Jewish Philosophy & Mysticism

According to the Kabbalah, G-d’s absolute perfection has the possibility for two types of simultaneous perfection – static and dynamic. The subject of this class is the dynamic perfection. How are imperfect humans like us necessary vehicles for the expression of Divine perfection?

Rabbi Aaron brings a handful of sources from the Torah showing how a person’s life is both full of choices and pre-determined, then he explores the nature of the synergy between these seemingly conflicting realities.

Get ready for a personal and historical-collective house-cleaning! Through a classic article of Rav Kook, Rabbi Aaron helps us to rectify false images of G-d that have been crystallized in our minds, stemming from childhood experiences, which exert great influence on our conscious and unconscious modes of behavior.

Rabbi Aaron first helps us to align ourselves with the word emunah, often mistakenly translated as ‘faith’. From there, he explores Rav Kook explanation that emunah is not intellectual or emotional, but is the most basic manifestation of our soul’s essence.

How does pain create an opportunity to come closer to Hashem? How can pain be transformed into a blessing? In this class, Rabbi Aaron gives us both intellectual and emotional tools for dealing with both our own and other people’s pain.

Try on a new paradigm of viewing Hashem, ourselves, and the nature of the relationship between us and our Maker. The concept of Author and Character is the metaphor explored in this class. So then how does the Author give the Character the power to himself be an Author? Good question!

This class is about Avraham’s special character of kindness, that though Hashem was visiting him, he did not hesitate to serve and feed the three men at his door. Rabbi Aaron explains how this revelation was an encounter with G-d, and how one can distinguish a G-d encounter from a G-d experience.

Rabbi Aaron shares with us a definition and outline of the structure of the soul. Unique among other creatures, humans have the ability to receive five levels of consciousness, known by Kabbalah as Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Chaya, and Yechida. This class is designed to help you get to know yourself a lot better, and in the process, G-d.

What is love? In this amusing class, Rabbi Aaron explores issues in dating and marriage via stories as examples to illustrate a number of important points regarding love and relationships.

Rabbi Aaron gives an introduction to Kabbalah, then explains the metaphor of the endless light and shattering of the vessels, to illustrate the four stages in the Jewish conception of love, and how we can best grow in love.

Who am ‘I’? Through the writings of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and Rav Kook, Rabbi Aaron describes a process of disengaging our innermost self from our outer trappings, and reclaiming self and directing it to the Divine source.

Judaism’s goal is to bind with the source. Mitzvot and Torah, given at Mt. Sinai, are the method by which a Jewish soul is able to return to the Great ‘I’. When a person finally frees himself from the servitude of their persona, an affirmation, not a surrendering of oneself occurs.

According to Judaism, Panentheism (not Pan-theism) is the ultimate image of G-d. Rabbi Aaron explains how man’s deep-seated jealousy towards Hashem and the incorrect understanding of G-d’s true nature require a reframing of how G-d truly is the All-Inclusive Divine. This is a absolutely vital class to hear in order to develop a mature understanding of what Hashem and Judaism really are.

Giving birth to and raising children are an emulation of G-d, a process of self-withdrawal by making space and a place to cultivate another. After making space and place, a parent gives goodness to the child, similar to G-d’s creating the world – with the boundless light of giving on one hand, and with judiciousness and boundaries on the other hand.

This is a masterful review of the entire Philosophy and Mysticism series. Education and truth, the nature of perfection, Mitzvot and Halacha are all tied together to show they are a unity emphasizing G-d’s love and oneness. And that’s just the beginning…

In this class, Rabbi Aaron defines the Jewish understandings of ‘covenant’ and ‘fear’. Judaism believes G-d comes to empower humans, sharing a divine creative power. But the secret of tise sharing and of the Divine creative power can only come to a person who has a healthy sense of ‘fear’. Wait, if Hashem loves me, why do I have to be afraid?

Through understanding the process of creation, the shattering of the Primordial Vessels, and the Divine Presence, as explained by Kabbalah, we can learn how to apply these cosmic events into our daily lives. Our generation has a deep and intense hunger for knowledge of G-d. True Kabbalah can show us seekers that Judaism is a path that provides us with a way to connect to the Supreme One.

What really is reality, and what is perception? It is difficult to understand G-d because our normal process of thought is a function of relationship – subject and object. The Divine cannot be known through terms of time, space, and being. So, then how do we get to know the Divine?

In such an unstable, impermanent, and insecure world, how can we possibly be live the kind of happy and joyful lives that we dream of? Rabbi Aaron presents two possible approaches as an answer: living it up now, or living for the future, and helps us to see that Judaism just might have a not-so-elusive third answer…

It is important for a human to see the world through the proper glasses or lenses. At first, observe and contemplate the divine beings that were created, then look at your marvelous self. Seeing divinity in this world can be accomplished if the seer desires to see life from this point of view.

Through a metaphor from Kabbalah, Rabbi Aaron explores how Judaism unifies the two worlds of assertion of individuality and desire for nullification. This synthesis is explored through a look at the balanced Moshe as he faces the imbalanced Pharaoh during the Ten Plagues.

People may be provided with all the physical comforts of life and still be miserable because their souls, the true self, are not being nourished properly. Many solutions are adopted by people to feel significant, loved, and to feel that they are growing. But since these solutions are just a quick fix, they do not solve the problem. However, when a person uses Soul-utions for life…

Rabbi Aaron uses a fulfillment chart based on the Ten Divine Emanations (The Sefirot). These intrinsically interconnected ten no-things, as the Rabbi calls them, teach us how to channel G-d’s will, which ultimately bring us fulfillment. Each of the ten no-things are discussed, illustrating that they are all connected one to the other.

What is the power of choice that I have been given in my life? Does G-d have a master plan for the history of the world, and if so, how much do my actions help the process in a positive direction? What does Judaism say about what happens to the soul after it leaves the body?

Using the metaphor of a symphony, Rabbi Aaron teaches that mitzvot are behaviors that synchronize a Jew to the principles of life. Halacha (a.k.a. Jewish Law) is the path which coordinates the individual, particular path to the higher divine cosmic plan, facilitating a connection to the Source of All.

Just as there are physical laws, like gravity, so too there are spiritual laws. Torah, which predated the world, has within it the principles governing all life. Through teachings in the Talmud and the Zohar, Rabbi Aaron shows us the immense value of Torah.

Hashem’s essential name, the Tetragrammaton, is the fundamental structure of all reality. Five worlds, five levels of soul, and each month having a different combination of the Ineffable Name, are examples of Hashem’s immanence in all beings. Rabbi Aaron also looks to the Rambam to help us understand the Name from a more philosophical perspective.

Using powerful passages from Rav Kook, the Tanya and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Rabbi Aaron emphasizes Judaism’s goal of getting in touch with one’s immanent light within and connecting it to the transcendental universal light.

The greatest of the greatest take risks, and from the doubt of taking a risk comes authenticity and love. Torah gives a Jew guidelines, placing you in the ballgame, but the moves are your choice and responsibility. Stories of Adam and Avraham illustrate these points.

Rabbi Aaron brings a vital teaching from Rav Kook, that true spirituality gives power and grandeur to physical life. Physicality is not separate from spirituality, but actually the two are unified because they come from one source. Judaism and the Jewish lifestyle are embodiments of this principle.

The spirit cannot find stability except in a life oriented towards G-d. When a soul aspires for less than that exalted state, it will be like a ship tossed in the sea. Yearning for something more, and having a thirst for stability with a reality beyond oneself, yet part of oneself, is natural and healthy.

In this unbelievable class, Rabbi Aaron opens our eyes to the all-embracing manifestation of truth as found in the Torah, and its universal relationship to other belief systems and the human history process in general. If you want to understand Judaism’s core approach to tolerance and universality, this class is a must-hear.

Rabbi Aaron draws from a piece in the Talmud about Moshe’s response to the angels who protested before Hashem that man is unworthy to receive the Torah. Moshe’s convincing claim sheds light on the fact that a human being’s imperfection is in fact the greatest proof that this precious gift of the Torah is for us.

Torah, the principles of organization, does not always indicate a human ideal. Rabbi Aaron explains that Jewish law can, in some cases, be understood as an antidote to mankind’s evil inclination, providing a realistic and practical approach to deal with unhealthy desires.

What is the universalistic message of Judaism? When the Jewish people received Torah at Sinai, the world at large was at a level to receive the revelation of the oneness of G-d. Since everything exists for a reason, and all is interconnected, Torah was given to Israel for the benefit of all of humanity.

Your beliefs can make or break your life. Rabbi Aaron defines ‘religion’, ‘truth’, and ‘faith’ and challenges us to look inside, to do an inventory of our beliefs, and to make an assessment if our personal map is reflecting the true terrain of life. Where should a seeker of Truth begin?

Humor and laughter are explained from a Torah perspective. Rabbi Aaron expands on two types of laughter which are manifested in the respective reactions of Avraham and Sarah when they hear that they will be having a baby at their extremely advanced age. Does anyone have a good joke?

Rabbi Soloveitchik’s ‘Lonely Man of Faith’ is the foundation for this class. The two accounts of man written in Genesis correspond to tendencies found in humans, called Majestic Man and the Man of Faith. One aspires to harness nature, while the other searches for meaning and redemption. Here, Rabbi Aaron compares and contrasts the two.

In this class, Rabbi Aaron focuses on the Man searching for meaning. Redemption, and a person’s path to attain it, are explored by stories of people who are wealthy yet lack security because they are not connected to G-d, their source. Two types of community are also discussed: a Natural Work community and a Faith community

After telling his favorite rock concert stories, Rabbi Aaron asks the question: How do people awaken from that comfortably or uncomfortably numb sensation they feel in their lives? The goal of Judaism is not only to fee alive and aware, but also to see the ordinary as extraordinary. How can we build our awareness that the Source of all is with us here and now?

Most people carry in their mind a false paradigm of what is the Jewish G-d. Kabbalah gives us a better understanding about the attributes of the Creator. Jews believe in the Ineffable Name, the Great I Am, and we are the beings. G-d is here, there, and everywhere. When people are caught up in the false ideas of who is G-d, a religion of fear is born, instead of true Judaism.

The goal of Jewish life is to be whole, synthesizing the physical and spiritual, and harmonizing both of them into a wholeness. In other words, to be completely in the physical world, and yet be beyond this world. Rabbi Aaron uses the concept of Revival of the Dead to teach that the goal of Judaism is really about the physical.

What is the essence of education? It is just memorization and regurgitation? Rabbi Aaron first shares with us some childhood stories, then gives definitions of the Hebrew words chinuch and chein, and afterwards elaborates on the Torah’s approach to education and the real responsibilities of an educator.

In this short and focused class, Holy and non-holy wisdom are compared. Holy wisdom has to power to transform a human being, improving character and fine tuning traits. Although non-holy wisdom can be lofty, and does have its place, it does not have the transformative properties of Torah.

Torah is a directive book, whose basic direction is creativity. Therefore, the Torah begins with the creation story, which teaches the essential life process of transforming chaos to order. When Hashem said, “Let us make man in our image’, He was speaking to every human being, allowing mankind to be His partner in their own self-creation.

People’s perceptions and fears of Judaism, Torah, and Jews are often solidified from childhood experiences and they are never able to develop a healthy relationship with G-d. In this class, Rabbi Aaron helps us clear out our spiritual suitcases to make the space for new, healthy, positive Jewish ideas and experiences.

Before being able to understand the importance of the Land of Israel, there’s a big requisite: understanding what’s so chosen about the chosen people. Once we grasp what choseness is, then we’ll have a context to really see how Land of Israel is the perfect place to fulfill this mysterious and controversial ‘chosenness’.

With the amusing story of the frog and the centipede, Rabbi Aaron helps us to see clearly the strengths and weaknesses of our intellects and emotions. Through using them in the right way, in tandem, we can live more full and integrated lives. Plus: Tips on how not to get frogged out!