Forum Activity for @judy-howard

Kabbalah Part 16

Halachah

Kabbalah part 16
What is the state of Kabbalah today? Chassidim are centered on the ideas of Kabbalah, but, for the most part, not on studying the primary texts. Only people on an advanced level would touch the actual Zohar or Writings of the ARI, The big exception is Breslov, where Kabbalah is freely studied. . Chabad is very open about teaching and studying Kabbalistic ideas, especially as seen through the lens of Chassidism, but all but the most advanced do not study Zohar. There is a video of Rabbi Ashlag, who wrote a Hebrew translation of the Zohar and a commentary, urging the Lubavitcher Rebbe to encourage his followers to study Zohar daily. His entreaty was met with refusal. Yet, Kabbalistic ideas abound in Chabad literature and thought. In Middle Eastern Sepharadic circles, even the uneducated will read the Zohar, without knowing its meaning. They find the recitation alone to be inspiring. Rabbis in those communities are generally well versed in Zohar, and Kabbalistic rituals are common in those circles. Among non Chassidic Ashkenazim, Kabbalah is either put on a shelf, or actually opposed.. At best, a sterilized, non emotional Kabbalah is studied. In Modern Orthodox circles, Kabbalah is usually rejected outright. This is not true in Israel, as the writings of Rav Kook are almost totally based on Kabbalah. "New Agers" rediscovered Kabbalah, but mostly as a way of "spacing out", often in combination with drugs and promiscuity. The mid twentieth century saw the birth of various Kabbalah Centers, teaching a "New Agey" Kabbalah. For example, the Messianic Era becomes the "Age of Aquarius". Observance of the mitzvot is absent, and Kabbalah becomes a quasi philosophical/self help, Universalist movement. On the positive side, the Open Orthodox movement sees Kabbalah as a major part of Torah and Jewish life, recognizing that it is, in fact, the soul of Judaism. Non Orthodox movements have historically rejected Kabbalah, but that is now changing. An ethical understanding of Judaism, as preached by classical Reform, or an historical approach, championed by Conservative, solves few people's spiritual longings and questioning. Several people have come forward in both those movements, with a message that spiritual truths are to be found in Kabbalah. The urge to find G-d is strong. Ironically, it is often the local Orthodox rabbis who try to squelch this impulse. I know many people who were attracted to Judaism because of the Kabbalistic writings, especially those of Rabbi Nachman, only to be told by their rabbis that it is forbidden to read these works. Indeed, the ArtScroll editions of classical Torah commentaries have Kabbalah carefully censored out. I don't beleive that this can continue. Numerous people seek G-d through His Torah. Besides the roadblocks put in the way of those seeking conversion, the next hurdle is a Judaism that is essentially "do this, and don't do that", with incredibly shallow explanation of why that is good. Eventually, people will simply not stand for it. I am told that in many parts of the U.S., spiritually sterile Modern Orthodoxy is already being replaced with Chabad. I see this as a step in the right direction. Like when Chassidism first began, and was persecuted by the Yeshiva heads of Central and Eastern Europe, the people "voted with their feet", and non Chassidic Orthodoxy was mostly left in the dust in many areas. In the words of Rabbi Nachman is one of his stories: "Keep your treasures! Make use of them!".

Hebrew Grammar

Misc

@jeffrey-siegel, another question for this forum.

A friend of mine posted this and I was hoping for your take on it.

Ashkenazi-Sefardi Pronunciation...the difference:

I've noticed that Ashkenazi synagogues pronounce some words differently than Sefardi synagogues. What is the halachic status of these two variants? Do Ashkenazim who speak "Israeli" on a daily basis act consistently if they use a different pronunciation only for prayers?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:
Today there are two forms of Hebrew pronunciation. One is "Israeli/Sefardi" pronunciation which is characterized by all tavs said as "t" and the kamatz vowel pronounced as "a." The second is "Ashkenazi," typified by the "s" sound of the unpointed tav and the kamatz pronounced as "o." A typical example is whether to say Shabbat or Shabbos.

Every Jew has a tradition/custom of how to act. This includes many aspects of Judaism including dress, text of prayers, and pronunciation. Each Jew has to follow his/her traditions and customs. Indeed, the Talmud says that the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt because they didn't change clothes, names and language!

In the last century, when spoken Hebrew became revived in Israel as a modern language, Sefardi pronunciation became adopted as the prevailing style for business, conversation, etc. Let's clarify: Your question is not an issue of modern spoken Hebrew. That is defined solely by Israeli street, which uses "Hebraicized" words such as "telephone" and "food processor."

The halachic issue is that some Ashkenazi Jews switched over to this pronunciation for prayers as well. This is very difficult to support. Many authorities maintain that an Ashkenazi who pronounces the name of God (Aleph, Daled, Nun and Yud) in the "Israeli" way has not fulfilled his obligation. This applies when saying blessings, praying, or a public Torah reading. For example, when saying the Shema twice daily, the halacha demands one to pronounce every letter of the Shema perfectly. Switching to Sefardi pronunciation would be problematic in this regard. (Mishnah Berurah 68:4; Shu"t Minchat Yitzhak 3:9)

If you are Ashkenazi and grew up learning only the Sefardi pronunciation, I realize that it is difficult to adjust to the Ashkenazi way when saying prayers. Many have done so successfully, and as an aid you may want to mark a red dot in your Siddur in the places where you need to remember to pronounce correctly.

Let me add that when praying in a synagogue that is different from your own customs, you should follow what the custom of the synagogue in anything that is said aloud. That means you should recite Kedusha, Kaddish and even an aliyah to Torah the same as they do. Regarding the silent Shemoneh Esrei, however, which is not "public," you should pray your own text and pronunciation.

updated by @judy-howard: 31 Mar 2020 10:42:59

Creation-Letters-Words-Kelipot

Halachah

@jeffrey-siegel Boker Tov Rabbi,  I wanted to ask a question last night but wasn't sure if if this topic would be a short answer.  When reviewing #64 in the Likutey Moharan, I had a thought.  We learned that when the Ein Sof constricted a part of himself in order to create, the vessels that contained HaShem's light shattered therefore my question is based on the assumption that these vessels of wisdom were the letters.  So I am wondering, when the vessel's shattered were there new letters created in order to finish creation? As well as after the vessels shattered and are now considered kelipot would the letter and or sefirot still be attached to the shards?  (I think I know the answer to the second question however its more for validation.)

I am using #64:3 where it says, "The creation came into existence by means of the spoken word, as it is written (psalms 33:6) "By the word of G-d the heavens were made and by the breath of His mouth their entire host was created."  The spoken word contains wisdom, because the whole of speech is but the five articulators of the mouth.  Through them all the things of the entire creation came into existence, as it is written (ibid. 104:24), "you created them all with wisdom."

The spoken word is the demarcation of all things.  G-d circumscribed His wisdom in the letters, such that certain letters demarcate one thing, while other letters demarcate something else.

Also from Sefer Yatzirah, I was reading this,

"Each Sefirah is associated with a letter, and when these letters are physically brought together, the Sefirot can also interact............Even though the Sefirot were created before the physical world, they exist in a domain that is above time, where past, present and future are one.

Although the letters are best known as they are written down physically they actually also represent spiritual forces.....These spiritual forces are the "letters with which heaven and earth were created."

These passages and others are why I am assuming that when Rabbi Nachman speaks of vessels of light that they are letters.

Thank you Rabbi.

updated by @judy-howard: 31 Mar 2020 10:42:59

Weekly Parashah: Toldot - Living Water

It is really difficult to read these Parashahs and find something new.  We know how the story ends therefore, I can gloss over areas that really do say something of value while I am just trying to get to the end or my favorite part.  That was this week for me.  

 This week what kept making a debut were those wells that Isaac re-dug.  I knew about them but just really didn't care, do you know what I mean?  There is that other story of lies, intrigue and hatred that makes this Torah Portion such a sensation.  I was listening to Aleph Beta and there the wells were discussed but it wasn't until I read Genesis with the Baal Shem Tov that something started to click.  In the "Mystical Teachings on The Weekly Torah Portion," {Commentary by Rabbi Doctor Eliezer Shore} the Baal Shem Tov has this to say,

This is the mystery of all the wells that the Forefathers dug in order to find water-meaning Torah-in the "earth"- i.e. on the lowest level.  For each of them, by perfecting his character traits, brought forth a revelation of Torah-"a well of living water" Toldot 26:19-from the earth and the lowest levels, so that it not be covered over again.  

However, after Avraham died, these revelations were sealed up by the "earth" that covered the "water."  This was due to the Philistines - the impure shells that reasserted themselves.  But Isaac came and redug the wells, as it is written" "He redug the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham." Toldot 26:18  This too refers to the revelation of Torah by Abraham and Isaac.  And even today, Torah lies hidden in those very deeds of Abraham and Isaac.  And all of this was to repair the future generations.  For were it not for the Forefathers, it would be impossible to have any understanding of Torah, and to draw close to G-d at all.

Inner fear of G-d is called "Rechovos,' for there is no fear of the Kelipot there, so that one must limit oneself because of them - - through suffering, small mindedness and self affliction to prevent them from leeching on to holiness.  Rather, "Now G-d has broadened us" with the inner essence of fear that is called Rechovos.  Then "we shall be fruitful in the land" - we will give forth fruits, to turn the multitude from sin, to be a Rabbi and a Rebbe, to uplift and create souls.  However if a person is a Rabbi or Rebbe yet lacks inner fear, he is from the Kelipot nogah.  (  Kelipat  Nogah can be uplifted and refined.   From Chabad,http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361900/jewish/Kelipot-and-Sitra-Achra.htm)

I find this so cool!  I never thought of "living water" as Torah or even as HaShem only as the Holy Spirit.  But look at these....

Jeremiah 2:13  " For My people  have committed   two   evils:   They have forsaken   Me, The fountain   of living   waters,   To hew   for themselves cisterns,   Broken   cisterns   That can   hold   no   water.

Zechariah 14:8 And in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter.

Jeremiah 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD.

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of living water.

It just doesn't get any more clearer than that.   Except let us not forget the Samaritan woman at the well.

John 4:13   “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;  14  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

updated by @judy-howard: 17 Nov 2017 10:17:34

Question...

Misc

Whew, that sounds complicated.  Are the heavens like "worlds in that they represent sefirot?

Wife or Concubine

Misc

"Abraham was the "father of many nations", his wives were Sarah, from the descendants of Shem, Hagar, from the descendants of Ham (she was Egyptian), and Keturah from the descendants of Japheth."

This explanation Rabbi, makes total sense to me.  A couple of us were thinking Hagar would have been too old by this time to produce 6 more kids.  It was also interesting that Torah separates Ishmael from his half brothers.

The thought of Abraham being a part of every nation is exciting.  

Sefer Torah

613 Mitzvot

Wow!  Thank you.  All of that makes total sense.  Much more than the paper I am reading.  I wanted to purchase a Sefer Torah to pass on to my grandchildren however if there are concerns over Kashrut then spending thousands of dollars would be insane.  

I have a Hebrew Tanack that is only Hebrew and then the living Torah.  Would these in a very small way satisfy the mitzvah?  Not that I am concerned anymore about this obligation however I am curious. 

Sefer Torah

613 Mitzvot

Currently I am reading, A Response to “Women’s Eligibility to Write Sifrei Torah”
Dov Linzer

It is very academic but has answered many questions.

Sefer Torah

613 Mitzvot

Currently I am reading, A Response to “Women’s Eligibility to Write Sifrei Torah”
Dov Linzer

It is very academic but has answered many questions.

Sefer Torah

613 Mitzvot

Rabbi Siegel, we had a most interesting discussion in our 613 mitzvot class on Sunday regarding writing a Sefer Torah.

I have been reading up on the halachah of this mitzvah since and while it is interesting it is a bit frustrating from a woman's point of view. I have a few questions that are for more clarification.

1. Since it is prohibited for a woman to write a Sefer Torah can she still purchase one?

2. If she does purchase one would this be a mitzvah or just a purchase? Would the Sefer Torah still be considered Kosher? Could she will the scroll when she dies to a synagogue or organization?

3. From my reading, I understand that only those who can be called to read that weeks parashah are considered capable of writing a Sefer Torah. Until the past 200 years, women were not taught to read and thus couldn't be called or study Torah, etc., etc. Is this probably more of the reason for the prohibition than gender? With so many woman in careers, leadership, educated and definitely capable of reading/writing is such a prohibition still viable?

4. I understand there are about 20 female seferim in the world. It does not sound like they are held in high regard? My thought was that this is why we need a Sanhedrin. I am wondering if during the time of David Melech could there have been female scribes? Or at any time of the Sanhedrin? I may be a bit frustrating right now however it would seem to me that a legit Sanhedrin in modern time with an understanding of the roles of women today might not see this mitzvah as those during medieval times. Like Rambam, Gaon or some of the Talmudic sages. What is your thought on This?

I am more of a first wave feminists and I still honor the separate roles of men and women. Except writing a Sefer Torah or being called for Alliyot just doesn't seem to have the same measure to prohibit women as say wearing a tallit, teffilim, etc.

Thank you Rabbi
#sefertorah