Articles

HOLIDAYS AND MONTHS

The yearly cycle of the Jewish holidays manifest deep insight into the meaning and purpose of the Jewish people and each individual's soul journey in this world. The interplay of the holidays and the turning of the seasons, yield profound truths on multi levels, especially the inner psychological cycle of human consciousness, which is intrinsically connected to the changes of time and the seasons. Being in tune with the various meanings of each holiday gives us the opportunity to align ourselves with a sense of Divine time manifest in the natural world.

• Rosh Hashana
• Yom Kippur
• Succot
• Chanukah
• Fast of the 10th of Tevet
• Tu B’Shvat
• Purim
• Pesach
• Sefirot HaOmer
• Shavuot
• The Three Weeks
• Tisha B'Av

CYCLES

Everywhere we look we see cycles in our lives: the cycles of time, the seasons, of nature, in history, the holidays, and the human psyche itself. Jewish life is constructed to be in tune with these cycles, and a higher awareness of how they affect us yields great insight and wisdom.

• The Mystery of Cycles
• Lifecycles: Wedding
• Lifecycles: Mikvah, The Art of Transition
• Cycles of Seven
• Cycles of Nature

MYSTICISM & KABBALAH

The wisdom of the Kabbalah, the mystical tradition in Judaism, is thousands of years old, yet the contemporary world is drawn increasingly to its wisdom. The truths of the Kabbalah, like the teachings of the Torah, are eternal and relevant to every generation and every individual.

• The Torah as a Process of Birth
• The Secret of the Small Alef
• The Ladder of Prayer
• Symbolism and Torah
• Book Preview: R. Trugman's The Mystical Meaning of Dreams
• Meditation
• Dreams, Reality and Torah
• Symbolism and Torah

ART, MUSIC & SCIENCE

Judaism teaches there is a unity in the world, and that God and all things in His world are interconnected. And while secular knowledge and the wisdom of the Torah seems like two different entities, in truth they are many times describing the same ideas and phenomenon, albeit with different language, context and sets of symbols.

• Music and Prophesy
• Music in the Temple
• Torah and Science
• Scientific Fact and the Sefirot
• Unity in the Forces of the Universe
• Music on Every Level of Existence
• Ten Archetypal Songs
• The Paradox of Light

HISTORY AND ISRAEL

The Jewish people play a critical role in the history of mankind. We can see how Jews have played a central function in the development of religion, law, literature, philosophy, music, medicine, science, ethics and every area of human endeavor. The land of Israel itself is the connection point of three continents and to this day dominates world politics and the balance of power and economics. To understand Jewish history is to be in touch with the very mechanics and purpose of creation.

• Exile and Redemption
• Jewish Survival - Faith and Action
• Holiness of the Land of Israel

OBSERVANCE & OUTLOOK

Although faith is central to Judaism it is ultimately based on action; we learn in order to do. This is why the concept of Tikun Olam, rectifying the world, is such an important idea. The mitzvot, are much more than commandments, they are ways in which we connect to others and the world we live in, as well as to our inner selves and ultimately to God. Along with, and behind the actions we do, are the attitudes and the world view we adopt. How we approach others and God goes hand in hand with our actions. Therefore, Judaism strives for an ideal where our thoughts, speech and deeds reflect a unity of purpose and our inner belief system.