Creation Story
According to the mystical teachings of Kabbala, Adam and Eve were created in in Gan Eden and travelled to Har Habayit (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem. The Zohar teaches that they were created from the Mountain itself when God formed the first man/woman combination through divinely empowered speech. How did the “first family” developed? What were its achievements and disappointments? How are these teachings reflected in the month of the High Holy Days?
Creation Story: Lesson 1
Welcome and Shalom to a new semester at Web Yeshiva. This Elul zman we will focus on the Creation story, through the eyes of the Zohar and other masters of the Kabbalah, with a specific interest in the connection between the creation of Adam and Eve and Har Habayit, the place of the Beit HaMikdash, and what the Zohar calls, ‘The Place of the World’ from which Creation began. Since Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the anniversary of creation itself, and the beginning of the physical realm, we will try to unite these concepts into one cohesive whole by which, if we merit, we will begin to glimpse and perhaps experience the integrated nature of God, Man, and the Universe. This material is challenging to both our preconceived ideas and our skills of interpretation. I look forward to being with all of you, and receiving your comments and insights as always. This is the realm of Ma-asei Breishit, an area restricted to most students of Torah, but with the help of the Rabbis, the Zohar, and the scientists that have dealt with time and space, we too may take a journey to the beginning of time, even if for only a moment. God bless all of you with an inspiring Elul and we will see you tomorrow night. Avraham Shira
Creation Story: Lesson 2
Shalom and Welcome,Tomrrow night we will continue Creation story with the connection between Adam and Eve and Har Habit. , and the creation of space from the body of man, and the ideas of kabbalistic measurement of time and space. We will conclude with a classic Zohar piece that should prepare us for Rosh Shana, the day of judgment for all the world, explaining one of the most difficult questions, How bad thinngs happen to good people.. Look forward to seeing you there, for once we understand the levels of God’s judgment we can begini to understand the awesome responsibility he places upon man for the maintanence of this world. Avraham Archives has 2 parts this week
Creation Story: Lesson 3
Shalom and Welcome, Tomorrow night we will contniue our exploration of The Creation Story of Adam and Eve and Rosh HaShana, Yom haDin. The Zohar will guide us to newer and deeper understandings of what it means that God ‘sits’ on his ‘throne’ and judges the world, both as a collective and as a group of individuals. And if we merit we will learn the integral nature of how judgment is a necessary function of a free world, perfect and eternal , and also an expression of god’s love for us. We will touch on Adam’s response to his own judgment and the power of teshuva, repentance, and the power of words as the tool of repair for all creation.. These teachings will challenge our sense of fairness and justice, which, as we have seen, is the way we learn best, as wehen the Torah challenges our old understanding in order to give us a new one.. Look forward to seeing all of then. Avraham Shira