Mysticism and Spirituality
The Four Types Of Giving According to the Kabbalah
Among the profound teachings of Rav Ashlag, we look at the four types of giving in Kabbalah. Learn how each form of giving serves as a pathway for spiritual growth.
Mussar
Video: Introduction to the Soul - Part 3 - Are These Ideas In the New Testament?
In this video series, we explore the deep tradition of the soul in an approachable way, also showing how these ideas are present all throughout the words of the New Testament
Mysticism and Spirituality
Video: Introduction to the Soul - Part 2
In this video series, we explore the deep tradition of the soul in an approachable way, helping to make practical use of these deep ideas in everyday life.
Torah
Soul Refinement - From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones
In this article, we will explore the dimensions of the prohibition against causing others to stumble. It is a recurring concept in the Talmud and a teaching forwarded by Jesus.
New Testament Insights
Do Not Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand is Doing
In Jewish thought, the right-hand holds a special place in customs, rituals, and observances. This pattern is reflected in everyday activities from hand-washing, tying shoes, touching a Mezuzah, wrapping Tefillin and more.
Mussar
Soul Refinement - Humility
In a world intoxicated by the allure of success and recognition, humility stands as a vanishing (and sometimes counter-cultural) virtue. But, developing humility is much easier said than done.
New Testament Insights
Judge Not and the Art of Rebuke
It is not uncommon for the prohibition against judging others to be misconstrued as a blanket ban on all forms of evaluation and critique. In some cases, these words are used as a mantra to ward off all manner of criticism.
Mysticism and Spirituality
Bitachon: The Cornerstone of Inner Peace and Resilience
Cultivating Bitachon (Trust) and embedding it more deeply into our psyche is a lot easier said than done. Often progress comes through hard times and significant life trials, similar to those we see in Abrahram's life.
New Testament Insights
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
This parable exemplifies how Jesus often co-opts Rabbinic Midrash to illustrate a point. In this, he uses many metaphoric elements of the Jewish oral tradition, teaching the surprising spiritual dynamics of repentance.
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.
Wellness
Soul Refinement - Judging Others Favorably
Translated as "Judging others favorably," this principle encourages us to approach others with understanding, compassion, and empathy. The Torah teaches that we are to assume the best when dealing with the conduct of others, not the worst.