Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kabbalah?
The Kabbalah is the innermost aspect of Judaism. You can call it “the soul of Judaism" and it corresponds to our own soul.
The Kabbalah is the innermost aspect of Judaism. You can call it “the soul of Judaism" and it corresponds to our own soul.
Why is it important to learn Kabbalah?
It is only through learning the Kabbalah that we can know who we are and what our real purpose in our life is. Rabbi Chaim Vital z'l likened someone who keeps the Torah and mitzvot without learning the Kabbalah, to a body who sits in darkness. (Introduction to the Ten Sephirot, Rabbi Ashlag)
It is only through learning the Kabbalah that we can know who we are and what our real purpose in our life is. Rabbi Chaim Vital z'l likened someone who keeps the Torah and mitzvot without learning the Kabbalah, to a body who sits in darkness. (Introduction to the Ten Sephirot, Rabbi Ashlag)
Is there a part of the Kabbalah which is forbidden for us to study?
Yes, Rabbi Ashlag addresses this issue in his work the "Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sephirot". There are two parts of the Kabbalah. One part is called the "Secrets of the Torah" and these is not written down but passed on only from Rabbi to pupil when the disciple is ready. The other part is called the "Reasons for the Torah" and this part is written down and is available for all to learn. Regarding any printed material, including the Zohar itself, that is composed by a great Kabbalist you may be quite certain does not contain any thing that is forbidden for anyone to learn. A different aspect of Kabbalah which is certainly forbidden is the misuse of Kabbalah to achieve personal aims. This includes everything that may be labeled "practical Kabbalah". for example, using the Names of G-d, segulot of all types, superstitions, and so forth.
Yes, Rabbi Ashlag addresses this issue in his work the "Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sephirot". There are two parts of the Kabbalah. One part is called the "Secrets of the Torah" and these is not written down but passed on only from Rabbi to pupil when the disciple is ready. The other part is called the "Reasons for the Torah" and this part is written down and is available for all to learn. Regarding any printed material, including the Zohar itself, that is composed by a great Kabbalist you may be quite certain does not contain any thing that is forbidden for anyone to learn. A different aspect of Kabbalah which is certainly forbidden is the misuse of Kabbalah to achieve personal aims. This includes everything that may be labeled "practical Kabbalah". for example, using the Names of G-d, segulot of all types, superstitions, and so forth.
I am a young woman. Is it alright for me to learn Kabbalah? I thought I had to be over forty....
Everything depends on our motive. Rabbi Ashlag and the Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of (then) Palestine both not only allowed the learning of Kabbalah but encouraged it for all , providing there is a genuine desire to learn it for its own sake. If a person wants to learn Kabbalah because he has completed his studies in the other parts of the Torah , and he wants to add the dimension of the Kabbalah as part of his studies, then he should wait until he is married and over the age of forty. There are now classes for women in the Kabbalah and being a woman is no longer the barrier it once was.
Everything depends on our motive. Rabbi Ashlag and the Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of (then) Palestine both not only allowed the learning of Kabbalah but encouraged it for all , providing there is a genuine desire to learn it for its own sake. If a person wants to learn Kabbalah because he has completed his studies in the other parts of the Torah , and he wants to add the dimension of the Kabbalah as part of his studies, then he should wait until he is married and over the age of forty. There are now classes for women in the Kabbalah and being a woman is no longer the barrier it once was.
Is it permissible for me to learn the Kabbalah if I don't keep Torah and mitzvot?
That's a tricky question!! First of all things are far more complex than they seem... . many of us may be keeping more mitzvot than we realize. . Ethics in business, not telling lies, not defaming or shaming someone else not murdering or stealing, being kind , giving charity are mitzvot just as prevalent amongst the secular as amongst the religious. A more realistic approach is not to pigeon-hole ourselves, or others, but to realize we are all of us, religious and secular alike are growing and learning. I, Yedidah, do teach Jews of every background and don't make any pre-requirement before joining one of my study groups. However I do think an over all desire to come closer to our Source is important and mitzvot is a vital part of manifesting that desire.
That's a tricky question!! First of all things are far more complex than they seem... . many of us may be keeping more mitzvot than we realize. . Ethics in business, not telling lies, not defaming or shaming someone else not murdering or stealing, being kind , giving charity are mitzvot just as prevalent amongst the secular as amongst the religious. A more realistic approach is not to pigeon-hole ourselves, or others, but to realize we are all of us, religious and secular alike are growing and learning. I, Yedidah, do teach Jews of every background and don't make any pre-requirement before joining one of my study groups. However I do think an over all desire to come closer to our Source is important and mitzvot is a vital part of manifesting that desire.
Is there a universal aspect to the teaching of the Kabbalah?
There certainly is. We learn in the Kabbalah that all the souls of all humanity originate from Adam's soul. Therefore we are all interconnected. If I can better myself and work on the inner, then I am helping all others raise up too. Read the last chapter of "A Tapestry for the Soul" for further on this one.
There certainly is. We learn in the Kabbalah that all the souls of all humanity originate from Adam's soul. Therefore we are all interconnected. If I can better myself and work on the inner, then I am helping all others raise up too. Read the last chapter of "A Tapestry for the Soul" for further on this one.
I am a complete beginner. Which book do you advise me to read first, "In the Shadow of the Ladder" or "A Tapestry for the Soul"?
The two books are not similar and may be read in either order. The book "In the Shadow of the Ladder" is like looking at the forest from above and getting more of an overall picture. It contains "The Introduction to the Zohar" and the "Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sephirot", translated straight. There are also additional chapters added by the translators, putting it all into context.
The two books are not similar and may be read in either order. The book "In the Shadow of the Ladder" is like looking at the forest from above and getting more of an overall picture. It contains "The Introduction to the Zohar" and the "Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sephirot", translated straight. There are also additional chapters added by the translators, putting it all into context.
I have been learning Kabbalah for some time now. What makes your books different from those published by other organizations?
That's a fair question. I feel strongly that direct contact with the Master, or the Tzaddik, Rabbi Ashlag is of vital importance. Obviously when one starts out one needs help to understand the material. In "In the Shadow of the Ladder", we did straight translations as literal as we could make them, and added help in other chapters of the book, in "A Tapestry for the Soul" I collated excerpts from Rabbi Ashlag's other writings in which he explains the concepts alluded to in the "Introduction to the Zohar" more thoroughly and placed them next to each paragraph of the Introduction as it came up so that each concept is explained by Rabbi Ashlag himself. This is a totally different experience than having someone else, however good they may be explain the work.
That's a fair question. I feel strongly that direct contact with the Master, or the Tzaddik, Rabbi Ashlag is of vital importance. Obviously when one starts out one needs help to understand the material. In "In the Shadow of the Ladder", we did straight translations as literal as we could make them, and added help in other chapters of the book, in "A Tapestry for the Soul" I collated excerpts from Rabbi Ashlag's other writings in which he explains the concepts alluded to in the "Introduction to the Zohar" more thoroughly and placed them next to each paragraph of the Introduction as it came up so that each concept is explained by Rabbi Ashlag himself. This is a totally different experience than having someone else, however good they may be explain the work.
Why are you charging money for teaching Torah? Shouldn't Torah teaching be free?
The answer to this is I am not a charity or a non-for profit organization. I am a widow who has to make a living for herself and her family. I cannot spend all my time teaching, broadcasting and writing unless I charge some money. The facilitator's group is not in fact that expensive, most of the money is for the on-going weekly learning and in any case even if you charge only a small amount for attendance of your group you should cover the cost pretty quickly. I would love to be in a position to give it all over for free. Right now I can't. (However to put it into perspective we all pay for other services and training we receive, so this is not different.)
The answer to this is I am not a charity or a non-for profit organization. I am a widow who has to make a living for herself and her family. I cannot spend all my time teaching, broadcasting and writing unless I charge some money. The facilitator's group is not in fact that expensive, most of the money is for the on-going weekly learning and in any case even if you charge only a small amount for attendance of your group you should cover the cost pretty quickly. I would love to be in a position to give it all over for free. Right now I can't. (However to put it into perspective we all pay for other services and training we receive, so this is not different.)
