Mystical Topics & Halacha
Halacha dominates our religious practice. There are elements of halacha which are clearly of mystical or supernatural nature. Does halacha demand that we conform to such mystical or supernatural practices? What should one do when halacha conflicts with the instructions of the Zohar or related mystical works? Join Rabbi Dovid Fink and examine the opinions of the great authorities regarding specific issues, such as: heavenly voices (bat kol); drinking uncovered water; the interpretation of dreams; communicating with the dead (doresh el ha-meitim); the danger of even numbers (zugot); and astrology.
Mystical Topics & Halacha: Lesson 1
Conflict between Halacha and Kabbala – Our spiritual lives are largely dominated by the mystical principles of the Zohar, the writings of the AriZal, and related literature. Conflict occasionally arises between our mystical literature on the one hand, and Mishna, Talmud, Tur, Shulchan Aruch on the other hand. We shall begin by carefully examining the approaches of the great authorities to such conflict in general. In subsequent classes, we shall deal with specific issues, such as the role of dreams, astrology, etc.
In addition to being one of Rabbi Brovender's first students, Rabbi Dovid Fink is an outstanding expertﾠand teacher of Halacha. Rabbi Fink received his Rabbinic ordination from ITRI and the Mir and was awarded his Ph.D in Semitic Languages and Linguistics from Yale University. Rav Fink has taught thousands of students from all over the world for over 35 years.