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LATEST CLASSES
This is a selection of the latest classes
recorded over the last 60 days.
April 2015 Classes
Duties of the Heart (Hovot HaLevavot)
The Three Sciences that Reveal the Will of God.
Lesson 1 – Introduction. This class introduces us to a classic of
Torah literature. Yet, however Jewish this text is, we confirm how the
author, Rabbeynu Bahya Ibn Pquda, was inspired by, and borrowed often from a
then popular Islamic Sufi text. This respect for, and borrowing from sources
outside the normal chain of Torah tradition serves us as a role model and
example to always respect truth, wherever that truth is to be found.
The importance of the study of the natural sciences, math and music are to
understanding the world around us, and by consequence enabling us to better
understand God, through that which He has made.
Recognizing God in nature, and in all things. Maturing our understanding
about God from being a personification, and into a recognition of universal
Being and Mind. The purpose of meditation, as opposed to its forms.
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for
Universal Torah, by R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 8 – Man, the Temple of God, Inherent Good, and the Meaning of Freedom
Part 2, Chapter 2 – This lesson opens with a discussion defining the
difference between Hebraic and Greek thinking. The Hebraic mind sees no
split between the spiritual and the physical, whereas the Greek mind drew
strong lines of distinction between the two. It is this significant
difference in global outlook that underlies the difference between the
religions of Judaism and Christianity.
Continued discussion defining the fundamental differences between the two
faiths, how Christianity looks at man needing to be saved, and how such a
salvation is unheard of, and unnecessary in Judaism. Man is inherently good,
and will face a positive future.
Human freedom, man is free from the spirit of determinism. Reference to
Calvinism, and the eastern idea of Karma, and how Torah fundamentally
disagrees with both. Every individual has a positive foundation, and can
move forward with self improvement.
The meaning of “there is no mazal for Israel.”
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for
Universal Torah, by R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 7 – The Unity of Humanity & Human Dignity
Part 2, Chapter 1. The Biblical message of the common origins of all
humanity indicates a unity of all peoples. A long discussion and
condemnation of racism, in all its forms, including within Judaism itself.
All souls are one in Adam. All humanity has a common origin, and will
together face a common future. Mashiah comes to rectify all, not just one
religion over another.The ills of the concept of national superiority, with
the example of American abuse of the continental natives, the
Cherokee/Israelite connection is mentioned.
Torah speaks in the language of man, therefore, one should not be surprised
to discover Biblical stories found in other cultures, with the stories
formatted to the norms of those cultures.
The necessary unity of body and soul, how physicality is an integral part of
spirituality. The philosophical origins of the separation between the
spiritual, and the physical, and how this aberration has continued to this
day. This contradicts the very foundation of Judaism, and Kabbalah, which
calls for the union of Heaven and Earth, of Tiferet and Malkhut.
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March 2015 Classes
Amud HaTefilah – the Column of Prayer. Teachings of
the Ba'al Shem Tov.
Lesson 2 – The Power of Rational Clarity
A discussion about “segulot” (spiritual formulas that claim to
work miracles). Why these are not magic, and what is their real power
psychologically. A discussion about faith, and how it too is not magic, but
rather how faith motivates one from the unconscious to make different
decisions, and choices, that can open the path to the outcome that one
seeks.
Prayer is not a mythical practice of politely speaking to an imagined deity
somewhere over the rainbow. Prayer consciousness must include a clarity of
thought of what it is exactly that one is doing when one prays. One must
also have the emotional component of conviction that what one seeks is
indeed proper and correct.
Examples given of the Kabbalistic Siddur of the Rashash, what it means, and
how it is realistically supposed to work.
Those with mental clarity are compared to the Tree of Life, whereas those
who see only what they want to see through the influence of clouded emotions
are compared to the Tree of Knowledge, Good and Evil.
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for
Universal Torah, by R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 6 – Divine Providence, God Equally Rules Over All
Chapter 4. God is the director of all life, equally the Director, Lord and
Judge of Israel, the rest of humanity, the whole of nature, and also to
include whatever forms of extraterrestrial life we my some day encounter.
Life is a singularity, and it is sacred everywhere. YHWH upholds and
supports all life, equally in balanced justice. Even the animal kingdom is
provided for, and protected by God.
The light to the nations is the message of this universal law, that all life
is sacred, and that all life is one, under the Guidance and direction of the
Universal Singularity, YHWH.
In the messianic future, all human differences will not be erased, but
rather transcended. Instead of being hostile due to differences, we will
learn to respect and honor differences, and recognizes how like spokes of a
wheel, all are connected to the singular center.
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for Universal Torah,
by R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 5 – The “Pagan” Origins of Judaism, the Original Message of Torah.
The Biblical message is clear, a single God created all existence
and all humanity. Thus, all the world, and all humanity is ultimately united
in source. The Biblical message proclaims that just as all in the beginning
was one, so too in the messianic future will all return to the one. In the
mean time, it is our job to gather the pieces of our lost unity.
Judaism developed over many centuries, and included many influences from
clear pagan sources, such as Melchizedek and Jethro. Even the Hebrew
language was originally Canaanite.
An important Torah teaching based on Malakhi 1:11 is that God is known in
every nation and culture. God reveals Him/Itself under different Names, and
it is the job of Israel to gather the disconnected spark to reunite them as
a whole, and this is how God's Name is unified.
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Amud HaTefilah – the Column of Prayer. Teachings of
the Ba'al Shem Tov.
Lesson 1 – The Body, Soul and Inner Divinity.
An introduction as to why I offered this class when I did. Dream
inspirations.
Artistic, individualized interpretations of religious literature. The
Hadisic method can be described as an impressionistic way of reinterpreting
scripture and sacred writings to extract individualized ethical, and moral
lessons. The difference between pshat and pesher.
Prayer and speech in general consists on spoken words (body), emotional
input (soul), and a deeper source from where it all springs for (the divine
within).
Understanding the nature of our own inner intensity, or lack of it, defines
for us whether or not our words are “alive” and “enlivened.”
Prayers as projections into the collective consciousness, as opposed to
requests made to a distant, and misunderstood God.
Example of prayers for healing. How psychic prayer works. The importance of
the union of body, soul, and inner divinity within all things. Extended
discussion about the obligations to follow professional medical directives.
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Book of Visions (Sefer Hiziyonot) of R. Hayim Vital
Lesson 4 – Vision of the Demon Kings in the Looking Glass
An in-depth introduction into the Islamic understanding of the
Jinn, and how it compares to both the Jewish Kabbalistic and Christian views
about demons.
Readings from
Legends of the Fire Spirits, Jinn and Genies from
Arabia to Zanzibar, by Robert Lebling (pages 4, 141-148).
Curios how many of the details revealed by the Jinn, and recorded herein,
are similar to those recorded by R. Hayim Vital and other Kabbalistic
authors.
The subtle differences between psychotic hallucination, and possible, actual
contact with the other race than inhabits our world.
The Jinn (Shedim) are said to have religions, and follow the human religions
of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. R. Hayim makes reference to a Christian
shed, Lebling references both Muslim and Jewish Jinn. The Zohar also
references the Shedim Yehudaim.
We conclude with a discussion of the astral body, and the after-life.
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for Universal Torah,
by R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 4 – YHWH, Tribal God or Singularity, the Psychology of Idolatry
Chapter 2, with readings from Erich Fromm's
“Religion and Psychology”
(pages 114-119) and Edward Edinger's
“The Bible and the Psyche” (pages
65,69).
There was an original concept of a Singularity long before there was a
concept of diversity and division. Reference to pre-Adamic civilization, and
when the concepts of dividing Divinity occurred and why.
The original concept of the significance of God as the Singularity of
existence and how this is reflected in humanity being created in the Image
of God in essence to state that humanity also shares this singularity and
unity as a human race.
One who respects God respects his fellow man, and one who disrespects his
fellow man is by definition disrespecting God.
The psychology of idolatry, what exactly is idolatry as a human state of
mind, and how almost everyone, in one form or another, creates one's own
“psychological” (if not actual) idol. Readings from Fromm.
The purpose of Israel's initial exclusion from the nations, and why the
Sages of Israel created the hedge around the Torah. Readings from Edinger
explain the psychology of this.
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Book of Visions (Sefer Hiziyonot) of R. Hayim Vital
Lesson 3 – The Vision of Hannah Vital, R. Hayim's Wife.
Emphasis on the subjective nature of this mystical material. We
are not dealing here with objective spiritual facts, but rather subjective,
psychological projections. When understood in this manner, the material is
properly and best appreciated.
We discuss R. Hayim's belief that the Ari'zal was born only to teach him, R.
Hayim, his unique version of Kabbalah. R. Hayim refuses to teach Kabbalah to
R. Moshe Alshekh, his teacher in classical Judaism. We discuss in detail why
this was so.
We conclude with the vision dream of Hannah Vital, R. Hayim's wife.
Considering the description given in the text, the vision described therein
sounds more like an hallucination, as opposed to a literal spiritual vision.
The differences between these experiences is discussed in detail.
We conclude with a reinforcement of our understanding about the humanity of
R. Hayim, the human being, and his unique world outlook.
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A complimentary free lesson
KosherTorah Open Forum for March 2, 2015
The meaning of “kosher” Torah and the
importance of a rounded education. How the study of other schools of
religion and philosophy should help strengthen one's own personal faith. How
the Talmudic Sages were widely versed in all areas of knowledge, scientific
and otherwise. We should follow in their footsteps. Why women's education is
so important, and how it should never be belittled or abused.
The situation in the Middle East. The history of the present Sunni/Shiite
conflict and how this comes into play with the conflicts with ISIS and Iran.
The dangers posed by the introduction of nuclear weapons into the hands of
those who, for religious purposes, are willing to us them.
A reading from Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Kook (Orot Me-Ofel 8) warning of the
destruction of Europe because of the unstable foundations of its society.
This class places focus on the need to build bridges between communities,
seek an end to strife and divisions, and to emphasize education and
tolerance as the tools for saving humanity from having to face another world
war.
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February 2015 Classes
The Transformation and Empowerment of
the Mind
Avraham ben Rambam's Guide to Serving God, Chapter 13, Spiritual Retreat,
Lesson 5, final in series
Spiritual retreat is for the purpose of mental isolation. Mental
isolation, when performed properly lead to transformations in human
consciousness. These in turn are said to unleash the powers of the inner
mind, releasing what are termed psychic powers of mind over matter.
Reference to R. Shimon Bar Yohai and the episode of the cave. The experience
of Eliyahu is psychological/psychic, and not necessarily an actual physical
close encounter. Readings from modern Sufi texts and the powers that they
claim can be unleashed through the version of chant meditation called dhikr.
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Book of Visions (Sefer Hiziyonot) of R. Hayim Vital
Lesson 2 – Hayim Vital, Mashiah and Husband
R. Hayim begins with a teaching how he is supposed to be Mashiah ben
Yosef, and how in time to come thousands and thousands of students were to
gather to him in Safed. Needless to say this never literally happened. This
bring us into a study of the psychology of the numinosum (the inner
revelation of a visualized higher being). Each religion and cultures
experiences visions within their individual contexts. R. Hayim interpreted
all things in his life through the veil of his kabbalistic beliefs. His
relationship with his wife, and the birth and death of a daughter are all
interpreted within the contexts of reincarnation. It is not important
whether or not this is true, because it was true to R. Hayim in his mind and
reality. Spiritual experiences are always subjective realities. Discussion
about various schools of Kabbalah, and the underlying psychology that causes
them to differ. Are Kabbalisitc visions (or apocalypses) real visions, or
are they psychological projections. All this is discussed.
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for Universal Torah,
by R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 3 – Ancient Mystery Teachings, Torah, Freemasonry & the Ultimate
Singularity.
End chapter 1- beginning chapter 2. There is a definite
connection between many of the teachings of ancient mystery religions and
the teachings of ancient Torah, and even original Rabbinic Judaism. How and
why did these connections come about. We discuss the underlying universal
teachings that the ancient schools taught, and how they are continued to
modern day in Freemasonry. How freemasonry has a close relationship to the
Noahide code, and how it has adopted much from mystical Judaism. Reference
to “The History of Freemasonry” by Albert Mackey. R. Benamozegh states that
the answer to the problems faced in modern religions can be found in the
Kabbalistic experience of the Ultimate Singularity, which is the Being of
the universe. This is YHWH, God, the Creator. Emphasis is on experience, not
theory, theology or philosophy.
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Synagogue or Temple, Shielding the
Light
Avraham ben Rambam's Guide to Serving God, Chapter 13, Spiritual Retreat,
Lesson 4
R. Avraham's continued commentary on Psalm 84. He makes a very strong
statement against hypocritical behavior performed in Synagogues, deploring
the lack of focus and intent on prayer, and a general lack of respect for
both Torah and God. He places emphasis how prayer and meditation is too
focus on the development of one's inner Temple, and how from this inner
place of psychological balance and harmony one can come to have an
experience of the Divine Light. Experiencing Divine Light follows the path
of nature itself. The sun does not rise all at once, but rises as a process
beginning with dawn and going through to sunrise. So too does the experience
of the Divine encounter not happen all at once, but develops in stages based
upon one's personal development of inner balance, emotional maturity, and
mental clarity. Also discussed is an important issue in Jewish law, when
should one pray alone, and not at the Synagogue. One should also read this.
http://koshertorah.com/PDF/Daven-alone.pdf
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Book of Visions (Sefer Hiziyonot) of R. Hayim Vital
Lesson 1 – Who was this man?
Hayim Vital was the son of a Sicilian Jewish family. He was educated in
classical Judaism, but he always had an inkling towards the mystical, and
even the magical. His diary reveals to us interesting details about his
life, and attitudes. But most interesting is that this, his diary, reveals
to us the personality of the man, his ego. R. Hayim, the man saw himself in
a grandiose light, and considered himself larger than the life he led. Why
this was so is discussed within the context of Jungian psychology. This
lesson is important in that it teaches us how to look at religious figures
honesty, without the veils of legend and myth. Religious figures are human
beings, who, just like us, suffer from all of life's travails. This course
will give us insights into R. Hayim's life, his personality, his ego, his
world and how he related to it. This is a great series (and class) to grasp
the reality of Kabbalah and the humanity of one of its greatest teachers.
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Avraham ben Rambam – Guide to Serving God, Chapter
13, Spiritual Retreat
Lesson 3 – Building in the Inner Temple of God.
R. Avraham's commentary on Psalm 84, and how it must be interpreted as a cry
of the soul. Readings from Quadrant, the Jungian journal for Analytical
Psychology. The psychology of meditation, the reorientation of psychic
energy from a state of widespread diffusion (and weakness), to a state of
focus and strength. The Temple is ruins and exile are symbolic metaphors for
a psychological state wherein which one is disconnected from one's inner
self. Rebuilding the Temple is the psychological process of reconnecting
with our inner selves and with God. The coming of Mashiah is also a
psychological state, as is stated by the Ba'al Shem Tov. Before Mashiah can
come to the world, Mashiah consciousness must first be realized in the
individual soul. The desire for the Temple, the House of God, is the desire
within the heart to experience the spiritual encounter. This is the purpose
of spiritual retreat.
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Israel & Humanity – the Quest for Universal Torah, by
R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 2 – The Origins of Monotheism.
Chapter 1 – The unity of God. Monotheism did not start with Moses. There
is a strong overlap and influence of Egyptian culture and religious beliefs
on fledgling Judaism. Discussion of the Hyksos, the early Egyptian
monotheists. Cross cultural influences can be seen from the ancient Greek
Pythagorean school to the ancient Indian Vedic (Hindu) schools. Torah is in
the middle uniting them all. This is the role of Universal Torah. Defense of
the Kabbalah, how this universal application of Torah elevates Judaism out
of its limited national role, and enables it to rightly be a light to the
nations.
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Avraham ben Rambam – Guide to Serving God, Chapter
13, Spiritual Retreat, 2
Lesson 2 – inward and outward retreat. How rural living leads to
a transformation of perception. Seeing God in all things, everywhere.
Reading from Maimonides' Guide to the Perplexed (3:51) about the high level
of God consciousness (hasagah), and the life benefits that this brings.
Examples of rural living from the Bible. Outward retreat is a means to the
end of inward retreat, where the mind detaches from the delusions of
dichotomy, and recognizes how all is God, as it says, Ayn Ohd Me'Livado
(there is no reality other then “Him”).
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Israel & Humanity - The Quest for Universal Torah, by
R. Elijah Benamozegh
Lesson 1 – Introduction. Addressing the modern “great religious crises.”
The concept of universal Torah, what it is, and why it is so desperately
needed today. Understanding the pursuit of truth, and our necessary
willingness to embrace it wherever found. Dialog with students addressing
their own prejudices against certain other cultures and religions.
References to Hinduism and Indian culture. Why prejudice and racism in
religion cannot be tolerated. The importance of the natural harmony found in
Talmudic/Rabbinic Judaism. A basic introduction into general philosophy of
the author, R. Elijah Benamozegh, and its relationship to later authors,
like Rav A. Y. Kook. The messianic concept of Tikkun, the spirit of the
prophet Elijah, how we can integrate this ourselves.
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Questions? Comments?
Email me at:
koshertorah@wildblue.net