Concepts in Kabbalah Program
The following articles have been organized to highlight a few key concepts when beginning the journey of spiritual discipline and understanding the esoteric tradition of Jewish mysticism.
This focus has often been called "Kabbalah." Here, we will learn the foundational ideas that inform of how to optimize our connection to the Creator.
As new articles are posted for this topic, this list will be updated, so check back occasionally.
š Some articles may require Free Membership or Full Access. Subscribe today!
Part 1 - Foundation
PaRDeS - Jewish Hermeneutics
If you have been around the world of Jewish thought for a while, you might likely already be familiar with the concept represented by the acronym, PaRDeS.
The Hidden Orchard
The Fourth Revolution of Torah
The times we live in are unique. While troubling and challenging on one hand, they also provide never-before opportunities to connect with the Creator. Learn about the Fourth Revolution of Torah and how to take part.
The Hidden Orchard
Diagram: Holiness and Purity
What are spiritual gifts? Are these unrelated and unrepeatable spiritual occurrences, or is there a system that we might be able to put into use in our development?
The Hidden Orchard
Part 2 - Going Deeper
5 Worlds - Jewish Cosmology
In a mystical interpretation of Isaiah, the Rabbis uncovered a hint at the cosmological design of creation. Often referred to in Hebrew as āWorldsā (Olamot), these help aid our understanding of how the Creator interacts with the created.
The Hidden Orchard
What Comes After Heaven? A Guide to the World of Souls and the Olam HaBa
Is heaven the soulās last stop, or is there more? In this article, we will explore the tradition behind the ideas of the Messianic era, Heaven, and the World to Come - including a few key references to these in the New Testament.
The Hidden Orchard
King Without a Crown
The Creator is always sending us hints if we are open to hearing them. Listening to music last week, āKing Without a Crownā, by Matisyahu, cycled through my playlist. I realized the answers are hidden in these lyrics.
The Hidden Orchard
Understanding the Klippah
One useful but complex topic is known as the āklippahā, which means āhuskā, or āshellā in Hebrew. Though esoteric, this work will make this complex idea simple enough to begin applying today.
The Hidden Orchard
TzimTzum - Creating Space, Creating Potential
Though a foreign concept, ātzimtzumā offers a unique perspective that helps to understand a myriad of topics, such as; the creation of the world, the existence of time within eternity, good versus evil, and how the Divine interacts with the mundane.
The Hidden Orchard
Into the Shadows: Understanding the Sitra Achra and the Nature of Evil
ā³[The Sitra Achra] is actually a part of this world. It is the lowest extremity of this world of our known reality. Were there an independent world of Sitra Achra, it would be beyond amendment and redemption.
The Hidden Orchard
Holy Spirit vs. Ruach HaKodesh: Revealing the Essence of Divine Presence
One of the most elusive concepts in the Bible is the idea of the Holy Spirit. Though Judaism and Christianity share some common ground in recognizing Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit as an aspect of the Divine Presence, the nuances and theological underpinnings differ significantly.
The Hidden Orchard
Confronting Our Shadow
We should recognize, there is a difference between rectifying your imbalanced character traits and rectifying the cause of the imbalance. For this, we need to confront our shadow.
The Hidden Orchard
Part 3 - Practical Application
Elevating the Sparks, and Tikkun Olam
āElevating the Sparksā is a kabbalistic idea that can help to make sense of lifeās ups, downs, and everything in between, transforming how we view the world and our role in Tikkun Olam.
The Hidden Orchard
Descent for the Sake of Ascent
Difficult times can be the most metamorphic. Not in the moment, but with time, we can come to know that through these we emerged better, and stronger. Learn how the Kabbalah offers wisdom and guidance to help us navigate the hardships of life.
The Hidden Orchard
3 Stages of Change According to Kabbalah
These stages can transform us into stronger, more resilient individuals when embraced and understood. Surprisingly, this idea is hinted at in the Biblical story of Jacob with the three types of sheep.
The Hidden Orchard
Our Test: The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
The Sages described these times we live in as āgreat and terribleā - also remarking that they themselves would not want to be alive for the tests we face, implying that these tests provide a great opportunity for us.
The Hidden Orchard
Accepting Insults With Joy
Want to learn a quick method for spiritual elevation? In this article, weāll learn how doing nothing might be the best step for your growth
The Hidden Orchard
And His Name Will Be One
One of lifeās greatest paradoxes is that the universe has been created in such a way that it could appear [to some] that there is no Creator at all. What looks like empirical evidence of a Creator to one person appears to be nothing more than randomness to another.
The Hidden Orchard