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?
Torah
105 posts
Insights from the Torah, which includes Rabbinic literature and other sources
Into the Shadows: Understanding the Sitra Achra and the Nature of Evil
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.
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.
Messiah: Part 1, The Beginning
If we could summarize the question from which we focus this work, it is, "Why do we need Messiah?" As usual, we'll begin this journey back to the beginning, the birth of the world.
And His Name Will Be One
One of life's 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.
Unraveling the Controversy of Healing on Shabbat in the Gospels
Some of Jesus's more contentious conflicts stem from his healing on this Holy day. But if healing on Shabbat is generally permitted in Jewish law, what is the real point of the story?
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.
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.
Babel and the Ethics of Technology
At first glance, the Biblical account of the Tower of Babel might appear to be closer to a children's story with its deceivingly simple moral, warning of the dangers of misapplied human ingenuity. However, the Rabbinic tradition whispers a much deeper story - one that is still relevant in our time.
TzimTzum - Creating Space, Creating Potential
Though a foreign concept to some, "tzimtzum" offers a unique perspective that helps us 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.
What Does It Mean to be Made in the Image and Likeness of the Creator?
Rendered commonly as "image", Tzelem can also mean "form", or "shadow". Often, Tzelem represents the spiritual components of humankind, representing the fact that humans are composed of "soil" (adamah), "blood" (dom), and supernal qualities.
Messiah: Part 2, The New Normal
In Part 2, we look at the key dynamics humanity now faces after Adam's sin, the role of the Messiah to repair these, and how we have a shared responsibility to participate.