8 posts tagged “kabbalah”
I have probably ordered or bought (this year alone) more books than I am able to ingest, but I keeping doing it anyway, promising myself that someday (very soon) I will make the time to read them. Well, it doesn’t quite work that way. It is a balancing act that I may never perfect, and I will find myself schizophrenically devoting time to several books on a weekly (or daily) basis. Some of my books actually have long-standing, semi-permanent bookmarks in them. This is actually a good thing: I surprise myself by opening to a bookmark and being able to jump right back into the gist of a chapter after two weeks of neglect.
This month the book in question is one I may/may not have mentioned before, entitled Sacred Therapy by Estelle Frankel. Just today at lunch, as I was waiting in my car for my pick-up order of Kung Pao Chicken to be ready I managed to squeeze in a whopping two pages.
Mrs. Frankel makes it beautifully and amazingly clear the premise that nothing in mysticism or Kabbalah acts or functions independently. Everything corresponds to or is associated with something else. And in many instances (instances that have kept me coming back to Kabbalah for several years now) factors somehow tie together or, I think, reflect an important spiritual principle. It’s all good. And, it’s all related.
There are patterns within patterns in Kabbalah, and at the heart of all mystical study is the One Being or Force that we all seem to be circling, orbiting or (ultimately) gravitating towards. A very simple definition for something that cannot be defined: G-d, in my humble opinion is simply the most irresistible Force in the Universe, and the Desire of all desires.
In the two pages I was able to read earlier, Mrs. Frankel reminds us of what slavery (exile) and freedom truly encompass. She states that exile is often characterized by the one in exile being or becoming uncommunicative – unable to express their true feelings, or inhibited in some way from coherently expressing them (in other words, “The slave has no voice”). Using her own “anonymous” clientele from psychotherapy sessions as examples, Mrs. Frankel explains how self-expression, particularly truthful self-expression about one’s feelings can free an individual from being controlled (or enslaved) by that feeling.
What’s fascinating are the facts she shows as analogous. For example, in regards to the Passover or Pesach, the Hebrew term itself is actually a play on the words peh and sach which means, “the mouth speaks.” And, because the Israelites of the time of the Exodus were enslaved, they were incapable of (or inhibited from) expressing what they truly felt about their lives at that time. They had no voice. The being sent to rescue them, one of the Great Shepherds, Moses, surprisingly (and ironically) had a speech impediment, and originally did not, if you remember, want to “speak” before Pharaoh. And even though his brother Aaron may have initially spoken on Moses’ behalf, I like to believe that gradually, Moses began to speak directly to Pharaoh more and more – as both he (and the Hebrew nation) spiritually adjusted and grew in confidence and in faith.
Yet another correspondence Mrs. Frankel cites regards dibbur, the Hebrew word for speech. The root of this word (dalet-bet-reish) is shared with another Hebrew word related to this time period – midbar: desert. The Israelites were redeemed in the desert, and received the Torah in the desert. It seems as if this is telling us that in the silent expansiveness of the desert the Voice of Sinai spoke. The solitude and silence of one’s personal midbar must come before one’s true dibbur – the speech of the Soul.
One final note. The Haggadah is the prayer book used specifically for the Passover Seder. The word Haggadah itself means, “the telling.”
One of the fundamental principles in life is to share or give back when you either acquire something, learn something, or generally "make good." I've been trying to follow this tenet lately by blogging as much as possible, and talking about what I've learned about and through the study of Kabbalah.
One of my newest blogs is called [: shomer] which in Hebrew means "to guard," or "to keep." [:Shomer] asks the reader questions at the start such as (for example) what is our ultimate responsibility in life? This blog is an experiment of mine where I'm attempting not only to discover the answer to such questions but also to learn which questions to keep asking. The focus is on spirituality with an emphasis on Kabbalah, and additionally, I'm hoping to show others that one way that helps us answer the important questions is by using the spiritual tools of "guarding or keeping" spiritual precepts that serve to align us with Divine will.
The current focus of the site right now is on the spiritual importance of Counting the Omer.
Note: This Sunday, May 6th is Lag B'Omer the 33rd day of the Omer. This day signifies the passing of the author of the Sefer Ha-Zohar, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and is a day of immense energy and Light. To learn more about the Rashbi please go here and here.
- tsefiya.
If you're already familiar with the Kabbalah Centre's web presence, www.kabbalah.com, you are probably also familiar with their new Kabbalah.TV feature. I re-discovered it today in the course of a very hectic workday.
Registering for an account with the Kabbalah Centre Store is helpful, but not necessary to access some pretty great features on the Kabbalah.TV site. There are many (more than you would think) Free media clips, podcasts, videocasts, and projects to look at/listen to.
There is media on current/upcoming holidays, as well as a general 1/2 hour-long Introduction to Kabbalah. If you already have an account, the site lets you sign in under that Login info, and it will help you keep track of any online media (such as mp3 courses and videos) that you previously ordered. So, if you're so busy today that you need breathing space - just take five and study kabbalah.
Have a good week.
- tsefiya.
spiritual laws of the shattered vessel
Mrs. Frankel is a psychotherapist and ordained as a rabbinic pastor. In her own practice she blends the science of psychology and Jewish mysticism to heal her patients. This book will give you the rundown on the whole gamut of Jewish mysticism and mystical thought that includes Kabbalistic and Hasidic tradition among others. A true find.
Get to know yourself and Kabbalah with the Living Kabbalah System
It's all about You and your Growth... The LKS (Living Kabbalah System) is an amazing course that teaches you how to live in a deeper way in 23 days. It's an intensive self-paced study program that will also show you how to incorporate the principles of Kabbalah into your life in a practical manner. As a self-actualizing tool, it's wonderful, and integrates listening, meditation, and writing exercises.
COMPACT DISC: You listen to a new CD each day (for 23 days). The length of each is roughly 30-45 minutes. Each contains information, meditative practices (that you are walked through), visualization, and on the CDs your instructor may tell you to stop the disc at one point and to do the applicable writing exercise or [Light-Work] before continuing.
LKS WORKBOOK: You will write each day in your workbook section pertaining to each CD, in answer to thought-provoking questions. Interspersed throughout the workbook are all manner of Kabbalah-related material that will educate you, as well as Kabbalistic quotes and sayings.
JOURNAL: There is even a small Journal where you can jot down random thoughts, or use for brainstorming sessions.
K-TOOLS: These are handy plastic cards containing specific questions from those sections (or CD lessons) that will make the biggest impact on your soul and psyche. They are like handy reminders to keep you focused.
There are a few other gifts that I won't mention here, but I highly recommend this kit. It is of course, an investment - you could even say it's an investment in the education and growth of your soul. It's almost like having your own personal, psycho-analyzing, spiritual toolkit. Find out more about the LKS here, and order it here.
Life of the Worlds: Journeys in Jewish Sacred Music
© 2003 Five Souls Music.
Next to the beautiful Yemenite music of the late Ofra Haza, I would have to say that Richard Kaplan is a very close second. But actually, there is no comparison – both stand out as amazingly gifted beings. Mr. Kaplan, cantor, songwriter, and Ethnomusicologist, has created a very moving masterwork that comprises an immense collection of Sacred Jewish Music from the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, to name a few. Note: an Ethnomusicologist is someone who studies primitive and folk music of world cultures, and particularly the relationship between the music and the cultures from which it derives.
Mr. Kaplan's love for this music is very evident, and it is traditional and modern at the same time. Exotic instruments such as the dombek, kanun, oud, and Egyptian accordion are present. Musicians embodying Jews of the Diaspora (Moroccan, Algerian, Afghani, Egyptian, Sephardic, and American) are also well-represented.
If you have an interest in sacred music, or if you are looking for new Shabbat Zemirot, I highly recommend this CD. It would not only make an amazing gift, it would also serve as the perfect family heirloom to pass on.
You can purchase this CD from here.
A Wish can Change Your Life by Gahl Sasson and Steve Weinstein
This book contains self-actualization exercises that utilize Kabbalistic concepts, particularly the the Tree of Life configuration (the 10 Sefirot) that essentially can help you accomplish making something you desire (your wish) come true or come to life, so-to-speak. It provides a wealth of information on each of the 10 Sefirot including what they represent, their colors, numbers, and also meditation tools and methods.
I'm actually only into the third chapter of this book, but I'm having a lot of fun with it. If Kabbalah interests you, you'll enjoy this book and will definitely come away having learned something. I highly recommend this book because it will teach you about the primary concepts of Kabbalah, as well as the universality of Kabbalah.
Hello. My name is Ronni/aka/tsefiya/aka/tzaddi.pei.yud.hei. from the Hebrew. I have been studying Kabbalah for a mere 6 years now and, admittedly, still don’t know anything about it (or, actually, it’s more like - the more I read, the less I know). It remains fascinating to me though, and a major part of my time is spent lately with me trying to find creative ways to study it - while @ work, living life, & taking care of son and family. It is a tremendous challenge.
I hope to keep this blog fully functional. I thought that maybe if I incorporate parts of my own spiritual journey that it would at least keep me (if no one else) interested. I consider myself as being exiled in Alaska, so nearly anything I write to anyone is like a cry for help, or communication.
From time to time, you may find me using Hebrew/Kabbalistic terms in areas where I’m trying to describe a concept. I will attempt to clarify as a means of teaching. The word to teach in Hebrew also means to learn. And when you learn, it is also your responsibility to teach.
Our voxjourney begins. Welcome. and G-d bless.
Just Light,
Ronni.
