kabbalah5

What is "Authentic Kabbalah"

2007-02-12T19:22:00Z

The authentic Kabbalah is based on the main writings of the masters as:

The Zohar - Rabbi Shim'hon Bar Yo'hai

Kitve HaAri - Ari Z'al

Most, if not all of the other recognized masters as R. Ashlag, Ramhal, Baal Shem Tov etc., have written or clarified ideas or concepts based mostly on these two works.

The authentic Kabbalah is based on the systems of Sephirot or Partsufim - configurations, it explains the guidance of the worlds, and all the interactions between the superior energies and man, as explained by the Ari Z'al.

It is not a 1 2 3 "feel good" type of knowledge that one can learn fast and free. It requires a serious investment of time and effort.

It is not for everybody, but only for those that yearn to serve their Creator with their maximum capabilities.

what we learn in the Kabbalah

2007-02-12T19:12:00Z

In the Kabbalah we learn how and why G-od created the world, in what way He governs it, the provenance of the souls and angels, the purpose of the existence of evil, the systems that are put in place for the true guidance of the worlds, and more.

The Kabbalah teaches the unfolding of the worlds, the various powers of influence on these worlds, the role of man in the creation, the will of the Creator and so on. It explains in details; the creation of the present and previous worlds, the different lights or energies that make their guidance, the final goal of man and the creation.

The Kabbalah explains often allegorically, the beginning of creation as well as all the dynamic systems that are put in place to interact with man, and for the guidance of the worlds. These systems make us understand the purpose of our actions, their interactions with the superior realms, the hidden messages and meanings in the Torah. With a deeper understanding of the reasons and goals of all these actions, one could definitely ascend to a higher level of service and closeness to his Creator.

In the Kabbalah, one can find all these answers and the exact reasons, and effects of all our rituals, prayers and actions. When one decides that he wants to know his Creator, in learning this science he ascends to a higher level of action and superior understanding and thus live and feel a more intense relation with his Creator. He will also realize his smallness compared to these incredible forces, the perfection of the Lord and His infinite love for His creatures.

Prayer in the Kabbalah

2007-02-12T19:08:00Z

The order of the prayers is based on the systems of ascension of the worlds, as explained in the Kabbalah. The purpose of this ascension of the worlds is to provoke a union between the masculine and feminine configurations, that they might bestow positive energies as a result of this harmony. At this level of comprehension, we understand that our prayers have a direct influence on the superior worlds, and on their guidance.

Beginning with the first act of the morning of Netilat Yadayim (washing of the hands three times in alternation), until the end of the Tefilah, there is a constant elevation and adhesion of the worlds of 'Asiah (action), Yetsirah (formation) and Beriah (creation) to the fourth highest world of Atsilut (emanation). This is done by the Hekhalot (portals); they are the different levels of ascension of the prayers before reaching the world of Atsilut during the ‘Amidah. Their principal function is to allow the adhesion and attachment of these worlds in a precise order.

During the prayers, when one knows this system of ascension of the Hekhalot, he concentrates on the words or the names, by which is hinted the precise action of the Hekhal (portal) that makes this ascension. See fig. 28

To get from one world to the next, a secret name called MaV (42), which is hinted at during the Kadish, makes this ascension possible. This secret name of 42 letters is made with the four letters of the name י-ה-ו-ה, the Miluy (spelling) of each one of the four letters for a total of ten letters, and the Miluy of each one of these ten letters for a total of twenty eight. This name is hinted when we answer Yehe Sheme ….. until - Be’alma. The Kadish makes possible the ascent of each world to the next higher world and the descent afterwards from the world of Atsilut to ‘Asiah.

The goal of all the prayers is to help prepare the different masculine and feminine configurations for their Zivug (union). It is only once they are united that our “Avodah” (work - duty) is done, and because of this higher harmony we can now receive from above.

There can be abundance only when the masculine and the feminine are in full harmony. Each day, according to the actions of man, the prayers during the week, Shabbat or Holidays, and depending on time, various configurations allow different Zivugim (unions), and therefore outflows of abundance of variable intensities.

Each new day is of a new emanation that governs it. For each day, there are new configurations of different aspects of the masculine configuration Z’A and his feminine Nukva.

A full day is divided in two: day and night; and each half is again divided in two (dawn and day, dusk and night). For each part, there is a prayer, for the two parts of day - Sha'hrit and Min'ha, and for the two parts of nights - 'Arvit and Tikun 'Hatsot.

Generally, the Zivugim - unions of the configurations are:

· Sha'hrit - configurations Ya'acov and Ra'hel
· Min'ha – configurations Israel and Leah
· 'Arvit – configurations Ya'acov and Leah (from the chest up)
· Tikun 'Hatsot – configurations Ya'acov and Leah (from the chest down)
· The union of configurations Israel and Ra'hel is realized during the prayer of Musaf on Shabbat and on other special occasions.

When one understands the systems and actions of the prayers, he realizes the importance of our rituals, because man by praying, acts directly on these incredible forces.

Kavanah - concentration

To reach a more active role in the unification of the different configurations, one needs to understand and concentrate when praying. There are different levels of Kavanah - concentration. The basic Kavanah is to understand the words, and concentrate on the intention of the blessing or the prayer. The higher level is to meditate on the different systems of permutation of names and configurations, to get a particular action or result. Each word or part of the prayers has its own action or purpose. These actions are initiated by concentrating on the different names of G-od, their appellations and other arrangements of the Autiot – letters.
As we can see, every element of the prayers, whether physical or spiritual, has very deep and essential meanings to give important forces and power to the one praying. It is a pity that these powerful and beautiful rituals are taken mistakenly for “folkloric recitations” in an incomprehensible language, part of “one has to do” type of thing when attending a prayer in a synagogue.

By making the effort to understand the deeper meanings of these rituals, one will discover a whole new definition and reason for his special relationship with the higher worlds and his Creator

What is a Tikun

2007-02-12T19:06:00Z

Tikun in the Kabbalah is a very important notion. It shows, in a way, that everything that was created with a possibility of deficiency also has a potential to be rectified. In Hebrew, the word "Tikun" has different meanings; it can be understood as reparation or rectification but also as function, relation or action.

There are different types of Tikunim:

- Tikunim (reparations) that took place in the first emanations to repair the worlds.
- Tikunim (rectifications - relations) for the construction and inter-relations of the Sephirot and configurations.
- Tikunim (actions - functions) of certain configurations for the guidance of the world.
- Tikunim (rectifications) for the souls.

Tikunim (reparations) to repair the worlds

At the creation, when from the configuration of Adam Kadmon emerged the ten Sephirot of the feminine aspect of BaN (52), and the seven lower Sephirot broke. To sustain the recipients of these Sephirot after they broke, 288 sparks of their lights came down as well to keep them alive.
This important damage - Shvirat HaKelim – the breaking of the vessels needed to be repaired. A first Tikun was to help in the ascent of some of these fallen 288 sparks, and to repair the recipients that had broken when they fell, that they might return to their respective lights.

Tikunim (rectifications - relations) for the construction of the configurations

The Tikunim for the construction of the Partsufim - configurations are achieved by way of Zivug (union) of the higher masculine and feminine configurations, during which time the lower configuration will go through a period of gestation inside the feminine higher configuration, followed by its birth.

Tikunim (rectifications - relations) of the configurations for the guidance

There are also Tikunim of different configurations which are their actions, illuminations, and inter-relations in order to influence the guidance of the worlds. These Tikunim result in various illuminations of different intensities, depending on time and the actions of man.

Tikunim (rectifications) for the souls

A Tikun for a soul is its rectification because of its unfulfillment or to cleanse it from any defect. The Tikun for the soul is realized by the Gilgul (reincarnation) and by the 'Ibur (attachment). By accomplishing what he did not complete of the 613 Mitsvot, by rectifying an act or a damage he caused by his wrongdoings, man makes the necessary Tikun of his soul, which can now ascend to the higher realms and rejoin its source.

There are different types of Tikunim – rectifications for the soul, each one of its levels needs its own Tikun. Most men only have the lower level of Nefesh, and if they do the proper Tikun, they will acquire the succeeding levels - albeit one by one. A Tikun of a higher level can only be accomplished after all the preceding levels.

As long as one undertakes the Tikun of his soul within three reincarnations, he will reincarnate and return as needed to complete his Tikun. However, if he maintains his wrong behavior, he will not come back after the third reincarnation and this soul will be destroyed with no more chance of Tikun.

Tikun ‘Olam – general Tikun

Evil will disappear from this world and change to goodness, when all the general Tikunim - rectifications will be completed. The general Tikun is to bring back the world to its former state before the damage caused by the breaking of the vessels. A state of harmony where kindness, bounty and peace prevail and rigors are appeased, when all the fallen sparks of holiness will be bought back up to their origins because of all the positive behavior and acts of men. Consequently, the Sitra A'hra (negative force) will not be able to attach and nourish from the higher lights anymore and will cease to exist. G-od gave man an important role in the Tikun ‘Olam - general Tikun. It is now up to him to restore and make the necessary reparations to the world by observing His commandments, doing good deeds, and learning the ways of his Creator.

The final goal is to understand and accomplish His will, to deserve and merit closeness to His presence, and to finally help and participate in the revelation of His unicity to the world.

What is Kabbalah

2007-02-12T18:54:00Z

The Kabbalah is the mystical and esoteric explanation of the Torah. It teaches the unfolding of the worlds, the various ways of guidance of these worlds, the role of man in the creation, the will of the Creator and more. No other writings explain in details; the creation of this world and the ones above it, the lights or energies that influence its guidance, nor the final goal of everything. These writings are based on ancient Jewish texts and mostly on the Zohar.

The Kabbalah teaches us that the world is guided by an extremely complex system of forces or lights, which through their interactions provoke chain reactions that impact directly on man and the worlds. Each one of these reactions has numerous ramifications, with many details and results. It explains to us the true guidance of the world, so that we may understand the will of G-od. How and why He created the world, in what way He governs it, the provenance of the souls and angels, the purpose of the existence of evil, the reasons for the dualism of reward and punishment, etc.

The word Kabbalah comes from the verb Lekabel (to receive), but to receive it is first necessary to want, and to become a Keli (recipient) able to receive and contain this knowledge. The Kabbalah also demonstrates to us the importance of man, because only he, by getting closer to the Creator, can influence these incredible forces. For this, one has to elevate to a higher dimension of understanding, and start asking himself some very important questions like; “Why”, “What is the purpose of doing this act or this prayer”, “What are the outcomes of my actions” etc.

The other writings explain in the least details “how” to do, but only the Zohar and the Kabbalah explain to us the exact reasons, and effects of all our prayers and actions.

300th anniversary of the Ramhal

2007-02-12T18:31:00Z

In his short life the Ramhal has left us a tremendous legacy of works in all aspects of the Torah. From 'Messilat Yesharim" - The path of the just, to profound works on the secrets of the Kabbalah. For almost all of his life, he was persecuted by some rabbinical authorities of the time who mistakenly believed he was an impostor.

Like many great geniuses, Ramhal was recognized as such only after his death. The Gaon of Vilna declared that if Ramhal was still alive, he would have traveled to Italy on foot to learn from his wisdom. About Messilat Yesharim, he said:

“This book is witness to the greatness of its author, and his extraordinary vision of the human potential for elevation…”

The Maggid of Mezritch said:

“His generation did not merit this great man…. Many among our people, through lack of knowledge, have uttered on this saintly man calumny that was not justified.”

The project of 300

To do the Tikun and honor the memory of this genuine Tsadik who suffered tremendously during his short life time, activities will be organized simultaneously around the world to commemorate his 300^th birth anniversary.

When?

On the night of his Hilulah, the 26 of Iyar - Sunday night 13th of may 2007.

How?

By lighting a candle and have simultaneously on the date of his Hilulah, all types of activities dedicated to his memory and for his honor. The activities could be:

Conferences on his works

Study groups

Shiurim - course on one of his books

Hilulah etc.

The activities will be put on the site ramhal.org to inform the public and encourage maximum participation.