The average family cannot trace their roots beyond 3 past generations. This means, within 50 years of your death, you are likely to be forgotten by the latest generation of your future family. This being the case, what is the purpose of your material life? The truth is that every day of your life is a day in perpetuity, preserved forever and affecting the future forever. In much the same way that every vote counts at the polling booth, every day, every decision, every word and every action counts toward the world you leave for future generations.
Every step on the journey to a more fulfilling existence begins with an exercise in self control, especially in your developing the ability to think, open mindedly, thoughts that are capable of seeing the whole picture, in detail, in order to put into context current events being experienced by you.
It is well know to practitioners of Torah and psychology that the intellect, once it grasps an idea, surrounds the concept such that the subject is firmly encompassed within the mind. It is only possible for the subject to be retained in the mind if it is fully enclosed and surrounded by the grasp your understanding provides your mind. The boundary established by your understanding an idea is therefore important because without boundaries there would be no possible way of grasping and retaining any idea. Therefore, the idea being grasped must contain one or more fixed precepts in order for the intellect to fully encompass, digest and ultimately articulate it. This often becomes apparent when ideas, which are not fully formed, present as being difficult to articulate, the mind looses focus because it (the idea) failed to capture and an attentive mind. When the defined boundaries (understanding) of the idea have not been sufficiently grasped it cannot be correctly articulated and its explanation will be insufficient to ignite the desired interest in the mind of the recipient of the information.
By studying the concepts written deeply into the hidden aspects of Torah one is drawn closer to its 'idea' which affects your sense of being as a direct result of the many important idea’s that are revealed and grasped in the process. This blog contains just a very small sample of those ideas.
By embracing knowledge of spiritual paths (Sefirot and the 32 paths of wisom) from where thoughts and ideas emerge and by total submission to G-d one can grasp deeper concepts (associated with any idea). This enables the conscious and subconscious mind to elevate to the spiritual level of the soul, outside the physical presence of the brain, through which the deepest appreciation of G-d's external influence can be realized.
When the mind is open, in the way of Torah, to contemplate the emergence of a thought the intensity of this internalized focus may lead some people to experiencee a 'holy light' (overwhelming spiritual intensity) that emanates from G-d's highest universal realm. Therefore, it is essential to correctly shield oneself, by being consciously aware of the excersise because without this grounding several potential disastrous outcomes can occur. In this state of mental openness, complete balance and order are required so that contemplations and meditations are not experienced in ways that could be harmful to the mind.
There is a well know story about three ancient and very famous Rabbis that went into an orange orchard to meditate, it goes like this;
Four entered the Orchard ( Pardes- an acronym meaning four specific modes of interpreting and learning Torah). They were Ben (Ben = Son of) Azzai, Ben Zoma, Acher (literally, "the Other", referring to Elisha ben Abuya), and Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Akiva warned them (speaking abstractly of the spiritual experience they were about to encounter); "When you enter near the stone of pure marble, do not say 'water, water,' (since there is actually no water there at all), and it is written, 'He who speaks falsehood will not be established before My eyes' (Psalms 101:7)."
-Ben Azzai gazed and died. Regarding him it is written, "Precious in G-d's eyes is the death of His pious ones" (Psalms 116:15).
-Ben Zoma gazed and was stricken with insanity; he went out of his mind. Regarding him it is written, "You have found honey, eat moderately lest you bloat yourself and vomit it". (Proverbs 25:16)
-Acher gazed and cut the plantings i.e. he became a heretic.
-Rabbi Akiva entered in peace and departed in peace....
This story illustrates the potential harm that deep spiritual mediation, as documented by Judaism’s ancient practices, can bring to a person if they are not fully prepared and in a stable mental state. This exaggerates the problem because the vast majority of people will never experience the intensity of the experience of these Rabbi’s and sages, but there is no way of knowing, in advance, who are the righteous ones amongst us, therefore each person trying this should be prepared. Rabbi Akiva was a teacher of Rabbi Shimeon bar Yochai whose revelations from the time he meditated in a cave for 13 years are to be found in one of the most famous interpretation of Torah, The Zohar.
Kabbalah includes some of the most intense meditation methods and it is known from the writings of the ancient Jewish prophets, priests and sages that properly prepared people can reach very high and holy states. However, as more is revealed, as people become aware of the deeper meanings within each of the Hebrew letters and as balanced and complete study of the Torah is restored to people, so our minds may begin to, once again, explore the methods that were once practiced and our souls may become elevated to the levels that enabled us to call out directly to G-d and to reach Him through the ways that He prescribed.
In Judaism there is a know precept that says Torah study is equal to all the other good deeds that one must do. This is because Torah is the gateway to life’s purpose and as such it is elevated above every other deed because it is known to shape people in the way that G-d wants them to be.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The System
When looked at objectively Judaism, like many other religions and belief systems, is the most complete living meditation. It's true form is found in the hidden commitments, practices, rituals and prayers of Jewish people. Many of these are taken for granted, they are not properly understood, principally because we are presently unable to practice any of these ancient techniques in their entirety as they originated and were practiced. However, the world is changing and our lives with it and through discovery, awareness, sensitivity and knowledge we are slowly fitting the pieces back together to comprehend the reasons for many of the early mystical writings of the great prophets and sages that were laid down on stone, papyrus and wood discussing elevation in the spiritual world.
Judaism’s embedded system of meditation is an all encompassing life-long continuous upward spiral (a ladder) to reach higher levels of elevation in which prayers are made with more dedication, clarity and focus. This causes ones thoughts to rise in the higher worlds (even at an intellectual level) through which actions in the lower world (emotional level) can yield the desired objectives. Here efficiency depends on purity of mind and body. This practice is contained in the recipes for living ones life including the writings and teachings of Torah as expounded through Kabbalah, Gemara, Mishnah, Midrash, Kashrut and other significant works that document, in enormous detail, the way to achieve purity of purpose and spiritual enlightenment of the highest order.
The essence of Jewish mediation and prayer is contained in the simple explicit Name of G-d –י׳ה׳ו׳ה (YHVH). As alluded to earlier (http://beingholy.blogspot.com/#116591270228436053), this Name is of the highest order and contains everything within it, beyond this is The Deity Himself which we are unable to fathom in any way regardless of how one tries. We already learned that the letters י(Yud), ה(Heh) and ו(Vav) are the only possible suffixes for the first and last letters of Torah – creating words meaning 'to me', 'to her', 'to him', 'in me', 'in her', 'in him'. It is written in Sefer Yetzirah that with these six letters G-d created all things – י׳ה׳ו׳ה יה (Yah Y’H’V’H)[1].
Conceptually the brain is part of the physical world and the mind is of the spiritual world. It is said that an angel[2] (as the archetype of the spiritual) can only carry one mission and can never share the same mission, likewise a thought emerges as a singularity and the mind can never deal with more than one thought at any instant. In order for man to reach the highest levels of effectiveness, integration of the physical and spiritual is required. This explains the reasons for the many continued physical rituals and practices that exist in Judaism and many other religions, they all form part of a greater system of meditation in which the physical and the spiritual converge to yield an elevated state of holiness. These practices all stem from the 620 positive and negative commandments included in Torah (Keter (Crown)) = 620.
Throughout the prayer books of the orthodox Jews are the concepts alluding to the importance of the Name of G-d. Some of these examples include; "…then was His Name proclaimed King; …blessed is His Name; …praised and glorified His great Name forever;…may the Name of the L-rd be blessed; …the L-rd is His Name; hallow and ascribe sovereignty to: …The Name of the Almighty G-d; …He endures and His Name endures; …and have in love brought us near, O our King, to Your great Name, that we may praise You, and proclaim Your Oneness and love Your Name; …on that day, The L-rd shall be One and His Name One". Each of these references serves as a reminder that the depth of His Name represents everything including all that we are (physically) and all that we experience (spiritually) and our steps toward holiness are made by first attaining an understanding of His Name.
All of the Sefirot (soul attributes) are reflected in His Explicit Name. In the Apex of the Yud is Keter (Crown), The Yud (י - Yud) is Chokmah (Wisdom), the first Heh (ה - Heh) is Binah (Understanding), the Vav (ו - Vav) represents the Six of Zer Anpin (emotional attributes - Chesed (Compassion), Gevurah (Strength), Tifferet (Beauty), Netzach (Victory), Hod (Humility) and Yesod (Foundation) – hence the value of Vav being = 6) with the last Heh being Malkhut (Kingship) - the seventh. In the physical world, specific interactions between the various attributes of the Sefirot can be realized by combining and considering the expansions of the names of G-d to unify the letters (or the energies represented by those letters) using the mystical secrets of Kabbalah and the meditative practices prescribed by it.
Every aspect of Jewish ritual that is deeply integrated into the fabric of a Jewish devotee enables a person to achieve a higher state of holiness. The constant reminder of G-d’s presence, through rituals, practices, prayer and meditation enable one to reach a place in the spiritual world, from their place in the physical world that is closer to G-d (perfection) where the light of His countenance can be experienced with increasing degrees of intensity. The worlds improving holistic knowledge of ancient Jewish practices increasingly clarifies their worthiness as an important people. Now the intricately woven pieces of all these practices can be bound together with our renewed knowledge of the words of Torah and their meanings, discovered from all the books that expound Torah, resulting in a vision of Judaism being a complete life commitment to a better world, through holiness, achieved using meditation and actualization.
For students of mediation there is no system more advanced and there will never be one that is as advanced and complete as the holistic system and practice of being Jewish.
[1] Sefer Yetzirah – Ariyeh Kaplan Pg 16, Pg 81
[2] Sefer Yetzirah – Ariyeh Kaplan Pg 60
Judaism’s embedded system of meditation is an all encompassing life-long continuous upward spiral (a ladder) to reach higher levels of elevation in which prayers are made with more dedication, clarity and focus. This causes ones thoughts to rise in the higher worlds (even at an intellectual level) through which actions in the lower world (emotional level) can yield the desired objectives. Here efficiency depends on purity of mind and body. This practice is contained in the recipes for living ones life including the writings and teachings of Torah as expounded through Kabbalah, Gemara, Mishnah, Midrash, Kashrut and other significant works that document, in enormous detail, the way to achieve purity of purpose and spiritual enlightenment of the highest order.
The essence of Jewish mediation and prayer is contained in the simple explicit Name of G-d –י׳ה׳ו׳ה (YHVH). As alluded to earlier (http://beingholy.blogspot.com/#116591270228436053), this Name is of the highest order and contains everything within it, beyond this is The Deity Himself which we are unable to fathom in any way regardless of how one tries. We already learned that the letters י(Yud), ה(Heh) and ו(Vav) are the only possible suffixes for the first and last letters of Torah – creating words meaning 'to me', 'to her', 'to him', 'in me', 'in her', 'in him'. It is written in Sefer Yetzirah that with these six letters G-d created all things – י׳ה׳ו׳ה יה (Yah Y’H’V’H)[1].
Conceptually the brain is part of the physical world and the mind is of the spiritual world. It is said that an angel[2] (as the archetype of the spiritual) can only carry one mission and can never share the same mission, likewise a thought emerges as a singularity and the mind can never deal with more than one thought at any instant. In order for man to reach the highest levels of effectiveness, integration of the physical and spiritual is required. This explains the reasons for the many continued physical rituals and practices that exist in Judaism and many other religions, they all form part of a greater system of meditation in which the physical and the spiritual converge to yield an elevated state of holiness. These practices all stem from the 620 positive and negative commandments included in Torah (Keter (Crown)) = 620.
Throughout the prayer books of the orthodox Jews are the concepts alluding to the importance of the Name of G-d. Some of these examples include; "…then was His Name proclaimed King; …blessed is His Name; …praised and glorified His great Name forever;…may the Name of the L-rd be blessed; …the L-rd is His Name; hallow and ascribe sovereignty to: …The Name of the Almighty G-d; …He endures and His Name endures; …and have in love brought us near, O our King, to Your great Name, that we may praise You, and proclaim Your Oneness and love Your Name; …on that day, The L-rd shall be One and His Name One". Each of these references serves as a reminder that the depth of His Name represents everything including all that we are (physically) and all that we experience (spiritually) and our steps toward holiness are made by first attaining an understanding of His Name.
All of the Sefirot (soul attributes) are reflected in His Explicit Name. In the Apex of the Yud is Keter (Crown), The Yud (י - Yud) is Chokmah (Wisdom), the first Heh (ה - Heh) is Binah (Understanding), the Vav (ו - Vav) represents the Six of Zer Anpin (emotional attributes - Chesed (Compassion), Gevurah (Strength), Tifferet (Beauty), Netzach (Victory), Hod (Humility) and Yesod (Foundation) – hence the value of Vav being = 6) with the last Heh being Malkhut (Kingship) - the seventh. In the physical world, specific interactions between the various attributes of the Sefirot can be realized by combining and considering the expansions of the names of G-d to unify the letters (or the energies represented by those letters) using the mystical secrets of Kabbalah and the meditative practices prescribed by it.
Every aspect of Jewish ritual that is deeply integrated into the fabric of a Jewish devotee enables a person to achieve a higher state of holiness. The constant reminder of G-d’s presence, through rituals, practices, prayer and meditation enable one to reach a place in the spiritual world, from their place in the physical world that is closer to G-d (perfection) where the light of His countenance can be experienced with increasing degrees of intensity. The worlds improving holistic knowledge of ancient Jewish practices increasingly clarifies their worthiness as an important people. Now the intricately woven pieces of all these practices can be bound together with our renewed knowledge of the words of Torah and their meanings, discovered from all the books that expound Torah, resulting in a vision of Judaism being a complete life commitment to a better world, through holiness, achieved using meditation and actualization.
For students of mediation there is no system more advanced and there will never be one that is as advanced and complete as the holistic system and practice of being Jewish.
[1] Sefer Yetzirah – Ariyeh Kaplan Pg 16, Pg 81
[2] Sefer Yetzirah – Ariyeh Kaplan Pg 60
Friday, March 30, 2007
Our Purpose
People continuously seek purpose in their lives. There are times when things seems to be going well and ones purpose in life appears to be clear and then there are other times, in every life, when that purpose, which seemed so clear only a short time back is completely clouded and cannot become clear no matter how hard one tries. Perhaps we each have to analyze the validity of our various definitions of purpose, but to do so we must first look back to the source of our current day perspectives.
Zealous pursuit of material pleasure, motivated by our collective desires, has led us into a world which continues to be driven by this objective, yet “purpose” remains fleeting and people continue to seek 'it' in their lives. However, if mans' purpose was a lost cause then we would move more rapidly, as a human race, toward the brink of our own self inflicted destruction, but that's not quite the way it is...
Purpose is the central element of any culture, if it can be identified it can be nurtured to increasingly empower society, but when single minded devotion to purpose is diluted by other purposes that compliment the collective ‘noise’ of desire then our actual purpose is diluted. If we go back to the roots of our spiritual culture in the western world, particularly around the time of the revelation to the people at Mt. Sinai, we will see that purpose in life was centered on the soul. At this time, as is evident in the Torah and in Egyptian archaeological records, the passage of the soul was clearly the focus of so many aspects of society. Whilst the Egyptian records refer to the soul’s passage in the afterlife (to a greater degree), in everyday life passage remained the focus. Either way, the soul was at the absolute center of purpose and thought that prevailed in society.
Society’s absolute commitment to elevation of the soul was the living purpose of the mainstream so much so that their conscious minds were readily aware of and always centered on the potential impact their actions may have on the elevation of their souls in the afterlife. Negative moral behavior would lead to a demise of the energy of the soul, which was seen as the antithesis of ones G-d or god given responsibility. By the end of life’s term the body and mind should be elevated to the purest state so that the elevated soul be returned to rising to a higher heaven that its origin. Torah and Kabbalah resolved that a single purpose cannot be defined by multiple gods and that was the defining difference between the holy people of Israel and Egypt.
If we were all truly committed to the improvement of life on planet earth we would first begin to recognize our life purpose so that it could manifest in our thoughts and actions, in the way we operate and function as individuals and as societies and finally as a common race of human beings . In the absence of messianic intervention, a dramatic change is not possible, but if one contemplates the era in which we find ourselves and takes a global view of significant ecological, territorial and cultural events of recent history one can only begin to draw conclusions that improvement, through unity, is the only logical direction toward which society must move, in order that we can ultimately attain the peaceful objectives that are ultimately prophesized for the human race; to bring G-d to dwell amongst us in a direct and absolute fashion.
This objective is clearly referred to in the Torah, particularly in the lead up to messianic times when we (on earth) are to make a home for G-d to dwell amongst us. In Hebrew 'home' is written בית (bayit). The same word is used for the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (bet - בית), the letter is ב (bet or beit) representing the number 2. The gematria of (ta’avah) meaning “desire” or passion בית = 412 = תאוה (bayit). Generally ta’avah is referred to as a negative desire, but when it is associated with a righteous person it becomes positive. The signs are therefore clear, our progressive return to a righteous state will correct the energy of our collective desires and bring with it the presence of G-d to dwell in the house that we make for Him. There are some very special connotations related to the energy associated with the letter ב (bet), particularly as they relate to the third and final temple in Jerusalem. The letter ב (bet) is the first letter of Torah.
Discovering our collective purpose as a human race seems to be a perplexing problem, but there can be no greater purpose than to bring G-d’s presence to dwell amongst us in a real and absolute sense.
Zealous pursuit of material pleasure, motivated by our collective desires, has led us into a world which continues to be driven by this objective, yet “purpose” remains fleeting and people continue to seek 'it' in their lives. However, if mans' purpose was a lost cause then we would move more rapidly, as a human race, toward the brink of our own self inflicted destruction, but that's not quite the way it is...
Purpose is the central element of any culture, if it can be identified it can be nurtured to increasingly empower society, but when single minded devotion to purpose is diluted by other purposes that compliment the collective ‘noise’ of desire then our actual purpose is diluted. If we go back to the roots of our spiritual culture in the western world, particularly around the time of the revelation to the people at Mt. Sinai, we will see that purpose in life was centered on the soul. At this time, as is evident in the Torah and in Egyptian archaeological records, the passage of the soul was clearly the focus of so many aspects of society. Whilst the Egyptian records refer to the soul’s passage in the afterlife (to a greater degree), in everyday life passage remained the focus. Either way, the soul was at the absolute center of purpose and thought that prevailed in society.
Society’s absolute commitment to elevation of the soul was the living purpose of the mainstream so much so that their conscious minds were readily aware of and always centered on the potential impact their actions may have on the elevation of their souls in the afterlife. Negative moral behavior would lead to a demise of the energy of the soul, which was seen as the antithesis of ones G-d or god given responsibility. By the end of life’s term the body and mind should be elevated to the purest state so that the elevated soul be returned to rising to a higher heaven that its origin. Torah and Kabbalah resolved that a single purpose cannot be defined by multiple gods and that was the defining difference between the holy people of Israel and Egypt.
If we were all truly committed to the improvement of life on planet earth we would first begin to recognize our life purpose so that it could manifest in our thoughts and actions, in the way we operate and function as individuals and as societies and finally as a common race of human beings . In the absence of messianic intervention, a dramatic change is not possible, but if one contemplates the era in which we find ourselves and takes a global view of significant ecological, territorial and cultural events of recent history one can only begin to draw conclusions that improvement, through unity, is the only logical direction toward which society must move, in order that we can ultimately attain the peaceful objectives that are ultimately prophesized for the human race; to bring G-d to dwell amongst us in a direct and absolute fashion.
This objective is clearly referred to in the Torah, particularly in the lead up to messianic times when we (on earth) are to make a home for G-d to dwell amongst us. In Hebrew 'home' is written בית (bayit). The same word is used for the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (bet - בית), the letter is ב (bet or beit) representing the number 2. The gematria of (ta’avah) meaning “desire” or passion בית = 412 = תאוה (bayit). Generally ta’avah is referred to as a negative desire, but when it is associated with a righteous person it becomes positive. The signs are therefore clear, our progressive return to a righteous state will correct the energy of our collective desires and bring with it the presence of G-d to dwell in the house that we make for Him. There are some very special connotations related to the energy associated with the letter ב (bet), particularly as they relate to the third and final temple in Jerusalem. The letter ב (bet) is the first letter of Torah.
Discovering our collective purpose as a human race seems to be a perplexing problem, but there can be no greater purpose than to bring G-d’s presence to dwell amongst us in a real and absolute sense.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Which Way from here?
At the beginning of each day during services in synagogues and homes around the world several short blessings are pronounced before any other prayers are conducted. Amongst these blessings are particular paragraphs of interest including;
“My G-d, the soul which You have given within me is pure. You have created it, You have formed it, You have breathed it into me and You preserve it within me. You will eventually take it from me, and restore it within me in the Time to Come. So long as the soul is within me, I offer thanks to You, Lord my G-d and G-d of my fathers, Master of all works, L-rd of all souls. Blessed are You, L-rd, who restores souls of dead bodies.”
…continuing…
“And may it be Your will, L-rd our G-d and G-d of our fathers, to accustom us to study Your Torah, and to make us cleave to Your commandments. Do not bring us into sin, nor into transgression or iniquity, nor into temptation or scorn; and may the evil inclination not have mastery over us. Keep us far from an evil person and an evil companion. Make us cleave to the good inclination and to good deeds, and compel our inclination to be subservient to You. Grant us this day, and every day, grace kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us; and bestow bountiful kindness upon us. Blessed are You, L-rd, who bestows bountiful kindness upon His people Israel.
May it be Your will, L-rd my G-d and G-d of my fathers, to protect me this day, and every day, from insolent men and from impudence; from a wicked man, from an evil companion, from an evil neighbor, and from an evil occurrence, from an evil eye, from a malicious tongue, from slander, from false testimony, from men’s hate, from calumnious charges, from unnatural death, from harsh diseases, and from misfortune; from the destructive adversary and from harsh judgment; from an implacable opponent, whether or not he is a member of the Covenant; and from the retribution of gehinnom (hell).”
The prayer is said for the soul, for the things that are not tangible, the abstract and unknown. If one considers carefully what is actually being said, word for word, it becomes evident, once the soul is consciously called into focus, that the forces about which the prayer is most concerned are those of the dark side, the evil forces whether directly targeted or delivered by a carrier. This prayer is said in the morning time when the G-d in His merciful state shines His countenance upon us as we ask;
“and may the evil inclination not have mastery over us. Keep us far from an evil person and an evil companion. Make us cleave to the good inclination”.
Here the objective is clear and the request is straight forward; keep evil away and make us cleave to the forces of good, which we may not be able to consciously identify. If this statement came true, evil thoughts would be rejected and good thoughts promoted by our cleaving. Through this we would know the thoughts to which we ought to focus our attention. This then becomes the object of our thinking through the day whenever we think of anything, two questions should come to mind either prospectively or retrospectively;
Was it from the side of evil?
Was it from the side of good?
So long as we identify the source of our thoughts we will begin to manage our thinking so that our thoughts can be dominated by that side, which we choose to be dominated by. These thoughts are translated into prevailing actions, which over time will begin to modify the way we function.
Most people have experienced a concept referred to as ‘synchronicity” – this occurs when events appear to happen by apparent coincidence, particularly when things appear to be too coincidental. Then a simple explanation won’t suffice and one is left to ponder the reasons why the events occurred in such a specific manner. Could there be a meaning behind the events? Could there be a message? What should I do? In fact many people follow instincts at junctures like these where all their retained pragmatic logic gets shifted aside for the more esoteric logic, which is simply a reaction to the events they just experienced or is it?
Events like these are occurring all the time, but it is only the rare occasion that one consciously recognizes the synchronicity and only because at that moment the conscious mind happens to be in sync with the soul. Most times the intellectual ‘noise’ is too great for synchronicity be consciously noticed. Although it will continue to occur, without recognizing this phenomena decisions directed by free choice absent of this higher state of consciousness, may be squandered because of a simple lack of awareness and sensitivity.
One of the most important messages is that people build a greater awareness of the energy forces of G-d and the spiritual realm in which they occur so their perspectives can be elevated on the ‘wings of eagles’, the guiding forces that are constantly being sent through your soul to your sub-conscious and conscious brain. An awareness of these is the starting point for a journey to the inner realm where a holistic comprehension of each decision you face through each thought that comes to you can be better understood.
At the highest point of morning prayer the Daily Amidah, an ancient prayer that was once mediated over 3 times each day for 2-3 hours where each and every word was carefully concentrated upon such that rolling prayer continued throughout the day, there is a section as follows;
“Let there be no hope for informers and may all heretics and all the wicked instantly perish; may all enemies of Your people be speedily extirpated; and may you swiftly uproot, break, crush and subdue the reign of wickedness speedily in our days. Blessed are You, L-rd, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.
May Your mercies be aroused, L-rd our G-d, upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of Your people Israel, upon the remnant of their sages, upon the righteous proselytes, and upon us. Grant us ample reward to all who truly trust in Your name, and place our lot among them; may we never be disgraced, for we have put our trust in You. Blessed are You, L-rd, the support and security of the righteous.”
In this prayer we see that all righteous people are being prayed for, people of all nations, a unifying message that seeks to create a unifying prayer for G-d to strengthen all of us.
It is becoming increasingly clear as we develop a full perspective that the purpose of our lives has become distorted by intellectual noise spoken of earlier. The noise is prevalent because of the good and evil factors discussed and it continues to prevent our clarity of purpose to be revealed, or does it?
“My G-d, the soul which You have given within me is pure. You have created it, You have formed it, You have breathed it into me and You preserve it within me. You will eventually take it from me, and restore it within me in the Time to Come. So long as the soul is within me, I offer thanks to You, Lord my G-d and G-d of my fathers, Master of all works, L-rd of all souls. Blessed are You, L-rd, who restores souls of dead bodies.”
…continuing…
“And may it be Your will, L-rd our G-d and G-d of our fathers, to accustom us to study Your Torah, and to make us cleave to Your commandments. Do not bring us into sin, nor into transgression or iniquity, nor into temptation or scorn; and may the evil inclination not have mastery over us. Keep us far from an evil person and an evil companion. Make us cleave to the good inclination and to good deeds, and compel our inclination to be subservient to You. Grant us this day, and every day, grace kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us; and bestow bountiful kindness upon us. Blessed are You, L-rd, who bestows bountiful kindness upon His people Israel.
May it be Your will, L-rd my G-d and G-d of my fathers, to protect me this day, and every day, from insolent men and from impudence; from a wicked man, from an evil companion, from an evil neighbor, and from an evil occurrence, from an evil eye, from a malicious tongue, from slander, from false testimony, from men’s hate, from calumnious charges, from unnatural death, from harsh diseases, and from misfortune; from the destructive adversary and from harsh judgment; from an implacable opponent, whether or not he is a member of the Covenant; and from the retribution of gehinnom (hell).”
The prayer is said for the soul, for the things that are not tangible, the abstract and unknown. If one considers carefully what is actually being said, word for word, it becomes evident, once the soul is consciously called into focus, that the forces about which the prayer is most concerned are those of the dark side, the evil forces whether directly targeted or delivered by a carrier. This prayer is said in the morning time when the G-d in His merciful state shines His countenance upon us as we ask;
“and may the evil inclination not have mastery over us. Keep us far from an evil person and an evil companion. Make us cleave to the good inclination”.
Here the objective is clear and the request is straight forward; keep evil away and make us cleave to the forces of good, which we may not be able to consciously identify. If this statement came true, evil thoughts would be rejected and good thoughts promoted by our cleaving. Through this we would know the thoughts to which we ought to focus our attention. This then becomes the object of our thinking through the day whenever we think of anything, two questions should come to mind either prospectively or retrospectively;
Was it from the side of evil?
Was it from the side of good?
So long as we identify the source of our thoughts we will begin to manage our thinking so that our thoughts can be dominated by that side, which we choose to be dominated by. These thoughts are translated into prevailing actions, which over time will begin to modify the way we function.
Most people have experienced a concept referred to as ‘synchronicity” – this occurs when events appear to happen by apparent coincidence, particularly when things appear to be too coincidental. Then a simple explanation won’t suffice and one is left to ponder the reasons why the events occurred in such a specific manner. Could there be a meaning behind the events? Could there be a message? What should I do? In fact many people follow instincts at junctures like these where all their retained pragmatic logic gets shifted aside for the more esoteric logic, which is simply a reaction to the events they just experienced or is it?
Events like these are occurring all the time, but it is only the rare occasion that one consciously recognizes the synchronicity and only because at that moment the conscious mind happens to be in sync with the soul. Most times the intellectual ‘noise’ is too great for synchronicity be consciously noticed. Although it will continue to occur, without recognizing this phenomena decisions directed by free choice absent of this higher state of consciousness, may be squandered because of a simple lack of awareness and sensitivity.
One of the most important messages is that people build a greater awareness of the energy forces of G-d and the spiritual realm in which they occur so their perspectives can be elevated on the ‘wings of eagles’, the guiding forces that are constantly being sent through your soul to your sub-conscious and conscious brain. An awareness of these is the starting point for a journey to the inner realm where a holistic comprehension of each decision you face through each thought that comes to you can be better understood.
At the highest point of morning prayer the Daily Amidah, an ancient prayer that was once mediated over 3 times each day for 2-3 hours where each and every word was carefully concentrated upon such that rolling prayer continued throughout the day, there is a section as follows;
“Let there be no hope for informers and may all heretics and all the wicked instantly perish; may all enemies of Your people be speedily extirpated; and may you swiftly uproot, break, crush and subdue the reign of wickedness speedily in our days. Blessed are You, L-rd, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.
May Your mercies be aroused, L-rd our G-d, upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of Your people Israel, upon the remnant of their sages, upon the righteous proselytes, and upon us. Grant us ample reward to all who truly trust in Your name, and place our lot among them; may we never be disgraced, for we have put our trust in You. Blessed are You, L-rd, the support and security of the righteous.”
In this prayer we see that all righteous people are being prayed for, people of all nations, a unifying message that seeks to create a unifying prayer for G-d to strengthen all of us.
It is becoming increasingly clear as we develop a full perspective that the purpose of our lives has become distorted by intellectual noise spoken of earlier. The noise is prevalent because of the good and evil factors discussed and it continues to prevent our clarity of purpose to be revealed, or does it?
Thursday, March 15, 2007
G-d’s Interactive Angels
Well known to man for thousands of years are the works of G-d’s legions of angels and special souls. Each major angel, represented by one of G-d’s 10 ineffable names, is in charge of legions of lesser angels that perform their work according to His commands. These are the angels that interface directly with our souls, these are the energies that connect and steer us through every aspect of our life, these are the vessels that have been meditated upon, visited and which visit us frequently delivering all that is His will.
Visions of these angels have been contemplated and expounded upon by the greatest prophets and sages many of whom have described their experiences. Methods for elevating thought to the heights of these supernal beings have been well documented and exist in books that are only recently being published in English and other languages. Mediation techniques so specific they are arguably the most complex and sophisticated techniques known, revealing the perfected mind state that must be reconstructed in order that holiness of thought can yield a true perception of our connection to G-d. Spoken of as 'dangerous' even the most stable rabbinical sages have been psychologically scarred for life or have passed from this world as a direct result of their ascension and elevation away from the physical world of Asiyah through these meditations.
Consider that many of the thoughts you are stimulated to think originate by external Divine stimulus, by the activities of others around you and by desires that are ever present. Thoughts can be categorized, but the one we are interested to review is desire; the root of the ‘noise’ that we have grown accustomed to in our lives.
So where do these thought stimulation's come from? How do they arrive in our minds?
Contemplating ‘thought’ itself, prompts us to first classify types of thought most of which are generated by continuously recycling information – much like a washing machine that tumbles clothes around and around. In the undisciplined mind, the one without dominant intent or determination to achieve a purpose, thoughts that are continuously recycled can be classified as producers of ‘noise’. However, there are two primary thought categories and many different sub categories, which have been very carefully analyzed by psychologists, professional people, Rabbis, Priests and Clerics. Since we have already identified the first category as ‘desire’ we will now focus only on those thoughts in the second category ‘analytical’.
At the level of conscious thought, analysis is often the more substantive process. Generally analysis emerges by concentrating on a particular subject over time. Essentially thoughts are ‘brewed’, but this does not fully describe how they emerge, rather the process of ‘brewing’ relates to the concentration on the subject and not the emergence of the thought. Brewing simply enables the subject matter to be elevated and to permeate the conscious and sub-conscious such that the energy of the subject begins to infuse with the essence of the intellect through the Sefirot. By quieting the noise of desire and of the intellect, through silent concentration, gates (aspects) to each Sefirah are opened to receive the external energies that interact, intertwine and influence the sub attributes of each relevant Sefirah whose gates have been stimulated and activated to open. As mentioned earlier there are 49 major attributes of the lower (emotional) Sefirot each of which are meditated upon during the counting of the Omer. However, each 1/7th of each Sefirah also has 7 further sub gates, making a total of 49 sub-gates per Sefirah, which are the third dimension of its attributes. The 50th gate is the highest level, the body of the vessel and therefore the passage of transfer between Sefirah.
Interaction between the Sefirot of the soul and the Sefirot of the subject or object being contemplated are communicated through the brain. Acting as a large antenna and transceiver ultra sensitive energies, emerging through the soul, stimulate the most sensitive parts of the brain. This results’ in slight chemical changes, which begin to flow more actively as the neurons in the brain, responsible for the emergence of thought, convert this energy, by chemistry, into a specific neuron stream. By activating or de-activating memory agents, that store inert knowledge that your brain possesses[1], a direct thought is created. The quality of access to inert knowledge is contingent on low level impedance from the ‘noise’ of the intellect. There are significantly more complex descriptions that exist in the teachings of Rabbis who have studied the origin and passage of thought, this description attempts to summarize the quantum mechanics of the process and to reconcile it with modern psychology.
The Sefirot provide us with a reference defined as a web of highly sophisticated interconnected energies through which G-d interfaces with all that there is on a spiritual and physical level. G-d’s ministering angels can therefore influence our thinking by way of our soulful interaction with His Sefirot passed down through each universal realm.
Reducing intellectual noise enables us to achieve progressively intensified concentration for disciplined and corrected thought. When that thought is focused on purification, preparation and subjects of holiness, intrinsic wisdom and understanding locked by our minds can be released. The pathway for any thought is always clearly mapped and can be followed all the way up the line through the Sefirot of the world of Asiyah to the Sefirot of each of the higher worlds. Commanding the higher Sefirot that control Understanding and Wisdom comes by first reaching the lower Sefirot that control Justice and Mercy. The path through the Sefirot is well documented in many works of Kabbalah.
By way of meditation and deep prayer the minds capacity to conceptualize the soul and the angels of G-d’s universe that interact with the soul will emerge. In this framework of elevated mental holiness the perception of G-d’s legions becomes apparent. This is beautifully described in many ancient writings using elaborate terms like; Chariots, Hands, Wheels, Wings, Speaking Silence, Glowing husks and Living Creatures.
God’s angels are always hard at work communicating with our souls.
[1] The Society of Mind – Marvin Minsky
Visions of these angels have been contemplated and expounded upon by the greatest prophets and sages many of whom have described their experiences. Methods for elevating thought to the heights of these supernal beings have been well documented and exist in books that are only recently being published in English and other languages. Mediation techniques so specific they are arguably the most complex and sophisticated techniques known, revealing the perfected mind state that must be reconstructed in order that holiness of thought can yield a true perception of our connection to G-d. Spoken of as 'dangerous' even the most stable rabbinical sages have been psychologically scarred for life or have passed from this world as a direct result of their ascension and elevation away from the physical world of Asiyah through these meditations.
Consider that many of the thoughts you are stimulated to think originate by external Divine stimulus, by the activities of others around you and by desires that are ever present. Thoughts can be categorized, but the one we are interested to review is desire; the root of the ‘noise’ that we have grown accustomed to in our lives.
So where do these thought stimulation's come from? How do they arrive in our minds?
Contemplating ‘thought’ itself, prompts us to first classify types of thought most of which are generated by continuously recycling information – much like a washing machine that tumbles clothes around and around. In the undisciplined mind, the one without dominant intent or determination to achieve a purpose, thoughts that are continuously recycled can be classified as producers of ‘noise’. However, there are two primary thought categories and many different sub categories, which have been very carefully analyzed by psychologists, professional people, Rabbis, Priests and Clerics. Since we have already identified the first category as ‘desire’ we will now focus only on those thoughts in the second category ‘analytical’.
At the level of conscious thought, analysis is often the more substantive process. Generally analysis emerges by concentrating on a particular subject over time. Essentially thoughts are ‘brewed’, but this does not fully describe how they emerge, rather the process of ‘brewing’ relates to the concentration on the subject and not the emergence of the thought. Brewing simply enables the subject matter to be elevated and to permeate the conscious and sub-conscious such that the energy of the subject begins to infuse with the essence of the intellect through the Sefirot. By quieting the noise of desire and of the intellect, through silent concentration, gates (aspects) to each Sefirah are opened to receive the external energies that interact, intertwine and influence the sub attributes of each relevant Sefirah whose gates have been stimulated and activated to open. As mentioned earlier there are 49 major attributes of the lower (emotional) Sefirot each of which are meditated upon during the counting of the Omer. However, each 1/7th of each Sefirah also has 7 further sub gates, making a total of 49 sub-gates per Sefirah, which are the third dimension of its attributes. The 50th gate is the highest level, the body of the vessel and therefore the passage of transfer between Sefirah.
Interaction between the Sefirot of the soul and the Sefirot of the subject or object being contemplated are communicated through the brain. Acting as a large antenna and transceiver ultra sensitive energies, emerging through the soul, stimulate the most sensitive parts of the brain. This results’ in slight chemical changes, which begin to flow more actively as the neurons in the brain, responsible for the emergence of thought, convert this energy, by chemistry, into a specific neuron stream. By activating or de-activating memory agents, that store inert knowledge that your brain possesses[1], a direct thought is created. The quality of access to inert knowledge is contingent on low level impedance from the ‘noise’ of the intellect. There are significantly more complex descriptions that exist in the teachings of Rabbis who have studied the origin and passage of thought, this description attempts to summarize the quantum mechanics of the process and to reconcile it with modern psychology.
The Sefirot provide us with a reference defined as a web of highly sophisticated interconnected energies through which G-d interfaces with all that there is on a spiritual and physical level. G-d’s ministering angels can therefore influence our thinking by way of our soulful interaction with His Sefirot passed down through each universal realm.
Reducing intellectual noise enables us to achieve progressively intensified concentration for disciplined and corrected thought. When that thought is focused on purification, preparation and subjects of holiness, intrinsic wisdom and understanding locked by our minds can be released. The pathway for any thought is always clearly mapped and can be followed all the way up the line through the Sefirot of the world of Asiyah to the Sefirot of each of the higher worlds. Commanding the higher Sefirot that control Understanding and Wisdom comes by first reaching the lower Sefirot that control Justice and Mercy. The path through the Sefirot is well documented in many works of Kabbalah.
By way of meditation and deep prayer the minds capacity to conceptualize the soul and the angels of G-d’s universe that interact with the soul will emerge. In this framework of elevated mental holiness the perception of G-d’s legions becomes apparent. This is beautifully described in many ancient writings using elaborate terms like; Chariots, Hands, Wheels, Wings, Speaking Silence, Glowing husks and Living Creatures.
God’s angels are always hard at work communicating with our souls.
[1] The Society of Mind – Marvin Minsky
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Truth
The demise of Ancient Egypt's religious culture and growing acceptance of Israelite monotheism draws the natural conclusion that idolatry and paganism were deeply flawed, therefore it did not withstand the true test of time. In the period Abraham through Moses, Egypt’s intellectuals contested the perfect logic of Israelite mysticism. With Israels departure, Egyptians had finally met their spiritual match and it took less that 1000 years after that for Egypt to completely relinquish its belief system in its entirety.
A consistent doctrine that has strayed from its holy origin must ultimately re-orient with its source in order that its constituents benefit through prescribed methodologies to yield wisdom and understanding so that truth and knowledge can embellish their lives.
It is difficult to discover a depth of understanding from a literal reading of Torah and even more so through translations that do not share the same grammatical and numerical construct as its holy language source. Correct interpretation is made more complex because each Hebrew letter is founded upon particular energies that connect and flow in the 'spiritual vessels' attributed to G-d’s 10 names, His angels of the highest realm, the highest Sefirot, the essence of which is captured in every one of Torah's holy 22 letter alphabet. In the lower realms these energies take their form as the letters and words of thought and speech.
The word 'alphabet' originates by combining the first two letters of Hebrew 'Aleph and Bet'. Whilst those with an anti Semitic slant may present an argument in favor of the Greek letters Alpha and Beta, it is the source of the Greek language that owes a deep gratitude to its Hebrews origin. The Holy Hebrew tongue is not a man made code and The Torah is not a document dictated by a man, it is the words of G-d transcribed through a man in a language determined by G-d.
New found knowledge establishes the basis around which more people begin to understand these deeper 'mystical' insights of Kabbalah. Growing curiosity and increased desire for truth is destined to re-orient the masses of the world toward a holy path that will ultimately accomplish the prophecies about which the Torah speaks. However, in the absence of complete acceptance and reliance on ancient Hebrew's holy source documents other religions, which are based in whole or in part on some translation of Torah, cannot reference the complete source construct that reveals the inner (mystical) beauty of Torah.
Christianity and Islam have simplified Judaism such that neither are synchronized to their source!
Over time, mans ever improving awareness of historical and scientific fact, together with the revelations of Torah, enables increasing focus and distinction of 'truth'. Therefore, doctrines that are not true to their source will be exposed and eventually judged as being flawed. A blatant example is found in The New Testament prophecy of 'messianic return'. Jesus (Yeshu - Salvation), an orthodox Jew did not believe in Messiah in the absence of the third temple, nor in the 'messianic return', nor the concept of trinity, yet Christianity is founded on these precepts.
Deeply embedded in Torah is life's truth, how we ought to live it and most importantly how people can return to a state of 'inner peace' as individuals to bring peace, harmony and purpose to life for the benefit of all people. Through the mystical revelations of Kabbalah small diverse sub-sections of the mainstream are just beginning to see the deeper wisdom in the words of the Torah. As demands for this knowledge increase and access to it via the Internet improves, so other religions will become progressively marginalized as they are confronted by the 'dead end' of logic in the face of their increasingly sophisticated constituents.
Religions based on a relationship with Torah don't believe in different G-d’s, but each religion has its own systems that enable people to connect with G-d and there is no system quite like Israels' Kabbalah and Chasidus, which encapsulate the deep fabric of Jewish life, tradition and belief. These are the embodiment of the perfected logical construct containing the secrets through which people unite with G-d. Not all people interpret Kabbalah correctly, in fact most people get it wrong, nevertheless deep inside Torah the correct messages lie waiting. So long as we refine the methodologies for extracting truth and establishing proper guidelines for pursuing it we will move at an ever increasing rate toward the supernal light (spirituality) that is beginning to shine upon us during this pre-messianic period through which we are living.
The most advanced works of Kabbalah and Chasidus focus their attention on the mind and its relationship to the animal and Divine Soul. Many of these works, produced from their source in Torah, are the worlds most complete and truthful studies of psychology because they emanate from the psychology of the G-dhead itself. Since man was created in the image of G-d, what better source than Torah to reveal the mechanics of mans complex mind.
The Hebrew word for truth is אםת (emmet) numerically 1-40-400 . Of significance is the fact that the 3 letters of this word are, in order, the first, middle and last in the Hebrew alphabet.
A consistent doctrine that has strayed from its holy origin must ultimately re-orient with its source in order that its constituents benefit through prescribed methodologies to yield wisdom and understanding so that truth and knowledge can embellish their lives.
It is difficult to discover a depth of understanding from a literal reading of Torah and even more so through translations that do not share the same grammatical and numerical construct as its holy language source. Correct interpretation is made more complex because each Hebrew letter is founded upon particular energies that connect and flow in the 'spiritual vessels' attributed to G-d’s 10 names, His angels of the highest realm, the highest Sefirot, the essence of which is captured in every one of Torah's holy 22 letter alphabet. In the lower realms these energies take their form as the letters and words of thought and speech.
The word 'alphabet' originates by combining the first two letters of Hebrew 'Aleph and Bet'. Whilst those with an anti Semitic slant may present an argument in favor of the Greek letters Alpha and Beta, it is the source of the Greek language that owes a deep gratitude to its Hebrews origin. The Holy Hebrew tongue is not a man made code and The Torah is not a document dictated by a man, it is the words of G-d transcribed through a man in a language determined by G-d.
New found knowledge establishes the basis around which more people begin to understand these deeper 'mystical' insights of Kabbalah. Growing curiosity and increased desire for truth is destined to re-orient the masses of the world toward a holy path that will ultimately accomplish the prophecies about which the Torah speaks. However, in the absence of complete acceptance and reliance on ancient Hebrew's holy source documents other religions, which are based in whole or in part on some translation of Torah, cannot reference the complete source construct that reveals the inner (mystical) beauty of Torah.
Christianity and Islam have simplified Judaism such that neither are synchronized to their source!
Over time, mans ever improving awareness of historical and scientific fact, together with the revelations of Torah, enables increasing focus and distinction of 'truth'. Therefore, doctrines that are not true to their source will be exposed and eventually judged as being flawed. A blatant example is found in The New Testament prophecy of 'messianic return'. Jesus (Yeshu - Salvation), an orthodox Jew did not believe in Messiah in the absence of the third temple, nor in the 'messianic return', nor the concept of trinity, yet Christianity is founded on these precepts.
Deeply embedded in Torah is life's truth, how we ought to live it and most importantly how people can return to a state of 'inner peace' as individuals to bring peace, harmony and purpose to life for the benefit of all people. Through the mystical revelations of Kabbalah small diverse sub-sections of the mainstream are just beginning to see the deeper wisdom in the words of the Torah. As demands for this knowledge increase and access to it via the Internet improves, so other religions will become progressively marginalized as they are confronted by the 'dead end' of logic in the face of their increasingly sophisticated constituents.
Religions based on a relationship with Torah don't believe in different G-d’s, but each religion has its own systems that enable people to connect with G-d and there is no system quite like Israels' Kabbalah and Chasidus, which encapsulate the deep fabric of Jewish life, tradition and belief. These are the embodiment of the perfected logical construct containing the secrets through which people unite with G-d. Not all people interpret Kabbalah correctly, in fact most people get it wrong, nevertheless deep inside Torah the correct messages lie waiting. So long as we refine the methodologies for extracting truth and establishing proper guidelines for pursuing it we will move at an ever increasing rate toward the supernal light (spirituality) that is beginning to shine upon us during this pre-messianic period through which we are living.
The most advanced works of Kabbalah and Chasidus focus their attention on the mind and its relationship to the animal and Divine Soul. Many of these works, produced from their source in Torah, are the worlds most complete and truthful studies of psychology because they emanate from the psychology of the G-dhead itself. Since man was created in the image of G-d, what better source than Torah to reveal the mechanics of mans complex mind.
The Hebrew word for truth is אםת (emmet) numerically 1-40-400 . Of significance is the fact that the 3 letters of this word are, in order, the first, middle and last in the Hebrew alphabet.
Friday, February 23, 2007
G-d in Life
Have you ever considered where the inspiration for the famous artworks of Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, Aziel or Haniel come from and why they were such an important study for artists of the Renaissance period?
These are G-d’s emissaries, His angels of the highest order and their depiction opposes Jewish Law. Their renderings are inspired by Kabbalah and their pictorial commissions, the result of Rome’s fascination with Jewish mysticism. Their importance to the Roman Catholic doctrine reflects a concerted effort by Rome to reach out to mainstream population groups through a progression of contemporary views. These artworks also represents a slap in the face of Jewish culture and belief and at the time would have been deeply hurtful and disrespectful to all who truly believed in and respected the Oneness of G-d and His omnipotence.
Each of these angels are a manifestation of the Sefirot in the highest universal realms and each is in turn linked to an attribute of G-d which is expressed by the use of His ten ineffable names as written in the Hebrew Torah. The mystical revelations of the Torah reveal the existence of angelic legions and supernal beings that administer G-d’s commands in the universal realms that He created. Included at the top of His infrastructure of supernal beings is His Heavenly Tribunal of Justice.
It is said that increased mystical revelations as evidenced by the growing mainstream awareness of Kabbalah is a direct result of the era of the supernal light, which is beginning to shine upon us more intensely. The flaming soul of Humanity ascends toward the descending supernal light as our awareness of truth, through knowledge, expands. Today we discover more through the advent of science, technology and communication and as we do we seek answers because, logically, we realize that we cannot progress humanity toward any particular point more beneficial than that which can be reached by our heightened spiritual understanding of the perfected construct of our one G-d.
On the tree of the Sefirot Da’at (knowledge) is the eleventh unformed vessel or attribute, it is this attribute that forms from our gathering knowledge which is the union of wisdom (Chokmah) and understanding (Binah) that brings down the supernal light from the higher Crown or Keter. Once we acquire this knowledge and the vessel of Da’at is formed, we are destined to proceed toward that which we come to know. So where is humanity headed?
Our final ascent to the Messianic age has commenced. This precept is spoken about at length in the Torah. It is widely recognized that G-d’s celestial year is represented by 1000 earth years, which puts us on the doorstep of the 7th millennium since we are now approaching 5800 years from the time of creation. The Sabbath millennium is the time when the presence of G-d will complete Her descent to dwell amongst us, when the 3rd temple will “fall from the sky” to be erected in Jerusalem, when miracles beyond our wildest imaginations will be brought to fruition in front of our eyes.
The prophecies predict this is to occur and in order that we become vessels able to perceive these events we must correct the application of our free will and free choice. According to prophecy we can bring the Messiah to our midst earlier, but only when the aggregate majority of our collective choices are made in the order of truth, righteousness and holiness, only then will the Messianic age and the Messiah be revealed to us. There is a narrow window through which this will occur, therefore man has to purify thought, speech and action in order that this can take place by our collective will. The majority of our thoughts have to be devoid of greed, perversion, moral emptiness, competitiveness and selfishness all thoughts of the material, instead they have to build toward a crescendo of caring, concern, responsibility, collaboration, community and action. These thoughts of the side of purity and spirituality have to be acted upon so as to counter the already established negative momentum that has preceded our time in the material world in which we live.
The most devastating and preventative acts delaying the coming of the Messiah are the invitations each of us extend for direct Judgment to be issued over our souls by G-d’s Heavenly Tribunal, specifically permitted by our expressions of hurtful gossip and slander. Believe it or not, [1]slanderous gossip[2] is The Crime of the highest order in the eyes of The Tribunal. Each time we speak badly of someone by spreading hurtful, unnecessary, slanderous gossip we open ourselves to immediate judgment. This is no ordinary judgment. If it were, it would not be executed in an immediate time frame, it would be delayed to that time of the year when the Heavenly Tribunal sit in session to hear admissions of guilt and then they would only hear those particular admissions. However, slanderous gossip invokes an immediate sitting of the Tribunal in judgment of your soul and because they preside by your invitation, all of your collective sins become subject to immediate judgment. The effect of this is devastating since all people who gossip and slander are being judged continuously and repeatedly because of the sins that they are continuing to commit in the eyes of G-d.
With each sin we commit we strengthen the side of evil. Each time The Tribunal sits in Judgment over our sins, the Satan, representing G-d’s angels of the evil side, is automatically invited to observe the trial and The Tribunal must, itself, be subject to G-d’s checks and balances. The Satan is therefore afforded the opportunity to impede the progress of G-d’s plan. With each sin he draws on the energy provided to him, strengthening his position and status through each sinful event that is called into judgment. This lifeline to the Satan saps at the very essence of all that is good, all that is positive and all that emanates from G-d’s good light.
Since darkness blots out the supernal light, we have to work harder to avoid slanderous gossip, which can easily be stopped by our simple decision not to participate in it, not to give life to its devastating effects and through this to stop confounding the wheel of humanity. With unchecked slander, each wrung of the ladder that humanity climbs up, reaching toward the light, is simply given back to the powers of darkness that draw us down toward the abyss and the power to stop this has been and is always in our hands. Each decision to speak requires careful consideration before loosely giving life to words, especially in public. By taking corrective action we make a giant leap, reducing the evil that endures.
[1] The Power of Speech – Rabbi Mendel Kessin – Tiferes Ramchal Institute - Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
[2] http://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/hayomyom.asp?tDate=11/14/2005
These are G-d’s emissaries, His angels of the highest order and their depiction opposes Jewish Law. Their renderings are inspired by Kabbalah and their pictorial commissions, the result of Rome’s fascination with Jewish mysticism. Their importance to the Roman Catholic doctrine reflects a concerted effort by Rome to reach out to mainstream population groups through a progression of contemporary views. These artworks also represents a slap in the face of Jewish culture and belief and at the time would have been deeply hurtful and disrespectful to all who truly believed in and respected the Oneness of G-d and His omnipotence.
Each of these angels are a manifestation of the Sefirot in the highest universal realms and each is in turn linked to an attribute of G-d which is expressed by the use of His ten ineffable names as written in the Hebrew Torah. The mystical revelations of the Torah reveal the existence of angelic legions and supernal beings that administer G-d’s commands in the universal realms that He created. Included at the top of His infrastructure of supernal beings is His Heavenly Tribunal of Justice.
It is said that increased mystical revelations as evidenced by the growing mainstream awareness of Kabbalah is a direct result of the era of the supernal light, which is beginning to shine upon us more intensely. The flaming soul of Humanity ascends toward the descending supernal light as our awareness of truth, through knowledge, expands. Today we discover more through the advent of science, technology and communication and as we do we seek answers because, logically, we realize that we cannot progress humanity toward any particular point more beneficial than that which can be reached by our heightened spiritual understanding of the perfected construct of our one G-d.
On the tree of the Sefirot Da’at (knowledge) is the eleventh unformed vessel or attribute, it is this attribute that forms from our gathering knowledge which is the union of wisdom (Chokmah) and understanding (Binah) that brings down the supernal light from the higher Crown or Keter. Once we acquire this knowledge and the vessel of Da’at is formed, we are destined to proceed toward that which we come to know. So where is humanity headed?
Our final ascent to the Messianic age has commenced. This precept is spoken about at length in the Torah. It is widely recognized that G-d’s celestial year is represented by 1000 earth years, which puts us on the doorstep of the 7th millennium since we are now approaching 5800 years from the time of creation. The Sabbath millennium is the time when the presence of G-d will complete Her descent to dwell amongst us, when the 3rd temple will “fall from the sky” to be erected in Jerusalem, when miracles beyond our wildest imaginations will be brought to fruition in front of our eyes.
The prophecies predict this is to occur and in order that we become vessels able to perceive these events we must correct the application of our free will and free choice. According to prophecy we can bring the Messiah to our midst earlier, but only when the aggregate majority of our collective choices are made in the order of truth, righteousness and holiness, only then will the Messianic age and the Messiah be revealed to us. There is a narrow window through which this will occur, therefore man has to purify thought, speech and action in order that this can take place by our collective will. The majority of our thoughts have to be devoid of greed, perversion, moral emptiness, competitiveness and selfishness all thoughts of the material, instead they have to build toward a crescendo of caring, concern, responsibility, collaboration, community and action. These thoughts of the side of purity and spirituality have to be acted upon so as to counter the already established negative momentum that has preceded our time in the material world in which we live.
The most devastating and preventative acts delaying the coming of the Messiah are the invitations each of us extend for direct Judgment to be issued over our souls by G-d’s Heavenly Tribunal, specifically permitted by our expressions of hurtful gossip and slander. Believe it or not, [1]slanderous gossip[2] is The Crime of the highest order in the eyes of The Tribunal. Each time we speak badly of someone by spreading hurtful, unnecessary, slanderous gossip we open ourselves to immediate judgment. This is no ordinary judgment. If it were, it would not be executed in an immediate time frame, it would be delayed to that time of the year when the Heavenly Tribunal sit in session to hear admissions of guilt and then they would only hear those particular admissions. However, slanderous gossip invokes an immediate sitting of the Tribunal in judgment of your soul and because they preside by your invitation, all of your collective sins become subject to immediate judgment. The effect of this is devastating since all people who gossip and slander are being judged continuously and repeatedly because of the sins that they are continuing to commit in the eyes of G-d.
With each sin we commit we strengthen the side of evil. Each time The Tribunal sits in Judgment over our sins, the Satan, representing G-d’s angels of the evil side, is automatically invited to observe the trial and The Tribunal must, itself, be subject to G-d’s checks and balances. The Satan is therefore afforded the opportunity to impede the progress of G-d’s plan. With each sin he draws on the energy provided to him, strengthening his position and status through each sinful event that is called into judgment. This lifeline to the Satan saps at the very essence of all that is good, all that is positive and all that emanates from G-d’s good light.
Since darkness blots out the supernal light, we have to work harder to avoid slanderous gossip, which can easily be stopped by our simple decision not to participate in it, not to give life to its devastating effects and through this to stop confounding the wheel of humanity. With unchecked slander, each wrung of the ladder that humanity climbs up, reaching toward the light, is simply given back to the powers of darkness that draw us down toward the abyss and the power to stop this has been and is always in our hands. Each decision to speak requires careful consideration before loosely giving life to words, especially in public. By taking corrective action we make a giant leap, reducing the evil that endures.
[1] The Power of Speech – Rabbi Mendel Kessin – Tiferes Ramchal Institute - Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
[2] http://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/hayomyom.asp?tDate=11/14/2005
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Purposeful Soul
In order to obtain an understanding of our life purpose one needs to first obtain knowledge by uniting the attribute of understanding with the attribute of wisdom. However, a closed or narrowly focused mind can constrict this process resulting in the distortion of personality. One of the greatest ongoing difficulties in life is determining right from wrong, good from bad, positive from negative, the left fork in the road or the right. These are life's decisions, the ones that define the outcome of all of our lives and affect the makeup of our character.
In our desire for a better material existence (physical world) we often cloud judgment by focusing on the pursuit and not the purpose of our mission. To be cognoscente of purpose is to be aware of all that surrounds you, all that confounds you, all you invite, wanted and unwanted. Truth and happiness are fleeting unless you discover the purpose prescribed for your soul; herein lie’s life’s challenge.
We have learned the forces of G-d are everywhere, we have learned they are a two way street, we have learned, through Torah, that the forces of darkness and light are heralded by G-d’s ministering angels and we have learned that our soulful energy flows from the 10 Sefirot along 22 paths.
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are three Higher World Divine Attributes;
In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven lower Sefirot are mirrored in seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul:
Each attribute contains elements of all other attributes in varying degrees i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", Ambition in Kindness etc. for a total of forty-nine emotional personality traits that govern who we are and what we are. By our study, understanding, practice and mastery of each of these energies we are able to perform at higher levels of consciousness in the world.
Click here for a more detailed elaboration on the levels and makeup of the soul
In the 49 days it took Israel to leave Egypt, walk through the desert, cross the sea, experience the first revelation, camp at Mt. Sinai, witness the second revelation and receive the Torah, the souls of all people on this journey were elevated to reach an intensified state, an absolute union. As a nation, they became bonded and mentally prepared, open and ready to receive. Each of their Sefirah and those reflecting the nation as a whole had reached a state of perfected enlightenment. The flow of their energies, resulting from their righteous state, focus, concentration, meditation, purification, prayer and general disposition, enabled all of Israel to sufficiently open their souls, for just a brief moment, during which G-d revealed His Wisdom to the entire world. The people of Israel received this Wisdom in a profound way because they were ready to receive it, but the other 70 nations of the world failed to recognize the importance of what had transpired and their soulful states, which had not been ready, did not fully benefit by G-d's descent and their ascent to Him.
Each year beginning on the Jewish Festival of Passover and ending the day before the Festival of Shavuot there is a tradition to count the 49-days of the Omer. This practice is a 49 day (7 Sefirah x 7 influential energies of each Sefirah) process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one influential energy of one attribute of the 7 Sefirot, a process for elevating the soul. Amongst most modern secular Jews this practice has been forgotten. If counting the Omer were revived it would rapidly become an intensified period during each year when each person devotes time every day to contemplate and rectify every attribute of their soul, in effect an inventory of who we are and how we prioritize the order of our thinking to better our lives and those around us.
The counting of the Omer serves as a reminder that our souls are complex aspects of our makeup and that we have the free will and choice to treat the soul as the important element of our being that it is. Further, that it ought to be nurtured and cared for each day of the year and especially on the 49 days of the counting of the Omer, commemorating the days preceding revelation of the Torah to the Israelites camped at Mount Sinai.
Consider the soul a guidance system that projects itself from within you, hovering within and above and traveling in front and behind every step that you take and knowing every decision you are about to make. Consider it sensitive to every aspect of G-d. Now, consider that the potential insights, knowledge and wisdom we are able to receive and perceive are simply blocked out by the noise of our lives, by our busy minds that prevent us from functioning in an optimal fashion. Although we may not know it or experience it, the soul passes energy to our heart and brain through which sub-conscious followed by conscious thoughts are processed as a direct result. With each thought we should try to recognize the occurring process then we should identify all the influences that thought are susceptible to on their way to our consciousness. We have to determine the level of a thoughts purity or impurity, only then are we equipped to process it correctly and to make an optimal conscious decision. Of course most of us don’t function in this manner, but perhaps the world would be a better place if we learned how to do this and put the practice to use.
Our G-d given purpose lies somewhere behind the noise that stands in the way of our being able to identify the purity of our thoughts before we decide how to act on them. Recognizing the importance of purity 'quietening the noise' is therefore a critical factor in being able to identify the guidance your soul provides you in your life. The more accurately you perceive the energy and attributes of your soul, the less noise you will want it to contend with. This will release your powers of wisdom and qualities of understanding enabling you to make quantum leaps forward toward your true purpose.
Every thought has a source, unless we increase the frequency with which we find our way to its source we will never be able to determine its hidden qualities and thereby reach our true potential.
In our desire for a better material existence (physical world) we often cloud judgment by focusing on the pursuit and not the purpose of our mission. To be cognoscente of purpose is to be aware of all that surrounds you, all that confounds you, all you invite, wanted and unwanted. Truth and happiness are fleeting unless you discover the purpose prescribed for your soul; herein lie’s life’s challenge.
We have learned the forces of G-d are everywhere, we have learned they are a two way street, we have learned, through Torah, that the forces of darkness and light are heralded by G-d’s ministering angels and we have learned that our soulful energy flows from the 10 Sefirot along 22 paths.
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are three Higher World Divine Attributes;
Keter – Crown
Chokmah – Wisdom
Binah – Understanding
Chokmah – Wisdom
Binah – Understanding
and seven Lower World Divine Attributes (Sefirot) through which we relate and connect to G-d. These have been referred to earlier as the vessels;
Chessed - Love
Gevurah - Strength
Tiferet - Beauty
Netzach - Victory
Hod - Splendor
Yesod - Foundation
Malkhut – Sovereignty
Chessed - Love
Gevurah - Strength
Tiferet - Beauty
Netzach - Victory
Hod - Splendor
Yesod - Foundation
Malkhut – Sovereignty
Chessed - Kindness
Gevurah - Restraint
Tiferet - Harmony
Netzach - Ambition
Hod - Humility
Yesod - Connection
Malkhut – Receptiveness
Gevurah - Restraint
Tiferet - Harmony
Netzach - Ambition
Hod - Humility
Yesod - Connection
Malkhut – Receptiveness
Each attribute contains elements of all other attributes in varying degrees i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", Ambition in Kindness etc. for a total of forty-nine emotional personality traits that govern who we are and what we are. By our study, understanding, practice and mastery of each of these energies we are able to perform at higher levels of consciousness in the world.
Click here for a more detailed elaboration on the levels and makeup of the soul
In the 49 days it took Israel to leave Egypt, walk through the desert, cross the sea, experience the first revelation, camp at Mt. Sinai, witness the second revelation and receive the Torah, the souls of all people on this journey were elevated to reach an intensified state, an absolute union. As a nation, they became bonded and mentally prepared, open and ready to receive. Each of their Sefirah and those reflecting the nation as a whole had reached a state of perfected enlightenment. The flow of their energies, resulting from their righteous state, focus, concentration, meditation, purification, prayer and general disposition, enabled all of Israel to sufficiently open their souls, for just a brief moment, during which G-d revealed His Wisdom to the entire world. The people of Israel received this Wisdom in a profound way because they were ready to receive it, but the other 70 nations of the world failed to recognize the importance of what had transpired and their soulful states, which had not been ready, did not fully benefit by G-d's descent and their ascent to Him.
Each year beginning on the Jewish Festival of Passover and ending the day before the Festival of Shavuot there is a tradition to count the 49-days of the Omer. This practice is a 49 day (7 Sefirah x 7 influential energies of each Sefirah) process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one influential energy of one attribute of the 7 Sefirot, a process for elevating the soul. Amongst most modern secular Jews this practice has been forgotten. If counting the Omer were revived it would rapidly become an intensified period during each year when each person devotes time every day to contemplate and rectify every attribute of their soul, in effect an inventory of who we are and how we prioritize the order of our thinking to better our lives and those around us.
The counting of the Omer serves as a reminder that our souls are complex aspects of our makeup and that we have the free will and choice to treat the soul as the important element of our being that it is. Further, that it ought to be nurtured and cared for each day of the year and especially on the 49 days of the counting of the Omer, commemorating the days preceding revelation of the Torah to the Israelites camped at Mount Sinai.
Consider the soul a guidance system that projects itself from within you, hovering within and above and traveling in front and behind every step that you take and knowing every decision you are about to make. Consider it sensitive to every aspect of G-d. Now, consider that the potential insights, knowledge and wisdom we are able to receive and perceive are simply blocked out by the noise of our lives, by our busy minds that prevent us from functioning in an optimal fashion. Although we may not know it or experience it, the soul passes energy to our heart and brain through which sub-conscious followed by conscious thoughts are processed as a direct result. With each thought we should try to recognize the occurring process then we should identify all the influences that thought are susceptible to on their way to our consciousness. We have to determine the level of a thoughts purity or impurity, only then are we equipped to process it correctly and to make an optimal conscious decision. Of course most of us don’t function in this manner, but perhaps the world would be a better place if we learned how to do this and put the practice to use.
Our G-d given purpose lies somewhere behind the noise that stands in the way of our being able to identify the purity of our thoughts before we decide how to act on them. Recognizing the importance of purity 'quietening the noise' is therefore a critical factor in being able to identify the guidance your soul provides you in your life. The more accurately you perceive the energy and attributes of your soul, the less noise you will want it to contend with. This will release your powers of wisdom and qualities of understanding enabling you to make quantum leaps forward toward your true purpose.
Every thought has a source, unless we increase the frequency with which we find our way to its source we will never be able to determine its hidden qualities and thereby reach our true potential.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Are you an Israelite?
Reviewing the course of history it’s now quite clear how the nation of Israel became so diversely spread across many countries. Around 4000 years ago, Abraham journeyed to teach in the lands surrounding modern day Iraq. On his travels he visited India where his influence is visible today primarily through the Brahman sect and there are also references to the mystical teachings of Kabbalah in the eastern philosposhies of China and Japan. Many teachers from these lands visited and were influenced by him.
At the time of Israel's exodus from Egypt there were approximately 600,000[1] Israelite men, 20 years or older. The total number of men, women and children exceed two million when they crossed the sea making their way to Mount Sinai. By a process of simple extrapolation that commences with the 70 direct descendants of Jacob that arrived in Egypt, one quickly becomes aware that the logical total number of 'dormant' Israelites in the world today, including deaths from persecution, conversion to other religions and assimilation must be in excess of 500 million people, perhaps significantly more.
Considering that the progeny of Jacob carried through the souls of his descendants and those that take the covenant to become Jews and the heritage of Jewish identity that passes from generation to generation through the mother, it is quite conceivable the direct Israelite lineage could apply to many more than the 15 million 'active' Jews around the world today. Many Christians, Muslims and people of other cultures may in fact be genetically Jewish by birth. However, when raised in families that have embraced different religious cultures over thousands of years they loose their traditional Jewish heritage. Nevertheless their souls remain Jewish forever, but to re-establish their Jewish identity they would be required, at some time, to re-confirm their covenant with G-d in accordance wit the laws of the Jewish Faith.
With the exception of the tribe of Levi (the priesthood), members from each of the 12 Jewish tribes throughout ancient history frequently married out of their faith. In instances where the male married out descendancy was lost. Over time, many children of these multi cultural marriages were integrated into the extended family units, that retained their Jewish identity and the new (non-Jewish) mothers adopted Jewish practices and the traditions of the day. The last functioning Sanhedrin (Rabbinical council of 71 elders) of The Nation of Israel, at the time of the destruction of the second temple (2000 years ago), ordained the rights of passage and the manner in which a man or a woman is considered to have made the conversion through the study of Torah, purification and the covenant of circumcision for males.
The relevance of a Jewish soul is directly associated with mans’ ultimate destiny to restore the world to a state of holiness, through the attribute of Wisdom (Chokmah) accessed through the side of Mercy (Chesed) that will enable the ultimate unification of higher and lower worlds at which time G-d’s presence will dwell amongst us.
[1] B’Or Ha’Torah v15 pg 105 – Solomon Dinkevich
At the time of Israel's exodus from Egypt there were approximately 600,000[1] Israelite men, 20 years or older. The total number of men, women and children exceed two million when they crossed the sea making their way to Mount Sinai. By a process of simple extrapolation that commences with the 70 direct descendants of Jacob that arrived in Egypt, one quickly becomes aware that the logical total number of 'dormant' Israelites in the world today, including deaths from persecution, conversion to other religions and assimilation must be in excess of 500 million people, perhaps significantly more.
Considering that the progeny of Jacob carried through the souls of his descendants and those that take the covenant to become Jews and the heritage of Jewish identity that passes from generation to generation through the mother, it is quite conceivable the direct Israelite lineage could apply to many more than the 15 million 'active' Jews around the world today. Many Christians, Muslims and people of other cultures may in fact be genetically Jewish by birth. However, when raised in families that have embraced different religious cultures over thousands of years they loose their traditional Jewish heritage. Nevertheless their souls remain Jewish forever, but to re-establish their Jewish identity they would be required, at some time, to re-confirm their covenant with G-d in accordance wit the laws of the Jewish Faith.
With the exception of the tribe of Levi (the priesthood), members from each of the 12 Jewish tribes throughout ancient history frequently married out of their faith. In instances where the male married out descendancy was lost. Over time, many children of these multi cultural marriages were integrated into the extended family units, that retained their Jewish identity and the new (non-Jewish) mothers adopted Jewish practices and the traditions of the day. The last functioning Sanhedrin (Rabbinical council of 71 elders) of The Nation of Israel, at the time of the destruction of the second temple (2000 years ago), ordained the rights of passage and the manner in which a man or a woman is considered to have made the conversion through the study of Torah, purification and the covenant of circumcision for males.
The relevance of a Jewish soul is directly associated with mans’ ultimate destiny to restore the world to a state of holiness, through the attribute of Wisdom (Chokmah) accessed through the side of Mercy (Chesed) that will enable the ultimate unification of higher and lower worlds at which time G-d’s presence will dwell amongst us.
[1] B’Or Ha’Torah v15 pg 105 – Solomon Dinkevich
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Holy Constellations
What was Jacob's aim when he conceived his twelve sons?
He contemplated the universal Soul of all creation to bring down a part of that Soul into each of his sons.
The Book of Creation (Sefer Yetzira) discusses The Creation in terms of the three fundamental aspects; Space, Time and Soul. The entire creation is for the sake of man and is structured accordingly. Man has twelve fundamental soul-functions: speech, thought, motion, sight, hearing, action, coition, smell, sleep, anger, taste and laughter. There are the twelve corresponding divisions of space and time. The twelve divisions of space are the twelve constellations (of stars) through which the sun moves in the course of the solar year. The twelve divisions of time are the twelve months of the year. Each sign of the Zodiac and its corresponding month is uniquely characterized with the associated soul-function[1].
The twelve divisions represented through six dimensions in space, time and soul correspond to the twelve diagonals on the tree of the Sefirot. (When the Sefirot are diagrammatically represented as a "tree" of ten points, there are twenty-two connecting lines, seven of which are vertical, three horizontal and twelve diagonal.) Jacob's twelve sons revealed, to perfection, all of the essential qualities of the inner soul for whom God created the world of Time and Space.
Each of the twelve was unique according to his respective orientation on the tree. They were all personalities of tremendous power, as illustrated in the many Bible stories that refer to them and their illustrious descendants in later generations. Each of the tribes received its own blessings from Jacob and later from Moses according to its unique trait. The tribes had their own emblems. Many of them are associated with animals (such as Judah with the Lion, Joseph with the Ox, Issachar the Donkey, Dan with the Serpent, Naftali with the Deer and Benjamin the Wolf.)
The Bible is testimony to the heritage of these founding tribal leaders. Following the 3 patriarchal generations from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob the roots of the future nation of Israel were finally and firmly established. The record is preserved and the mystical and spiritual analysis backs it up in every sense. By looking at examples, like the story of Jacob, we can unfold its deeper context by reviewing the inner meanings through word context,grammaticall commonality, letter substitution and gematria of each word in the Hebrew Torah. The Torah was handed by G-d to Israel through Moses as a complete code contained in the stones of the 10 commandments, in the teachings and in the writings of Moses, but for the most part the knowledge and energy of Torah was transferred by G-d to the souls of Jewish people.
It is said; "The nations heard and trembled, fear gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chieftains of Edom were terrified; the mighty men of Moab panic stricken and the inhabitants of Canaan melted away". Israel's departure from Egypt and the subsequent events ofrevelationn was immediately attributed to a power much greater than anything these kings could possibly imagine, after all Egypt was the most powerful nation on earth and Pharaoh its highest god. Like Pharaoh, these rulers were intellectually defeated.
Was Israel's liberation the cause of fear that came over kings and rulers of the land?
Was Israel redeemed by the power of their Omnipotent G-d?
Was their a mystical magic that can bring such a Liberation to so many people?
What would become of any ruler who did not suppress this power?
The magic of this liberation is to be found following the immediate departure from Egypt, during the 49 days when Israel was formed into the nation it ultimately became. Those 49 days are known as The Counting of the Omer, the deepest intellectual pursuit to the inner depths of our souls. This simultaneous process of meditation, prayer andrevelationn struck fear in the hearts of kings and rulers and brought a newfound intelligence to the world at large.
There are many meaningful insights that come from the deeper analysis of each of the tribes and the roles that they played in the development of the nation of Israel and the world, each of these insights are obtained through an understanding and perception of the Holy Sefirot, the engine room of our soul.
[1] (Sefer Yetzirah ch. 5)
He contemplated the universal Soul of all creation to bring down a part of that Soul into each of his sons.
The Book of Creation (Sefer Yetzira) discusses The Creation in terms of the three fundamental aspects; Space, Time and Soul. The entire creation is for the sake of man and is structured accordingly. Man has twelve fundamental soul-functions: speech, thought, motion, sight, hearing, action, coition, smell, sleep, anger, taste and laughter. There are the twelve corresponding divisions of space and time. The twelve divisions of space are the twelve constellations (of stars) through which the sun moves in the course of the solar year. The twelve divisions of time are the twelve months of the year. Each sign of the Zodiac and its corresponding month is uniquely characterized with the associated soul-function[1].
The twelve divisions represented through six dimensions in space, time and soul correspond to the twelve diagonals on the tree of the Sefirot. (When the Sefirot are diagrammatically represented as a "tree" of ten points, there are twenty-two connecting lines, seven of which are vertical, three horizontal and twelve diagonal.) Jacob's twelve sons revealed, to perfection, all of the essential qualities of the inner soul for whom God created the world of Time and Space.
Each of the twelve was unique according to his respective orientation on the tree. They were all personalities of tremendous power, as illustrated in the many Bible stories that refer to them and their illustrious descendants in later generations. Each of the tribes received its own blessings from Jacob and later from Moses according to its unique trait. The tribes had their own emblems. Many of them are associated with animals (such as Judah with the Lion, Joseph with the Ox, Issachar the Donkey, Dan with the Serpent, Naftali with the Deer and Benjamin the Wolf.)
The Bible is testimony to the heritage of these founding tribal leaders. Following the 3 patriarchal generations from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob the roots of the future nation of Israel were finally and firmly established. The record is preserved and the mystical and spiritual analysis backs it up in every sense. By looking at examples, like the story of Jacob, we can unfold its deeper context by reviewing the inner meanings through word context,grammaticall commonality, letter substitution and gematria of each word in the Hebrew Torah. The Torah was handed by G-d to Israel through Moses as a complete code contained in the stones of the 10 commandments, in the teachings and in the writings of Moses, but for the most part the knowledge and energy of Torah was transferred by G-d to the souls of Jewish people.
It is said; "The nations heard and trembled, fear gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chieftains of Edom were terrified; the mighty men of Moab panic stricken and the inhabitants of Canaan melted away". Israel's departure from Egypt and the subsequent events ofrevelationn was immediately attributed to a power much greater than anything these kings could possibly imagine, after all Egypt was the most powerful nation on earth and Pharaoh its highest god. Like Pharaoh, these rulers were intellectually defeated.
Was Israel's liberation the cause of fear that came over kings and rulers of the land?
Was Israel redeemed by the power of their Omnipotent G-d?
Was their a mystical magic that can bring such a Liberation to so many people?
What would become of any ruler who did not suppress this power?
The magic of this liberation is to be found following the immediate departure from Egypt, during the 49 days when Israel was formed into the nation it ultimately became. Those 49 days are known as The Counting of the Omer, the deepest intellectual pursuit to the inner depths of our souls. This simultaneous process of meditation, prayer andrevelationn struck fear in the hearts of kings and rulers and brought a newfound intelligence to the world at large.
There are many meaningful insights that come from the deeper analysis of each of the tribes and the roles that they played in the development of the nation of Israel and the world, each of these insights are obtained through an understanding and perception of the Holy Sefirot, the engine room of our soul.
[1] (Sefer Yetzirah ch. 5)