Information on Talks and Seminars for Jewish Book Council Attendees
Dear Representatives of Jewish Organisations,
This year as we have to meet online, we won't be able to have a genuine get- together at the formal Jewish Network Conference where normally we would will be able to chat, ask questions of each other, and get to know each other informally besides the 2-min formal pitch.
I'm Yedidah Cohen, and I live in Tsfat, Israel, so I live not only at a geographical distance but also at a cultural distance from you. Geographical distance can be solved to some extent by Zoom or Skype , but cultural distance is harder to solve, and I have found nothing beats old fashioned face- to- face. But we have to deal with reality as it is now.
So here I have put together some materials for you to look at my work and see what i have to offer, what subjects I cover and suggest ideas , and I hope that you , in your turn will reach out to me, and tell me about your communities, and what you would like to work on together.
The Master of the Ladder, the book that I have translated and which is being presented at the conference, is not just a biography but an introduction into the complex and enriching world of Kabbalah. This is a field of Jewish thought that I have been involved with over the last thirty years, learning, writing and teaching,, and it is this rich experience that I am wishing to share with you, if you invite me to present at your events.
In my background I come from a modern orthodox family, but I lead groups and teach this material to people right around the Jewish spectrum and around the world, from the most unaffiliated through to reform to conservative. to modern orthodox and even the chareidi community. This material really does have something to say to us all , because its basic theme is " Love your neighbor as yourself" and we all need help on that whoever we are. That said the type of forum I have found works best is one in which Jewish study, spirituality or learning is of interest. So synagogues, lectures, discussion groups, text based study are all venues which work well.
Here is a list of suggested topics that we could go into, all of which are brought in the book, The Master of the Ladder but as I said this is only a start.....
My very good wishes and hope for everyone to stay well,
Hope to " see" you on line,
Yedidah
This year as we have to meet online, we won't be able to have a genuine get- together at the formal Jewish Network Conference where normally we would will be able to chat, ask questions of each other, and get to know each other informally besides the 2-min formal pitch.
I'm Yedidah Cohen, and I live in Tsfat, Israel, so I live not only at a geographical distance but also at a cultural distance from you. Geographical distance can be solved to some extent by Zoom or Skype , but cultural distance is harder to solve, and I have found nothing beats old fashioned face- to- face. But we have to deal with reality as it is now.
So here I have put together some materials for you to look at my work and see what i have to offer, what subjects I cover and suggest ideas , and I hope that you , in your turn will reach out to me, and tell me about your communities, and what you would like to work on together.
The Master of the Ladder, the book that I have translated and which is being presented at the conference, is not just a biography but an introduction into the complex and enriching world of Kabbalah. This is a field of Jewish thought that I have been involved with over the last thirty years, learning, writing and teaching,, and it is this rich experience that I am wishing to share with you, if you invite me to present at your events.
In my background I come from a modern orthodox family, but I lead groups and teach this material to people right around the Jewish spectrum and around the world, from the most unaffiliated through to reform to conservative. to modern orthodox and even the chareidi community. This material really does have something to say to us all , because its basic theme is " Love your neighbor as yourself" and we all need help on that whoever we are. That said the type of forum I have found works best is one in which Jewish study, spirituality or learning is of interest. So synagogues, lectures, discussion groups, text based study are all venues which work well.
Here is a list of suggested topics that we could go into, all of which are brought in the book, The Master of the Ladder but as I said this is only a start.....
- Rabbi Ashlag's unique contribution: Rabbi Ashlag was a true Kabbalist. But what does that mean? How did his Kabbalah influence the way he saw things? How did it impact his life and the life of others around him? What were his main contributions to Judaism and its development as he opened Kabbalah for us all. How would the knowledge of kabbalah help and enhance us our own lives in the here and now?
- Why the soul incarnates? This is a topic which fascinates us all. Why did we come into this very difficult world though which we all go through so much pain and suffering.What does the soul gain? Rabbi Ashlag wrote a deeply moving and powerful letter to his brother in which he looks at this question.
- Dvekut: Unity with the Creator: How can we be one with the Creator? Surely He is a flaming fire! Said the Sages! Indeed. How can we unite with the Unknowable? Does enlightenment exist only in Hinduism and Buddhism or is it also a concept in Judaism? What does this enlightenment mean and is it for is it available only for great scholars or meditation masters? What about the ordinary person, you and me? Can we also achieve unity with the Creator?
- The inner meaning of the Jewish Festivals: The special times in the year when we as Jews celebrate. We can schedule a meeting prior to one of the great festivals, Pesach (Passover) and learn the inner meanings behind the rituals of Seder night as revealed in the Zohar , the central book of Jewish Kabbalah: The four cups of wine; why we tell the story; The significance of the Seder plate; and many other topics on this most central event in the Jewish calendar. Or for example The joy of the High Holy Days. Most people feel uncomfortable as we come up to the High Holy days, seeing them as times of guilt and shame. But their inner reality is one of great joy.
- How and why was the Kabbalah concealed and in what way is it revealed now? How does the Kabbalah shed light on the Torah? How does Kabbalah shed light on ourselves? Why is it popular now? What does this popularity tell us about our specific generation?
- The establishment of a just society run on lines of justice and compassion. What would such a society look like? What parameters would it need? What would our economic system look like? Rabbi Ashlag had definite ideas on this subject. ( NB This would be a session on principles only: not a political discussion, either of US politics or of Israeli politics.)
- And of course, the story of Rabbi Ashlag, and his students as told in The Master of the Ladder. The love that existed between them and the love of friends and companions on their spiritual journey and how we also need to develop the love of friends and companions on our own spiritual path, no matter who we are.
- There are excerpts from the Zohar brought in The Master of the Ladder, We could even have a text- based learn-in and delve deeply into a piece of Zohar together. Something I love to do and eager to share. ( no previous knowledge required.)
- Book Club discussion questions
My very good wishes and hope for everyone to stay well,
Hope to " see" you on line,
Yedidah
