Knowledge on the Deeper Side

Making Sense of the Census

Why G-d Counts the Jewish People

Numerous times G-d counted the Jewish people. Was He obsessed with numbers or is there some message hidden in the numbers game? This class gets to the bottom of the numbers game and explains how counting us makes us count.

Making Sense of the Census

Why G-d Counts the Jewish People

Numerous times G-d counted the Jewish people. Was He obsessed with numbers or is there some message hidden in the numbers game? This class gets to the bottom of the numbers game and explains how counting us makes us count.

The Heart of the Deal

Giving G-d Possession of Our Faculties

Shopping used to be the activity of buying the things you need. But today it seems we often buy for the sake of buying. Interestingly, the Torah views acquisition of property as more than just the transfer of ownership. Rather, a sale is a matter of profound theological and inspirational value.

The Heart of the Deal

Giving G-d Possession of Our Faculties

Shopping used to be the activity of buying the things you need. But today it seems we often buy for the sake of buying. Interestingly, the Torah views acquisition of property as more than just the transfer of ownership. Rather, a sale is a matter of profound theological and inspirational value.

Have a Jewish Field Day

Why and How We Celebrate Lag Ba'Omer

The thirty-third day of the Omer is a day of celebration, bonfires, and a variety of interesting customs. What lies behind it all? In presenting the story of Lag Ba’Omer, this class reveals the specialness of the day and what message we can take from it.

Have a Jewish Field Day

Why and How We Celebrate Lag Ba'Omer

The thirty-third day of the Omer is a day of celebration, bonfires, and a variety of interesting customs. What lies behind it all? In presenting the story of Lag Ba’Omer, this class reveals the specialness of the day and what message we can take from it.

Exploring The Soul - Part 14

"Crouching Lion, Hidden Mystic"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 4, 2017)

There is a powerful biblical verse that likens us to a lion -- more specifically, a crouching lion.

Which stirs the question: Why are we only compared to a crouching lion, and not to a stalking lion, or an attacking lion? A crouching lion sounds so... passive, and not ferocious. It's missing the swagger!

Worry not, the mystics come to the rescue. Kabbalah teaches how the crouching lion is the most ferocious lion of them all, and how this imagery evokes the true power of the human soul.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we take a walk on the wild side and study the mystical side of lions.

Exploring The Soul - Part 14

"Crouching Lion, Hidden Mystic"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on June 4, 2017)

There is a powerful biblical verse that likens us to a lion -- more specifically, a crouching lion.

Which stirs the question: Why are we only compared to a crouching lion, and not to a stalking lion, or an attacking lion? A crouching lion sounds so... passive, and not ferocious. It's missing the swagger!

Worry not, the mystics come to the rescue. Kabbalah teaches how the crouching lion is the most ferocious lion of them all, and how this imagery evokes the true power of the human soul.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we take a walk on the wild side and study the mystical side of lions.

Exploring The Soul - Part 13

"Sleep Consciousness"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on May 14, 2017)

Sleep is a marvelous experience, when we drift into an amorphous, magical state of consciousness. Things are familiar and strange simultaneously. Time and space have no consequence. And the impossible suddenly becomes possible.

Kabbalah teaches that there's a lot that happens spiritually when we sleep. The soul operates in a completely different state, and the connection between body and soul is altered. But more than just informing us what happens when we don't know what's happening, Kabbalah's "sleep-principles" illuminate the hidden areas of our conscious lives, helping us better understand our struggles, and teaching us how to better deal with them.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we wake up to new mystical insight from the ancient spiritual teachings of Judaism.

Exploring The Soul - Part 13

"Sleep Consciousness"

(Recorded at the Intown Jewish Academy on May 14, 2017)

Sleep is a marvelous experience, when we drift into an amorphous, magical state of consciousness. Things are familiar and strange simultaneously. Time and space have no consequence. And the impossible suddenly becomes possible.

Kabbalah teaches that there's a lot that happens spiritually when we sleep. The soul operates in a completely different state, and the connection between body and soul is altered. But more than just informing us what happens when we don't know what's happening, Kabbalah's "sleep-principles" illuminate the hidden areas of our conscious lives, helping us better understand our struggles, and teaching us how to better deal with them.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we wake up to new mystical insight from the ancient spiritual teachings of Judaism.