Spiritual Teaching from the Jewish Tradition
"Do not exalt any path above God. There are many paths that lead to God.
So people are capable of finding and following the ways that suit them,
provided they do not stand still." Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
"There is a Field…" from Garden of the Souls - Rebbe Nachman on Suffering
Is it not so that for human beings, the most purifying aspect of speech is rendered through words seeking forgiveness? This is essentially the inner meaning of Rosh Hashanah. Repentance (metanoia) - change of mind and heart through transforming charitable and prayerful words and acts of forgiveness.
Guidance in Contemplative Prayer from the Baal Shem Tov and his Circle
The" Breaking of the Vessels": the cosmic rupture at the beginning of the process of creation that enabled duality and evil to manifest in creation, for the sake of providing humanity with free choice; as a means toward the individual growth of awareness and integration with the Primordial Tiqqun.
Succot - Kinds of Joy
Joy is the central theme in the festival of Succot. The Torah stresses the idea that during this festival we should rejoice. The Mishnah and Talmud describe great all night celebrations in the Temple, brightly lit by massive oil lamps, in which huge crowds of men and women would gather and the leading Sages of the time would dance.
Meditation Basics – Condensed Version
Why meditate? People who desire to learn how to meditate often want to learn to relax, de-stress, quiet down their noisy minds. Meditation will do all of that and more. It will help you address an inner call/yearning to connect with the spiritual essence that resides within us all. When that inner essence is contacted and magnified, the other benefits will follow, including becoming a more productive participant in everyday life.
The Wisdom and Victory of Etty Hillesum
This 2 part series of talks touches upon the extraordinary life, struggle and ultimate victory of Etty Hillesum.
While her soul pined for her Lord from childhood, she found her Beloved and His Peace within the tribulations of a Nazi concentration camp.
The Baal Shem Tov on the Essential need for Prayer
“The first soul, comes from the side of unholiness, possessing the qualities of earth – laziness and sadness; fire – haughtiness and anger; water – desire for instinctual pleasures; air – enjoyment of fun, blabbing, self-grand standing. “The second soul is literally part of God above.”
A Cure for Indifference to God
According to the cardinal principle of the Hasidic Master, “let atar panui minei”,
no place in creation is devoid of God; God is everywhere.
Hasidism answers emphatically: “God is not indifferent; God is the answer to indifference.”
Tales of the Hasidim by Martin Buber
"And thou shalt see My back; but My face shall not be seen,” the rabbi of Kotzk said: “Everything puzzling and confused people see, is called God’s back. But no man can see his face, where everything is in harmony."
Mystical Wisdom from the Hebrew Sages
"... the way to sing the song of joy is by seeking the good in all people, especially in ourselves.
Each good point is one more note in the song of life."
When will I merit that the Light of the Shechinah abide with me?
"Your thought should always be secluded with the Shechinah,
thinking only of your continuous love for Her that She may be attached to you..."
Four Gates to Mastering the Self - Passover in Essence -
Think of yourself as a city. You have four magical gates: The Gate of Seeing, the Gate of Listening, the Gate of Imagining and the Gate of Speaking.
