson, a Fellow of the American Academy of Jewish Research and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is the Marsha and Jay Glazer Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies and Distinguished Professor of Religion Emeritus at University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of many publications including most recently The Duplicity of Philosophy's Shadow: Heidegger, Nazism and the Jewish Other (2018); Heidegger and Kabbalah: Hidden Gnosis and the Path of Poiēsis (2019); Suffering Time: Philosophical, Kabbalistic, and Ḥasidic Reflections on Temporality (2021); The Philosophical Pathos of Susan Taubes: Between Nihilism and Hope (2023); Nocturnal Seeing: Hopelessness of Hope and Philosophical Gnosis in Susan Taubes, Gillian Rose, and Edith Wyschogrod (2025); Apophasis and Envisioning the Invisible: Unveiling Veils of Infinitivity (2026).

This episode explores the halachic considerations of moving a deceased person on Shabbat. We discuss when it is permitted, such as moving the body with permitted items like bread or a child, the role of clothing, indirect movement for permitted needs, and strategies for shading or preserving the deceased. We also examine the limitations on bodily contact, including closing eyes or straightening limbs, and how Kabbalistic customs interact with halachic rulings.

It is customary to adorn our homes and synagogues on Shabuot with flowers and greenery. This custom is recorded by the Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles of Cracow, 1525-1572) in his discussion of the laws of Shabout (Orah Haim 494:3). More so than on other holidays, it is appropriate on Shabuot to decorate the homes and synagogues with flowers and other vegetation, in order commemorate Matan Torah. At the time of the Revelation at Sinai, G-d warned the people not to allow their cattle to graze on the mountain ("Gam Ha'son Ve'ha'bakar Al Yir'u El Mul Ha'har Ha'hu" – Shemot 34:3), indicating that it was full of pasture. Mount Sinai is in the desert, where vegetation does not grow, but in honor of the event of Matan Torah G-d had flowers and grass grow on the mountain, and we commemorate this adorning of Mount Sinai by adorning our homes and synagogues on Shabuot. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) adds a deeper interpretation of this custom based on Kabbalistic teachings. He explains that Torah study has the effect of "Mituk Ha'dinim" – "sweetening" harsh judgments issued against a person. Even if G-d had issued a decree, Heaven forbid, against somebody, that decree can be annulled through the study of Torah. The divine Name associated with strict judgment is "Elokim," whereas the Name associated with "Mituk Ha'dinim" is "Havaya" (Y-H-V-H). When we spell out the names of the letters of these Names (e.g. the Alef of "Elokim" is spelled out, "Alef, Lamed, Peh"), the combined numerical value of the letters of "Elokim" is 300, and the combined numerical value of the letters of "Havaya" is 72. The letter representing the number 300 is "Seen," and the number 72 is represented by the letters "Ayin" (70) and "Bet" (2). The two letters of "Havaya," the Ben Ish Hai explains, surround the letter of "Elokim" to neutralize its effect, such that the letter "Seen" is placed in between the "Ayin" and "Bet." When the three letters are arranged in this fashion, they spell the word "Eseb" – "grass." Thus, we put out vegetation on Shabuot to symbolize the profound spiritual effect of our Torah study, how it has the capacity to annul harsh judgments. As we celebrate the event of Matan Torah, we remind ourselves of how valuable and precious Torah learning is, as alluded to in the "Eseb" with which we decorate the synagogue and home. Summary: It is customary to decorate homes and synagogues with vegetation on Shabuot to commemorate the vegetation that adorned Mount Sinai when the Torah was given. On a Kabbalistic level, vegetation alludes to the power of Torah study to protect us from harsh decrees.

Ever wondered how spirituality can transform your entrepreneurial journey? Join us for an inspiring conversation with @David Berg, the visionary director of Commander AI and host of the Success Series podcast. David takes us through his personal evolution, from growing up in The Kabbalah Centre to finally embracing his spiritual roots. This episode is all about finding that sweet spot where spiritual wisdom and business acumen meet, offering a foundation for growth that transcends traditional boundaries. Discover the transformative power of practices like certainty and restriction. David shares insights on how small, mindful actions in daily life can lead to miraculous outcomes. Explore how giving without expecting anything in return can tap into an endless source of joy and blessings. Let's go deeper. (12:09) - The Power of Certainty and Restriction(21:38) - Channeling Energy Through Giving(25:47) - Expanding Consciousness Through Discomfort(38:20) - Spirituality and Entrepreneurship in Waste Management(44:06) - Overcoming Ego and Insecurities(53:19) - Power of Desire and Application(01:00:17) - The Power of Gratitude and ConnectionCheck out David HereCheck out our partner Belay using our custom link HERE to find the best help available to grow your business!To join our community click here.➤ To connect with Craig Siegel follow Craig on Instagram➤ Order a copy of my new book The Reinvention Formula today! ➤ Join our CLS texting community for free daily inspiration and business strategies to elevate your day, text (917) 634-3796To follow The CLS Experience and connect with Craig on Social Media:➤ INSTAGRAM➤ FACEBOOK➤ TIKTOK➤ YOUTUBE➤ WEBSITE➤ LINKEDIN➤ X

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake...   In this soothing episode, we explore the final emanation on the Tree of Life, Malkchut, associated with the Divine Feminine/Shekhina and the concept of embodied manifestation of sacred sovereignty. In this episode of Na'aleh Yoga, you're invited into the sacred stillness of Malkhut, the final sefirah on the Tree of Life. As the vessel that receives all divine flow, Malkhut teaches the transformative power of receptivity, rest, and embodied presence. Through this guided Yoga Nidra practice, you'll explore how grounding into your physical body connects you to your personal and cosmic sovereignty and abundance. Let this be your Shabbat of the soul, where there's nothing left to strive for, only the spaciousness to receive.    Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart, body, and soul. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan designed to reflect the essence of Malkhut as you transition your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork embodying the energy of Malkhut Visualization:  Connect with the receiving energy of Malkhut through a healing guided visualization in a state of the deepest rest.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you planted earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Gradually transition back to your ordinary waking state. Background Music:  Meditation: Peace-love-healing-432hz-music-prayer-aura-good-vibes by Denis Pavlov, from Pixabay   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com  Join WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dctsv246R8735S4oa6GWvW    May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

How do you become a channel for money and abundance instead of constantly chasing it? In this bonus workshop, Cathy shares deep Kabbalistic teachings on money, purpose, and divine flow—revealing how to clear energetic blocks like fear, guilt, and shame so you can receive what's already yours. You'll learn how to circulate divine light, become the vessel you were always meant to be, and open up to the abundance that's been waiting for you. - We're having afterparty sessions of the workshop! Join for free at cathyheller.com/workshop or level up to VIP cathyheller.com/vip- Doors are open to This Abundant Life! cathyheller.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The late Z'ev Ben Shimon HaLevi (Warren Kenton 1933-2020) wrote The Kabbalistic Tree of Life (KS Books, 2025), a metaphysical scheme based on ancient, medieval and modern views of its principles, which describes the structure and dynamic of cosmic laws that operate throughout the four Worlds of Jacob's Ladder and humanity. HaLevi also wrote The Anointed (KS Books, 2025), a fictional Kabbalistic novel about the destiny of one man and the fate of the world. Tune in as we speak with Jonathon Clark, former student of HaLevi and now himself a teacher of Kabbalah, about the life and works of Z'Ev Ben Shimon HaLevi. Jonathon Clark was a student of Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi from 1992 until his death in 2020. His website is www.jonathonclark.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

The late Z'ev Ben Shimon HaLevi (Warren Kenton 1933-2020) wrote The Kabbalistic Tree of Life (KS Books, 2025), a metaphysical scheme based on ancient, medieval and modern views of its principles, which describes the structure and dynamic of cosmic laws that operate throughout the four Worlds of Jacob's Ladder and humanity. HaLevi also wrote The Anointed (KS Books, 2025), a fictional Kabbalistic novel about the destiny of one man and the fate of the world. Tune in as we speak with Jonathon Clark, former student of HaLevi and now himself a teacher of Kabbalah, about the life and works of Z'Ev Ben Shimon HaLevi. Jonathon Clark was a student of Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi from 1992 until his death in 2020. His website is www.jonathonclark.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The late Z'ev Ben Shimon Halevi (Warren Kenton 1933-2020) wrote The Kabbalistic Tree of Life (KS Books, 2025), a metaphysical scheme based on ancient, medieval and modern views of its principles, which describes the structure and dynamic of cosmic laws that operate throughout the four Worlds of Jacob's Ladder and humanity. Halevi also wrote The Anointed (KS Books, 2025), a fictional Kabbalistic novel about the destiny of one man and the fate of the world. Tune in as we speak with Jonathon Clark, former student of Halevi and now himself a teacher of Kabbalah, about the life and works of Z'Ev Ben Shimon Halevi. Please visit the Kabbalah Society's website. There you can find more info about Warren's books, study materials, and videos on Warren himself.  Jonathon Clark was a student of Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi from 1992 until his death in 2020. His website is www.jonathonclark.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake... This yoga nidra explores the Kabbalistic emanation of Yesod, a spiritual bridge connecting the seen and unseen. Yesod serves as a meeting place where the energies of higher sefirot (emanations) of lovingkindness, inner strength, balance, endurance, and gratitude converge from abstract origins into physical form. This practice invites you to align your thoughts, feelings, and actions, allowing you to trust in the unseen and create from a place of clarity and connection. As you delve into this meditative practice, you are encouraged to let go of efforts and agendas, thereby weaving your experiences into a state of wholeness. By entering the fluid state between sleep and wakefulness, cognitive restraints ease and deeper awareness unfolds, providing a fertile ground for healing and creativity.  By fostering a deep sense of grounding and presence through progressive relaxation, breath awareness, body scanning, and vivid visualization, this Jewish-rooted Yoga Nidra practice serves to cultivate your inner strength and potential.   Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart, body, and soul. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan anchored in the theme of Hod as you transition your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork embodying the essence of Yesod Visualization:  Experience the grounding of Yesod through a therapeutic guided visualization in a state of the deepest rest.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you set earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Gradually transition back to your ordinary waking state. Background Music:  Deep Meditation by Grand Project from Pixabay   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com  Join WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dctsv246R8735S4oa6GWvW    May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

Today, I dive into the four levels of intuition through the lens of Kabbalistic wisdom. Inspired by Monica and Michael Berg's Spiritually Hungry Podcast, I reflect on how these levels have shown up in my own life and how you can start recognizing them in yours. We'll explore everything from the gut-level knowing we all experience to the more elevated forms of divine guidance. I'll also walk you through a powerful intuitive development exercise to help you deepen your clairvoyance and connection to your higher self. Here's what I cover in this episode: The four levels of intuition according to Kabbalah, from baseline knowing to divine thought How divine inspiration differs from everyday intuitive hits The role of prophecy and how it shows up in modern life Practical steps for aligning with your soul's purpose and the energy of the Creator A guided intuitive development exercise to activate your inner vision  And don't miss out on my special offer rate and review the podcast for a chance to win access to my 'Meet Your Spirit Guides' course.  Join the Intuition Activation Community: https://jessicarachel.samcart.com/products/intuition-activation-community  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjessicarachel   Email: jessicarachel.snider@gmail.com   Website: https://www.jessicarachel.co/podcast  ONLY $44!!! Meet Your Spirit Guides Course link: https://jessicarachel.samcart.com/products/meet-your-spirit-guides 

Lag B'Omer isn't just a day for bonfires and bow-and-arrows. It's the Hilula—the joyous “wedding day”—of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the mystic who gave us the Zohar and opened the gates of Jewish spiritual consciousness. But why a wedding on the day of someone's passing? This class explores the paradox at the heart of both life and love: how our greatest limitations can be our most profound doorways to infinity.We'll explore Talmudic, Kabbalistic, and Chassidic sources—from the soul-body dynamic, to the power of mitzvot, to why life is likened to a wedding. You'll discover how the soul's “marriage” to the body mirrors our own sacred relationships and how Lag B'Omer invites us to celebrate the holiness hidden in the now.3 Takeaways:Life is a Wedding, Not a Waiting Room Rabbi Shimon taught us to stop postponing joy. Every mitzvah, every act of love, is a divine moment worth celebrating now—not later.Paradox is the Pathway to Eternity Through the union of opposites—soul and body, heaven and earth, law and love—we don't diminish ourselves. We become eternal.Kabbalah Illuminates the Ordinary Lag B'Omer marks the unveiling of the soul of Torah, where every halachah becomes a mystical spark and every moment a gateway to the Infinite#lagbaomer #zohar #Kabbalah #mysticism #Jewish #chassidic #chassidus #chabad #Hillula #soul #meaningoflife #meaning #JewishSpirituality #soul Support the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

Send us a textLag B'Omer isn't just a day for bonfires and bow-and-arrows. It's the Hilula—the joyous “wedding day”—of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the mystic who gave us the Zohar and opened the gates of Jewish spiritual consciousness. But why a wedding on the day of someone's passing? This class explores the paradox at the heart of both life and love: how our greatest limitations can be our most profound doorways to infinity.We'll explore Talmudic, Kabbalistic, and Chassidic sources—from the soul-body dynamic, to the power of mitzvot, to why life is likened to a wedding. You'll discover how the soul's “marriage” to the body mirrors our own sacred relationships and how Lag B'Omer invites us to celebrate the holiness hidden in the now.3 Takeaways:Life is a Wedding, Not a Waiting RoomRabbi Shimon taught us to stop postponing joy. Every mitzvah, every act of love, is a divine moment worth celebrating now—not later.Paradox is the Pathway to EternityThrough the union of opposites—soul and body, heaven and earth, law and love—we don't diminish ourselves. We become eternal.Kabbalah Illuminates the OrdinaryLag B'Omer marks the unveiling of the soul of Torah, where every halachah becomes a mystical spark and every moment a gateway to the Infinite#lagbaomer #zohar #Kabbalah #mysticism #Jewish #chassidic #chassidus #chabad #Hillula #soul #meaningoflife #meaning #JewishSpirituality #soul Support the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake... This illuminating Yoga Nidra practice, guides you through the Kabbalistic Sefirah of Hod, inviting you into the heart of divine humility, receptivity, and splendor.   As you let go of efforts and enter into the fluid state between sleep and wakefulness, experience the gentle orchestration of calm, helping loosen cognitive bounds, raising your energetic vibration, and opening the doorways to healing and bringing out the soft radiant glow from within you.   Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart, body, and soul. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan anchored in the theme of Hod as you transition your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork focusing on Left Nostril circular breathing on the theme of Hod Visualization:  Experience the concepts of Hod through vivid and imagery metaphor in a state of the deepest rest.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you set earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Smoothly transition back to your ordinary waking state. Background Music:  Sleep AM PM Meditation Relaxing Guitar, by BFCMusic from Pixabay   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com  Join WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dctsv246R8735S4oa6GWvW    May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

KABBALISTIC DIET | Torat HaChassidut (22)https://youtu.be/RcbjYs4mlHERebbe Elimelech of Lizhenzk's Tzetel Katan continues with dietary eating regiment of the elevated Chassidim and Mekubalim and this time, we get to the results. This may not change your diet, since its not so simple, but it will change your perspective on many things, especially the way you view the Torah scholars who live this way.

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake... In this episode, you are guided on a transformative journey into the Kabbalistic sefira of Netzach, the emanation of endurance, confidence, and eternity.  As the fourth of the seven lower divine emanations, Netzach represents the soul's relentless progression towards realization, transforming inspiration into flame. Through the practice of yoga nidra, you are invited to align with the eternal rhythm flowing within you, using breath and awareness to relax your body, mind, and soul and awaken the chords of confidence already within you.  This episode not only deepens your embodied understanding of Netzach, but also empowers you to harness your own resilience and vitality, providing a sense of cosmic eternity and the assurance that confidence resides within. Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart, body, and soul. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan anchored in the theme of Netzach as you transition your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork focusing on Right Nostril circular breathing  Polarities: Explore how you respond to contrasting experiences and train your body and mind to respond consciously rather than reactively.  Central Symbol:  Experience the concepts of Netzach through vivid metaphor in a state of the deepest rest.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you set earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Smoothly transition back to your ordinary waking state. Background Music: Music of Wisdom, Our Peaceful Ocean by Narek Mirzaei   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com  Join WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dctsv246R8735S4oa6GWvW    May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

Buddhist ground luminosity, Christian glory, Kabbalistic radiant presence… Ready to feel the glory for yourself?This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Have you ever felt surrounded by a radiant light during meditation—like basking in a sacred presence? In this deeply reflective episode, Charlie and Brian explore the mystical experience of glory, drawing from Buddhist luminosity, Kabbalah, and Christian mysticism to unlock the divine light within. Whether you've touched that brightness or are still searching, this episode illuminates the mystery with humor, honesty, and heart. Discover how detachment, inner peace, and luminous grace can reconnect us with the Kingdom of Heaven already in our midst.Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.Thank you for Tips / Donations: * https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett * https://patreon.com/cedorsett * https://cash.app/$CreationsPaths* Substack: New to The Seraphic Grove learn more For Educational Resource: https://wisdomscry.com --- A Christopagan Manifesto--- Answer to the Call: A Dream of an Oak ChurchSocial Connections: * BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.com * Threads https://www.threads.net/@creationspaths * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/#Christopagan #CreationSpirituality #ChristianWitch #Paganism #Esoteric #Magic #Druidry #Mysticism #Spirituality #Occult #WitchCraft #Wicca #IrishPaganism #CelticPaganism #Magick #Polytheism #Enchantment #chashmal #kavodChapters:00:00 Introduction: The Mystical Light Experience00:31 Historical and Religious Context01:45 Hosts Introduction and Episode Overview02:59 Personal Experiences with the Light04:07 Meditation and Mystical States06:17 Theological Insights and Controversies07:38 Practical Advice and Final Thoughts25:21 Meditation Exercise: Experiencing the Light Get full access to Creation's Paths at www.creationspaths.com/subscribe

In any darkness that you are going through, there is light. In your depression, in your anxiety, in your co-dependency, there is light. It's actually the darkest darkness that leads us to the light light.Rachy Friedlander is an Emotional Mastery Coach and a TEB Practitioner (TEB stands for Transforming the Experience-Based Brain.) In this fascinating interview, Rachy talks to us about the vital role that regulating our nervous system has on our body and our soul. If we have suffered from trauma in our lives, or our needs were unmet, or we felt like we were in survival mode for extended periods of time, our bodies hold those traumas and fears. Over time, we begin to operate in survival mode, even if no one is threatening us. Rachy talks about nervous system regulation so that we can FINALLY calm ourselves down and begin to feel safe. It's the feeling of safety that is the core of emotional healing. One way to begin feeling safe is to stop and focus on your breathing for a few minutes. You heart rate will slow down, and you will begin to feel safe. Once we feel safe, we can observe our emotions--anger, sadness, frustration, fear, happiness, melancholy, etc. It's important that we observe our emotions WITHOUT JUDGEMENT. Rachy goes on to explain the kabbalistic aspect of emotional healing. She tell us that every feeling, every emotion, every desire, every thought, every word, and every action that you have ever had, are having right now, or will have, is encompassed in the concept of All Is. Everything inside of you and outside of you is part of All Is. Everything (All) was put in place by Hashem (G-d) for our own good; to help us achieve our higher purpose. Ask yourself, "Am I safe right now?" Take into account what is realistically happening for you right now--WITHOUT JUDGEMENT. Don't judge your feelings or emotions; just observe what is. Creating safety and emotional regulation inside of yourself will slowly, over time, help you feel whole. Own your wholeness.Rachy has an incredible online course called, Becoming Your Own Therapist. This course, as well as more information on Rachy, and the opportunity to work with her to achieve your own healing, is offered on her website:https://www.coachrachy.com/aboutContact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

In this episode we explore the complex dynamics of challenging and accepting authority from a Kabbalistic perspective.  True spiritual growth involves understanding hierarchy not as a power structure, but as a system of unique roles. The key to challenging and accepting authority is maintaining individual autonomy, tuning into one's inner compass, questioning guidance respectfully, and recognizing that the ultimate authority is the Light of the Creator. By embracing personal Tikkun (soul's purpose), being open to mentorship, and distinguishing between ego-driven resistance and genuine spiritual inquiry, we can navigate authority with grace, humility, and a commitment to personal and collective evolution. Join us for the next episode of Weekly Energy Boost with @ElishevaBalas. Watch LIVE Sundays at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET on The Kabbalah Centre YouTube or catch the latest episode wherever you listen to podcasts.Find out more about our work, dig into our archives, and send us a message at: www.weeklyenergyboost.com.You can also help make Weekly Energy Boost possible by making a tax-deductible contribution at www.weeklyenergyboost.com/donate-today.

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake...   This practice focuses on the third sefirah-- emanation based on Kabbalistic teachings-- Tiferet.  Radiating from the heart center, Tiferet described as the heart of the tree of life and offers a space where compassion thrives within boundaries, creating harmony instead of conflict. This episode invites you to find stillness and alignment as you explore the convergence of dualities within your mind and body. During this Yoga Nidra session, you will journey inward, discovering the balance between awareness and rest, agency and surrender.    Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart, body, and soul. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan in the theme of Tiferet by focusing on integrating the right and left sides of the body as you transition your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork focusing on alternate nostril breathing to integrate the Right and Left sides of the subtle body. Polarities: Explore how you respond to contrasting experiences and train your body and mind to respond consciously rather than reactively.  Visualization:  Experience rapid visualization focused on the concepts of Tiferet through vivid metaphor.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you set earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Smoothly transition back to your ordinary waking state. Background Music: Binaural Flotation Meditation by Nature's Eye, from Pixabay   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com     May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The Sha'ar Hakavanot (collection of Kabbalistic teachings) writes that after one counts the Omer – meaning, after reciting the Beracha and then counting that day's number – one should offer a prayer for the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash. The text of this prayer is, "Harahaman Hu Yahazir Abodat Bet Hamikdash Limkomah Bimhera Beyamenu Amen" ("The Merciful One shall restore the service of the Temple to its place, speedily and in our days, Amen"). The reason for this practice is that according to most Halachic authorities, the Misva of counting the Omer applies nowadays Mi'de'rabbanan – by force of Rabbinic enactment – as opposed to Torah law. The Torah obligation of Sefirat Ha'omer applied only in the times of the Bet Hamikdash, when we offered the special Omer sacrifice, whereas nowadays, in the absence of Bet Hamikdash, when we cannot bring this offering, our counting is only commemorative. Therefore, after we count the Omer each night, we pray to God to rebuild the Bet Hamikdash so we can offer the Korban Ha'omer, and then we will be able to count in fulfillment of the actual Misva. And even according to those authorities (such as the Rambam) who maintained that Sefirat Ha'omer is required by Torah law nowadays, we offer a prayer that the Temple will be rebuilt so we can offer the Korban Ha'omer. This also answers the question addressed by the Halachic authorities as to why we do not recite the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu" the first time we count the Omer each year. As we know, whenever we perform a Misva that presents itself on infrequent occasions, we recite the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu." Seemingly, this should apply to Sefirat Ha'omer, as well, yet Halacha does not require reciting this Beracha before the counting of the Omer. The reason is that when we count the Omer, we are mindful of the fact that we count only as a commemoration of the actual Misva, which we cannot fulfill in its true form due to the absence of the Bet Hamikdash. The counting of the Omer thus evokes a degree of sorrow, and does not warrant the recitation of the festive "Shehehiyanu" blessing. Summary: It is customary to recite immediately after Sefirat Ha'omer a brief prayer for the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash: "Harahaman Hu Yahazir Abodat Bet Hamikdash Limkomah Bimhera Beyamenu Amen."

Good Shabbos Mevarachim Chodesh Iyar, Weekly Office Learning BH Thu, Apr 24 Summary from Otter.ai • 4:05 PM • 30 min plus • Weekly Learning Introduction and Purpose 0:05 • Focus on Kisurei Hachaim and Modern Relevance 1:18 • Yom HaShoah and Its Significance 3:30 • Counting the Omer and Halachot 6:01 • Customs and Practices During the Omer 8:55 • The Role of the Tannaim and Amoraim 9:10 • The Impact of Historical Events on Modern Practices 24:01 • Respecting Different Customs and Practices 29:21 • The Role of Reminders and Tools 29:35 • Conclusion and Final Thoughts 29:5 Cover Pic The Kaliver Rebbe Ztl who survived the Shoa and rebuilt Yiddishkeit in the holy land & beyond with all the United Souls - https://eligoldsmith.substack.com/ Itamar Asked - ChatGPT 4 Great questions! Let's go through each historical event and tie them to both their Jewish (Hebrew) and general (Gregorian) calendar context:

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake... In this episode, delve into a Yoga Nidra practice dedicated to the exploration of Gevurah, second of the lower seven sefirot, energetic emanations from Kabbalistic teachings. This practice is created to explore your inner strength, boundaries, and give direction to the energetic flow within you. As you settle into a space of stillness, you are guided to cultivate a sense of grounding, calm, and clarity as you traverse through the sheaths of consciousness from the body to the breath, mind, and soul.    Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Make sure you're fully supported and at ease, ready to embark on this journey of introspection. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart and soul, reflecting your life's orienting resolve and deepest truth. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan by focusing on each part of your body to rotate your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork to connect with the sefirah of Gevurah-discipline and restraint Visualization:  Experiencing a powerful visualization exploring the concepts of boundaries through creative colorful metaphor.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you set earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Smoothly transition back to your ordinary waking state, bringing with you the tranquility and love gained from this practice. Reconnect with your surroundings to integrate the peace and clarity into your daily life and embrace the essence of this season.  Background Music from Pixabay: Zen Walk from Amurich   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com     May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

What if the key to better relationships starts with how you treat yourself? In this soul-stirring episode, Wendy sits down with the brilliant Monica Berg—international speaker, Kabbalistic teacher, and author of Rethink Love, Fear is Not an Option, and The Gift of Being Different—to dive into the transformational concept of self-parenting. From healing childhood wounds to challenging limiting beliefs, Monica shares her personal journey of overcoming anorexia, perfectionism, and shame to become a “change junkie” who now helps others reclaim their inner light.   Together, Wendy and Monica explore how to distinguish compromise from sacrifice, why purpose isn't always a job title, and how taking radical responsibility can lead to spiritual freedom. Plus, you'll learn why sharing love might just be the most selfish (and soul-fueling) thing you can do.  

NA'ALEH YOGA: Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake...   This transformative Yoga Nidra journey activates the Kabbalistic emanation of Lovingkindness--the Sefirah of Chesed--to nurture your mind, body, and soul, exploring the depths of inner peace and emotional resilience. As you connect with the Kabbalistic teachings on the abundant flow of giving, you'll learn to radiate love both inward and outward, creating a ripple effect of kindness in the world. Allow yourself to be guided by visualization, breath awareness, and intention setting, as you dissolve inner resistances and unlock the abundant gifts waiting within you. Join us in this sacred space of rest and self-discovery, and flow with the abundance of chesed into your daily life.   Episode Summary: Here's what you can expect: Preparation: Begin by settling into a comfortable position. Make sure you're fully supported and at ease, ready to embark on this journey of introspection. Intention Setting: You will be guided to set a powerful Sankalpa/kavanah (intention) for this practice. Choose a meaningful, positive "I am..." statement that resonates with your heart and soul, reflecting your life's orienting resolve and deepest truth. Rotation of Consciousness: Experience a thorough body scan by focusing on each part of your body to rotate your consciousness into a state of deep healing rest.  Breath Awareness: Practice guided breathwork to connect with the sefirah of Chesed-Lovingkindness Visualization:  Rest in deep awareness experiencing a powerful visualization awakening you to the boundless love within.  Return to Your Intention: Reconnect with the intention you set earlier. Let it resonate deeply into your being. Externalization: Smoothly transition back to your ordinary waking state, bringing with you the tranquility and love gained from this practice. Reconnect with your surroundings to integrate the peace and clarity into your daily life and embrace the essence of this season.  Background Music: Music of Wisdom, Our Peaceful Ocean by Narek Mirzaei   Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga for more meditative Yoga Nidra journeys and transformative experiences. If you like this podcast, please share it with your friends or leave a comment on YouTube or the platform of your choice.   Feel free to reach out to me through the links below. I'd love to connect with you so don't be shy!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg YouTube Channel: @naalehyoga Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com     May you be peaceful and safe!  DISCLAIMER: This practice is NOT a medical treatment and NOT a replacement for medical treatment. Although this is a very safe, non-invasive meditative practice, this podcast does not take responsibility for any undesired experiences. This is a holistic psychospiritual practice that can be a beneficial adjunct to other treatment methods.   

The "Ke'ara" is the plate which we keep on the table throughout the Seder, and it contains all the special foods eaten at the Seder. One should ensure that the plate contains all the foods throughout the Seder. Meaning, after one partakes of the Karpas, for example, he should keep some leftover Karpas on the Ke'ara. Even though one has already passed that stage of the Seder, it is important that the Ke'ara has on it all the foods, even the Karpas. The salt water, into which one dips the Karpas, does not have to be on the Ke'ara. The custom in our community is to eat specifically celery, which is the food denoted by the word "Karpas." This is the custom that one should follow, as the word "Karpas" alludes to the "Perech Samech" – the backbreaking labor endured by the 600,000 Israelite men in Egypt. Furthermore, Rav Haim Vital (1543-1620) taught that the according to Kabbalah, the numerical value of the word "Karpas" (360) is very significant and alludes to different Names of the Almighty. Before eating the Karpas, we wash our hands the way we do before eating bread. That is, we pour water three times on the right hand and then three times on the left hand. The only difference is that no Beracha is recited upon this washing. It should be noted that the requirement to wash before Karpas relates to a general Halacha that is not connected specifically to Pesah. All year round, before one eats a fruit or vegetable that is moistened with a liquid, he must first wash his hands, without a Beracha. For example, people generally wash grapes and apples before eating them. Assuming the fruit is still wet when one eats it, he must first perform Netilat Yadayim, without a Beracha, before eating. We therefore wash our hands before eating the Karpas which is dipped in salt water. The Kaf Ha'haim laments the fact that most people are unaware of this Halacha, and they wash Netilat Yadayim before Karpas but not before eating wet foods other times during the year. We dip the Karpas in salt water in order to do something unusual that will arouse the children's curiosity at the Seder. Normally, at that point in the meal we eat bread. When they see that we instead dip celery in salt water, they will find this unusual and ask questions. There are also many Kabbalistic concepts underlying the dipping of Karpas, so one must ensure to properly observe this and all customs at the Seder in accordance with tradition. Several works mention the importance of saying or singing the names of the various stages of the Seder (Kadesh, U'rhatz, Karpas, Yahatz, etc.). Before one begins each stage, he should say or sing all the stages starting from Kadesh, and then stop upon reaching the current stage. Before Karpas, for example, one would recite, "Kadesh, U'rhatz, Karpas." The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) expounded upon the Kabbalistic significance of each of these words. One must not belittle or neglect these or other traditional customs, as they are all based upon profound, underlying meaning and wisdom. Summary: One washes Netilat Yadayim without a Beracha before Karpas and anytime he prepares to eat a food that is wet. One should use specifically celery for Karpas. After eating the Karpas, one should still make sure that some Karpas remains on the Seder plate. It is proper before each stage of the Seder to state all the stages from Kadesh until the current stage.

NA'ALEH YOGA: Yoga Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake...   In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Rav Benji Elson, whose work bridges Kabbalistic wisdom, nature-based spirituality, psychological healing, and personal transformation. Rav Benji is the author of Dance of the Omer, a book exploring the mystical journey of counting the Omer as a path to self-refinement. Our conversation explores how ancient Kabbalistic teachings, particularly the Sefirot, offer a powerful framework for healing, inner growth, and spiritual surrender—elements that are highly relevant to our upcoming series of Yoga Nidra practices themed on the Kabbalistic Sefirot. We discuss the intersection of Jewish mysticism, embodied meditation, and traditional psychology as transformative tools for deep healing and personal growth.   Rav Benji Elson's bio: Rav Benji Elson, LMSW is a passionate instructor of embodied Jewish practice, a psychotherapist, an author, a musician, a Jewish environmental educator, and a transformative experience facilitator who has been privileged to share his impactful self-transformation and Jewish psychology teachings globally, including in cities across the U.S., Israel, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Finland, Zambia, South Africa, and India.​ Benji's acclaimed book and course, Dance of the Omer, integrates Jewish psychology, kabbalah, chassidut, embodied practices, meditation, state-of-the-art therapeutic modalities, and nature connection, offering participants a unique path to personal transformation. He is currently writing a second self-transformation guidebook on Elul and Tishrei (the High Holidays). ​ As a psychotherapist, Benji works with individuals, couples, and families, utilizing a diverse array of cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, IFS, DBT, CBT, KAP, NLP, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness, Regressions, and more.​ Rabbi Benji is also the co-founder and director of Sod Siach, an innovative EcoTorah Discovery Program that combines weekly text-study classes, hands-on workshops, and experiential field trips to promote sustainable Jewish living through Torah & the Land. Previously, Benji served as Educational Director and Lead Transformational Facilitator of Shebet Haaretz, leading transformational Jewish jungle expeditions to reconnect participants with themselves, spirituality, Judaism, and the world. On a more personal note, Benji's colorful life experiences include living in two veggie-oil-fueled mobile homes, shepherding goats in the Jerusalem hills, meditating in Indian ashrams, living & working on Jewish farms around the globe, and volunteering in remote African villages.   Here is where to find Rav Benji Elson: HOME | Elson Psychotherapy THE DANCE OF THE OMER COURSE | Elson Psychotherapy benji@elson-psychotherapy.com Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga Podcast for more transformative journeys and feel free to share this podcast with a friend. Take a moment to review and share your thoughts—I always appreciate your feedback!  Feel free to reach out!  Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg Therapy Practice: Mental Fitness Therapy Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com     May you be peaceful and safe! 

In Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism (Stanford University Press, 2025), Eli Rubin provides a comprehensive intellectual and institutional history of Chabad Hasidism through the Kabbalistic concept of ṣimṣum. The onset of modernity, Eli Rubin argues, was heralded by this startling idea: existence itself is predicated on a self-inflicted "rupture" in the infinite assertion of divinity. Centuries of theoretical disputations concerning ṣimṣum ultimately morphed into religious and social schism. These debates confronted the meaning of being and forged the animating ethos of Chabad, a dynamic movement in modern Judaism. Chabad's distinctive character and self-image, Rubin shows, emerged from its spirited defense of Hasidism's interpretation of ṣimṣum as an act of love leading to rapturous reunion. This interpretation ignited a literal conflagration, complete with book burnings, denunciations, investigations, and arrests. Chabad's subsequent preoccupation with ṣimṣum was equally significant for questions of legitimacy, authority, and succession, as for existential questions of being and meaning. Unfolding the story of Chabad from the early modern period to the twentieth century, this book provides fresh portraits of the successive leaders of the movement. Innovatively integrating history, philosophy, and literature, Rubin shows how Kabbalistic ideas are crucially entangled in the experience of modernity and in the response to its ruptures. Interviewee: Eli Rubin is a contributing editor at Chabad.org and received his PhD from the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London. Host: Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press). Visit him online at ZalmanNewfield.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

In Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism (Stanford University Press, 2025), Eli Rubin provides a comprehensive intellectual and institutional history of Chabad Hasidism through the Kabbalistic concept of ṣimṣum. The onset of modernity, Eli Rubin argues, was heralded by this startling idea: existence itself is predicated on a self-inflicted "rupture" in the infinite assertion of divinity. Centuries of theoretical disputations concerning ṣimṣum ultimately morphed into religious and social schism. These debates confronted the meaning of being and forged the animating ethos of Chabad, a dynamic movement in modern Judaism. Chabad's distinctive character and self-image, Rubin shows, emerged from its spirited defense of Hasidism's interpretation of ṣimṣum as an act of love leading to rapturous reunion. This interpretation ignited a literal conflagration, complete with book burnings, denunciations, investigations, and arrests. Chabad's subsequent preoccupation with ṣimṣum was equally significant for questions of legitimacy, authority, and succession, as for existential questions of being and meaning. Unfolding the story of Chabad from the early modern period to the twentieth century, this book provides fresh portraits of the successive leaders of the movement. Innovatively integrating history, philosophy, and literature, Rubin shows how Kabbalistic ideas are crucially entangled in the experience of modernity and in the response to its ruptures. Interviewee: Eli Rubin is a contributing editor at Chabad.org and received his PhD from the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London. Host: Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press). Visit him online at ZalmanNewfield.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism (Stanford University Press, 2025), Eli Rubin provides a comprehensive intellectual and institutional history of Chabad Hasidism through the Kabbalistic concept of ṣimṣum. The onset of modernity, Eli Rubin argues, was heralded by this startling idea: existence itself is predicated on a self-inflicted "rupture" in the infinite assertion of divinity. Centuries of theoretical disputations concerning ṣimṣum ultimately morphed into religious and social schism. These debates confronted the meaning of being and forged the animating ethos of Chabad, a dynamic movement in modern Judaism. Chabad's distinctive character and self-image, Rubin shows, emerged from its spirited defense of Hasidism's interpretation of ṣimṣum as an act of love leading to rapturous reunion. This interpretation ignited a literal conflagration, complete with book burnings, denunciations, investigations, and arrests. Chabad's subsequent preoccupation with ṣimṣum was equally significant for questions of legitimacy, authority, and succession, as for existential questions of being and meaning. Unfolding the story of Chabad from the early modern period to the twentieth century, this book provides fresh portraits of the successive leaders of the movement. Innovatively integrating history, philosophy, and literature, Rubin shows how Kabbalistic ideas are crucially entangled in the experience of modernity and in the response to its ruptures. Interviewee: Eli Rubin is a contributing editor at Chabad.org and received his PhD from the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London. Host: Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press). Visit him online at ZalmanNewfield.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism (Stanford University Press, 2025), Eli Rubin provides a comprehensive intellectual and institutional history of Chabad Hasidism through the Kabbalistic concept of ṣimṣum. The onset of modernity, Eli Rubin argues, was heralded by this startling idea: existence itself is predicated on a self-inflicted "rupture" in the infinite assertion of divinity. Centuries of theoretical disputations concerning ṣimṣum ultimately morphed into religious and social schism. These debates confronted the meaning of being and forged the animating ethos of Chabad, a dynamic movement in modern Judaism. Chabad's distinctive character and self-image, Rubin shows, emerged from its spirited defense of Hasidism's interpretation of ṣimṣum as an act of love leading to rapturous reunion. This interpretation ignited a literal conflagration, complete with book burnings, denunciations, investigations, and arrests. Chabad's subsequent preoccupation with ṣimṣum was equally significant for questions of legitimacy, authority, and succession, as for existential questions of being and meaning. Unfolding the story of Chabad from the early modern period to the twentieth century, this book provides fresh portraits of the successive leaders of the movement. Innovatively integrating history, philosophy, and literature, Rubin shows how Kabbalistic ideas are crucially entangled in the experience of modernity and in the response to its ruptures. Interviewee: Eli Rubin is a contributing editor at Chabad.org and received his PhD from the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London. Host: Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press). Visit him online at ZalmanNewfield.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Amy Hale is an Atlanta based writer and critic with a PhD in Folklore and Mythology from UCLA. Her research interests include contemporary magical practice and history, art, culture, women and Cornwall. She has written widely on artist and occultist Ithell Colquhoun, and has been an academic advisor to the 2025 Colquhoun retrospective Ithell Colquhoun: Between Worlds at Tate St. Ives and Tate Britain. She wrote the first scholarly biography of Colquhoun, Ithell Colquhoun Genius of the Fern Loved Gulley followed by the collection Sex Magic: Diagrams of Love, (Tate Publishing, 2024).Her book, Beyond the Supernatural: Magic in Contemporary Art is due to be published with Tate Publishing in 2026.Amy's WebsiteInstagramTreadwell's Lecture Series – here and hereIthell Colquhoun (1906 –1988) "One of the most radical artists of her generation, Ithell Colquhoun was an important figure in British Surrealism during the 1930s and 1940s. An innovative writer and practicing occultist, Colquhoun charted her own course, investigating surrealist methods of unconscious picture-making and fearlessly delving into the realms of myth and magic. She explored the possibilities of a divine feminine power as a path to personal fulfilment and societal transformation. Her understanding of the world as a connected spiritual cosmos brought her to Cornwall, where she deepened her creative explorations, inspired by the region's ancient landscape, Celtic traditions, and sacred sites."From Ocula.com Guardian article on Ithell We talked about:Some of Ithell's most iconic paintings and where she fits in the story of art Surrealism and the lack of women Fascinating developments in automatism and understandings of the subconscious Colour theory and magic, from the Golden Dawn, anthroposophy and theosophy Being an outsider...her relationship to occult and artist groups Sex magic Artists who don't receive recognition in their lifetimes In the extended episode: The Kabbalistic tree of life, The Golden Dawn and their influence on Ithell's colour theory and palette Crowley's table of correspondences Colour mixing The story of Amy's Sex Magic contract with the Tate Extended AND video episodes available at www.patreon.com/lucyhpearce Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The Gemara in Masechet Yoma emphasizes the importance of taking three steps back after completing the Amida, commenting that if one did not do this properly, then it would have been preferable for him not to have prayed at all. In a sense, failing to take three steps back after the Amida almost invalidates the prayer. After stepping back, one recites, "Oseh Shalom Bi'mromav…" The simple understanding of the requirement to take three steps back is that it displays respect and reverence to G-d. After standing in the Almighty's presence, we cannot just leave; this would be disrespectful. We instead reverently step backwards, facing Hashem. We step back first with our left foot, showing that we are reluctant to leave, and we do so starting with our weaker foot. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) offers a different explanation, based on Kabbalistic teaching. When we stand before G-d and recite the Amida, he writes, we are in the realm of "Asilut." And once we finish, we must pass through the realms of "Beri'a" and "Yesira" to return to our world, the realm of "Asiya." We thus take three steps, corresponding to the three stages of our return to this realm. After one take the three steps back and recites "Oseh Shalom," he remains in place with his feet together until the time for the recitation of "Nakdishach." At that point, one takes three steps forward – starting with his right foot – and keeps his feet together for "Nakdishach." The Kaf Ha'haim (Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Jerusalem, 1870-1939) writes that if "Nakdishach" begins immediately after one takes his three steps back, then he should right away take his three steps forward for "Nakdishach," without waiting. If, before "Nakdishach," he needs to step outside, such as to use the restroom, then he does not first take three steps forward. He leaves, and returns to the spot where he was standing, and then takes three steps forward. If one prays privately, and thus "Nakdishach" is not being recited, then after he takes three steps back and recites "Oseh Shalom," he remains in place for the amount of time needed to walk four Amot – approximately 3-4 seconds – and then takes three steps forward, starting with his right foot. The Gemara strongly condemns one who takes three steps forward immediately, without pausing several seconds, as this shows that his three steps back were not taken out of respect and reverence. Ideally, before one begins the Amida, he should ensure that he has enough room to take three full steps – toe to heel – backwards after the Amida. However, the Ben Ish Hai writes, if one does not have enough room to take three full steps back, then he takes three smaller steps. Summary: After one completes the Amida, he takes three steps back, starting with his left foot, recites "Oseh Shalom," and remains in place with his feet together until "Nakdishach," at which point he takes three steps forward, starting with his right foot, for "Nakdishach." If he prays privately, he should wait 3-4 second and then take three steps forward. Ideally, before one begins the Amida, he should ensure that he has enough room to take three full steps – toe to heel – backwards after the Amida. However, if one does not have enough room to take three full steps back, he takes three smaller steps.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The widespread custom among all Sephardic communities is to recite "Viduy," or confession, immediately following the Amida both at Shaharit and at Minha. This custom is based upon passages in the Zohar (the principal text of Kabbala) and the writings of the Arizal (Rabbi Yishak Luria, 1534-1572). We introduce "Viduy" with the recitation of "Ana Hashem Elokenu V'Elokeh Abotenu…" After "Viduy," we proceed to the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy ("Hashem, Hashem…") and Nefilat Apayim ("Le'David…"). The Arizal instructed that the "Viduy" should be recited according to the sequence of the Hebrew alphabet. We thus begin with "Ashamnu" – a word that starts with the letter "Alef" – followed by "Bagadnu," and so on. When we come to the letters that take on a different form when appearing at the end of a word ("Kaf," "Mem," "Nun," "Peh" and "Sadi"), we recite two words with that letter. Thus, for example, for "Kaf" we recite "Kizabnu" and "Ka'asnu," and for the letter "Mem" we recite "Maradnu" and "Marinu Debarecha." This was the position of the Arizal, and the custom in Yeshivat Bet El, as documented by the Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Parashat Ki-Tisa. The entire confessional text in recited in plural form. For example, we recite "Ashamnu" ("We bear guilt"), as opposed to "Ashamti" ("I bear guilt"), and so on. The Sha'ar Hakavanot writes that one must recite the entire "Viduy" even if he knows with certainty that he has not transgressed one or several of the violations enumerated in the "Viduy" text. It is possible that he has transgressed the given violation in a previous Gilgul (incarnation of the soul), or that a person whose soul is connected to his soul is guilty of that transgression. He may have also unwittingly caused others to violate the sin, or perhaps violated a sin resembling the transgression in question. For all these reasons, one should not skip any part of the "Viduy" even if he thinks he has not violated one of the sins mentioned. "Viduy" must be recited while standing (Masechet Yoma 87). During the "Viduy" recitation, one may not lean on a wall or piece of furniture in a manner such that he would fall if that object would be suddenly moved. While reciting the list of sins ("Ashamnu…"), one should bow slightly as an expression of humble submission. It is customary for both the Hazan and the congregation to recite "Viduy" in a whisper, rather than in a loud, audible voice. Even a person praying privately, who does not recite the Thirteen Attributes, recites "Ana" and the "Viduy." If a person who had already recited "Viduy" happens to be present in a synagogue when the congregation recites "Viduy," he is not required to join them, though it is proper for him to recite the words, "Hatati Aviti Pashati" while they recite "Viduy." One may recite "Viduy" during the nighttime hours, except on Mosa'eh Shabbat, until Hasot (midnight as defined by Halacha). In fact, according to Kabbalistic teaching, one should recite "Viduy" before he goes to sleep, along with his recitation of the bedtime Shema. The Kaf Ha'haim (Rabbi Yaakov Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939) cites this custom (in 239:2) in the name of the Arizal. It is customary, however, not to recite "Viduy" with the bedtime Shema on a night following a day when Nefilat Apayim is omitted. Thus, for example, on the night following Shabbat, Rosh Hodesh or holidays, one should not recite "Viduy" with the bedtime Shema. The Ben Ish Hai mentions this Halacha in Parashat Ki Tisa (7). This discussion relates only to the recitation of "Viduy," and not to the Thirteen Attributes or Nefilat Apayim, which one should not recite at nighttime. Needless to say, "Viduy" should not be recited on Shabbat or holidays.

In this episode of In Search of More, Eli Nash sits down with Rav Avshi Weingot to explore the intersection of personal spirituality and Jewish mysticism, particularly through the lens of the Remak and Kabbalah. They discuss the relevance of Kabbalistic teachings in modern life, touching on themes of identity, trauma, and the pursuit of deeper meaning. Rav Avshi emphasizes the importance of joy and authenticity in spiritual practice, advocating for a connection to faith rooted in love rather than obligation. The conversation also delves into the balance between tradition and personal growth, highlighting how struggles can serve as pathways to transformation and deeper connection with the divine.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** There is a prevalent custom among the Sepharadim to gesture with one's hands to the right and to the left before beginning the Amida prayer. The custom is to gesture three times to the individual standing to one's right, and then three times to the person to the left. The Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) records this custom in Parashat Beshalah and writes that this is done for reasons based on Kabbalistic teachings. Additionally, however, the Ben Ish Hai provides a reason on the level of "Peshat" (the simple, straightforward understanding). We describe in the prayer service the procedure by which the angels in heaven praise God, and how the angels would receive permission from one another before beginning the praise, so that the praise would be recited in unison ("Ve'notenim Reshut Ze La'ze"). As we begin our prayer service, we seek to resemble the heavenly angels, and we therefore turn to those standing next to us as though asking permission to begin our prayer, just as the angels do before beginning their praise of God. Rav Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1869), in his Kaf Ha'haim, suggests a slightly different explanation. Just before the Amida service in Shaharit and Arbit, we recall the miracle of the splitting of the sea, and the song of praise sung by Beneh Yisrael after the miracle. We emphasize the fact that the entire nation sang this song of praise in unison ("Yahad Kulam Hodu Ve'himlichu…"). At Minha, too, we recite just before the Amida the verse, "Vi'barech Kol Basar Shem Kodsho" ("All flesh shall bless His holy Name" – Tehilim 145:21), emphasizing the fact that all people join together in praising God. We therefore turn to each other before beginning the Amida as an expression of this theme of joint, collective praise for the Almighty. It should be noted that during Minha and Arbit, these gestures should be made not immediately before the Amida, but rather during the Kaddish, as one answers "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba Mebarach…" This is as opposed to Shaharit, when one should make the gestures just before he begins the Amida prayer. Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his Halichot Olam, writes that when gesturing during "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" one must ensure not to become so preoccupied with gesturing that he does not properly concentrate on what he says. Even while gesturing, one should make a point to concentrate on the words of "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba…" Summary: The Sephardic custom is to gesture with one's hands three times to the right and then three times to the left before beginning the Amida. At Shaharit, this is done just before one begins the Amida, and during Minha and Arbit one gestures while reciting "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" during the Kaddish before the Amida.

This week, we're unveiling a step-by-step guide to discovering and fully embracing your purpose:Begin each day with a clear intention to express your deepest desire—to give, to contribute, and to create value in alignment with your true calling. Seek out opportunities to transform ordinary moments into meaningful ones by consciously asking yourself how you can make a difference. And rather than resisting feelings of jealousy or comparison, recognize them as signposts, guiding you toward what truly matters to you.  When approached with awareness, even these emotions can accelerate the revelation of your purpose.Join us for the next episode of Weekly Energy Boost with @ElishevaBalas and @EitanYardeni. Watch LIVE Mondays at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET on The Kabbalah Centre YouTube or catch the latest episode wherever you listen to podcasts.he highest version of yourself—the one your soul is destined to become—already exists within you! The LIMITLESS: Manifest Your Highest Self Through the Wisdom of Kabbalah course is designed to help you experience breakthroughs, so your ability to access it becomes LIMITLESS. This 10 week journey with Eitan & Elisheva starts Tuesday, March 4th on Zoom, are you ready to delve deep into the Kabbalistic teachings direct from their source to unlock more of your soul's potential? Join us: discover.kabbalah.com/limitlessVisit www.weeklyenergyboost.com to learn more about what we discuss each week.You can also help make Weekly Energy Boost possible by making a tax-deductible contribution at  www.weeklyenergyboost.com/donate-today.

For more than a decade, Rav Doniel's open and compassionate teachings have been a catalyst for change in the lives of thousands of people worldwide. Born and raised in Australia, Rav Doniel abandoned his award-winning film and theatre career in his mid-twenties after a year of intensive spiritual awakening. Exploring many wisdom paths and traditions in search of deeper clarity to explain his experiences, he was finally led to Jerusalem in 2000. Since then, he has spent nearly two decades immersed in the world of Torah and Kabbalistic teachings, learning from some of the city's great rabbis and spiritual masters. For more information visit his website www.elevationproject.com ____________________________________________________ Order the brand new Meaningful People Game! https://meaningfulminute.org/thegame ____________________________________________________ ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp ____________________________________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka https://pushka.cc/meaningful __________________________________________________ ► Atica At Atica, our collections celebrate a concept we call quiet luxury—timeless style, crafted with care, and built to last Mention Meaningful to get 3 shirts for $100! https://aticaman.com/ __________________________________________________ ► Rothenberg Law Firm - Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out today for a free case evaluation https://shorturl.at/TsoU6 ____________________________________________________ ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ____________________________________________________ ►Project Inspire Weekend Register for the Project Inspire Convention Today! March 7th - March 9th 2025 https://www.projectinspire.com/convention/ ____________________________________________________ ► ILS - Ordering title should not be a surprise https://ilstitle.com/ ____________________________________________________ ► Lalechet -  We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish. https://www.lalechet.com/website ____________________________________________________   ► Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. https://apple.co/2WALuE2 https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO

For more than a decade, Rav Doniel's open and compassionate teachings have been a catalyst for change in the lives of thousands of people worldwide. Born and raised in Australia, Rav Doniel abandoned his award-winning film and theatre career in his mid-twenties after a year of intensive spiritual awakening. Exploring many wisdom paths and traditions in search of deeper clarity to explain his experiences, he was finally led to Jerusalem in 2000. Since then, he has spent nearly two decades immersed in the world of Torah and Kabbalistic teachings, learning from some of the city's great rabbis and spiritual masters. For more information visit his website www.elevationproject.com ____________________________________________________ Order the brand new Meaningful People Game! https://meaningfulminute.org/thegame ____________________________________________________ ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp ____________________________________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka https://pushka.cc/meaningful __________________________________________________ ► Atica At Atica, our collections celebrate a concept we call quiet luxury—timeless style, crafted with care, and built to last Mention Meaningful to get 3 shirts for $100! https://aticaman.com/ __________________________________________________ ► Rothenberg Law Firm - Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out today for a free case evaluation https://shorturl.at/TsoU6 ____________________________________________________ ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ____________________________________________________ ►Project Inspire Weekend Register for the Project Inspire Convention Today! March 7th - March 9th 2025 https://www.projectinspire.com/convention/ ____________________________________________________ ► ILS - Ordering title should not be a surprise https://ilstitle.com/ ____________________________________________________ ► Lalechet -  We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish. https://www.lalechet.com/website ____________________________________________________   ► Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. https://apple.co/2WALuE2 https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO