Torah

A Sukkah of Peace

After having conducted a 40-day retrospective of our year, ultimately repenting for our mistakes on Yom Kippur - we are provided a moment to look forward to the year ahead. This is why Sukkot represents a kind of fresh start, the beginning of a new paradigm in our spiritual growth.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

The Divine Council

Does G_D rule the world through a Divine Council of supernal angels? For many, this may be a new idea, however, deep within the Rabbinic tradition, this is quite ancient.

Mussar

Soul Refinement - Guarding Our Speech

To the best of my knowledge, no legal system on earth holds verbal insults and thought crimes in the same category as more egregious and obvious crimes like murder and adultery. However, in the spiritual economy of the Bible, these are very much connected.

Thoughts

Soul Refinement - Do Not Destroy

A little-known prohibition in the Torah remains a timeless and valuable ethic for developing our spiritual awareness. This is known as Bal Tashchit, the prohibition against destroying things that serve a purpose.

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New Testament Insights

Was Paul the First Christian Convert?

Of course, Paul converted, right? The chapter heading says so, and his name was changed to Saul, wasn't it?

Paid-members only

Mysticism and Spirituality

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.

Mysticism and Spirituality

40 Days of Spiritual Metamorphosis

As summer fades into autumn, a sacred period arrives in the Jewish calendar that carries profound spiritual significance. We're all invited to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, repentance, and reconnection with the Divine during this time.

New Testament Insights

The Divorce of Israel

Did G_D divorce the Jewish people? Has He abandoned any covenantal ties with the people of the promise, or has a misunderstanding occurred?

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New Testament Insights

The Healing of the Blind Man

What is the lesson of the healing of the blind man? Is it simply a recorded event, or is there more for readers to take away from this moral?

Mysticism and Spirituality

New Book - Exploration of the Soul

Though concealed from many, the Bible's inner wisdom and soul, particularly its exploration through the Jewish tradition, remain some of humankind's most practical, timeless, and profound writings.

Videos

Developing the Soul - Mussar Series. Part 4 ▶

In this final session, we recap some of the concepts of this study, focusing on some common areas of imbalance many of us will want to be aware of.

Members only

Mysticism and Spirituality

Our Test: The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

The Sages described these times we live in as 'great and terrible' - 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.

Paid-members only

Mysticism and Spirituality

What Does the Bible Say About the Afterlife?

The concept of the afterlife, particularly heaven, and hell, has been the subject of fascination and contemplation across various religious and cultural traditions. But, what does the Bible say about these topics?

Paid-members only

Mysticism and Spirituality

Understanding the Klippah

One useful but complex topic is known as the "klippah", which means "husk", or "shell" in Hebrew. Though esoteric, this work will make this complex idea simple enough to begin applying today.

Thoughts

1st Anniversary

It has been 1-year since the launch of The Hidden Orchard Project! 🎉

Torah

42 Journeys

The people of Israel endured 42 stops along the path from Egypt to Israel. What if these were strategic destinations, ordained by the Creator for an unseen purpose? What can we learn from such a perspective that applies to our lives today?

Mysticism and Spirituality

Developing the Soul - Mussar Series. Part 3 ▶

In this study session, we look at an often-overlooked presupposition that we must consider when we begin spiritual development. In this, we look at the issue of impurity that stems from the sin of Adam.

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New Testament Insights

Unexpected Encounters: Jesus and the Canaanite Woman

Jesus is surrounded by his students while teaching when a woman suddenly interrupts, asking him to heal her daughter. We naturally expect him to immediately heal a child with care and compassion. However, his response is an unexpected curveball.

Mysticism and Spirituality

Developing the Soul - Mussar Series. Part 2 ▶

In this session, we look at the concept of Derech Eretz, also known as "Decency" or customs and manners. Derech Eretz is defined as, then ancient Jewish principle that refers to the decorum, dignified behavior, and gentlemanly conduct that should characterize a Jew at all times.

Paid-members only

Mysticism and Spirituality

What Is A "Baptism of Fire?"

What did John [the Baptist] mean when he said Jesus would 'baptize with fire'? The answer can be found in the Kabbalah, and is surprisingly practical for understanding some more complex metaphors in the Bible.

Mysticism and Spirituality Featured

Accepting Insults With Joy

Want to learn a quick method for spiritual elevation? In this article, we'll learn how doing nothing might be the best step for your growth

Mysticism and Spirituality

The Light of the Moon

In an ancient Midrash, the moon approached the Creator, asking how it should find its place amid the sun's brightness. The Creator's instruction provides insight for us today as to how we might best fulfill our purpose in life.

Mysticism and Spirituality

Developing the Soul - Mussar Series. Part 1 ▶

In this series, we will explore the discipline of Mussar and understand how it is a vital component of spiritual development. In the first session, we introduce the concept, the history of the late movement and how it is anchored to the Biblical texts.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

The First Adam and Second Adam: Adam Kadmon and the Logos

With this article, we will start to cover some of the more complex concepts that are featured in the New Testament. Hopefully, we'll lay a foundation to understand ideas many see as controversial and/or a major departure from Jewish thought.

Mysticism and Spirituality

Gneivat haDaat - Giving a False Impression

It is not for nothing that this world has been nicknamed the "Olam HaSheker", which means the World of Lies (in Hebrew). However, this is not meant to be defeatist or pessimistic but simply to reveal the presupposition that truth (Emet) is the essence of a different realm, not this one.