Welcome to another zman at Webyeshiva. Tommorow night, 8pm, we will begin a series of classes and meditations on 10 major foundation principles in Kabbalah. This will not be a class to simply learn the names of the Sephirot, the names of the Partztufim, the names of the portions of the soul. These are necessary tools to advance in learning, comprehension and access to higher understanding. But each student is encouraged to learn this material according to his desire and ability. This aspect of Kabbalah is similar to learning the names of places on a map, the names being Divinely sourced have power in consciousness; and their assignment metaphorically to places on our bodies, and in family structure are not coincidental, or mere learning devices. This is the work every serious student of kaballah must do, learning and reviewing perhaps many times. The information is straightforward, and available in every book of Kabbalah, and printed in many langauges.
Our series this zman will be an exploration of foundational concepts that help to understand various ideas that we may struggle with our entire lives. Tomorrow we will begin with the idea that ‘There is nothing new under the sun,” from King Solomon, and how the Kabbalists understand this verse, with explanations and examples that illuminate the simple pshat of the verse. The idea of time, creation, and hiddenness, revelation, affinity of form, contraction of the Infinite into the finite with be discussed. We will enter the Workings of Creation, which provide the spiritual highways that a true initiate may travel, with Hashem’s help. The travelling is called Ma’aseh HaMerkavah, the Workings of the Chariot, which Rabbi Areyeh Kaplan has helped us to understand are the practices of Kabbalistic meditation.
Looking forward to seeing you there,
Avraham Shira