Welcome to our audio talks

These talks are always based on a text taken from the writings of Rabbi Ashlag. Often from the Persuh HaSulam, , the commentary that Rabbi Yehudah Lev Ashlag wrote on the Zohar but also from his introductions or from the Sefer hama’amarim, the book of articles that his son, Rabbi Baruch Ashlag wrote on how to apply the principles of the Kabbalah in our inner work.
The talks are divided into three broad categories; 1) The Jewish Year: the festivals and other time-based events
2) the application of the learning in our daily lives
3) Concepts found in the study of the Kabbalah
PLEASE feel free to comment and give feedback. And most of all …enjoy! Yedidah Cohen

My soul, Jerusalem: —An Inner View of Tisha B’Av

by Yedidah July 28, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:33 — 33.6MB)

When we look at the mourning on Tisha b’Av, we are actually mourning the disconnect with our spiritual source. Destruction of the temple in Jerusalem meant that the direct revelation of the light of God was no longer available to the people as a whole. Gradually living without the direct revelation of God in our lives has become the norm. We need to remember that this is not normal, and each one of us needs to mourn and long for a direct connection with the Creator in our mind heart and soul. This is the rebuilding of Jerusalem within ourselves.

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Coronavirus, Chaos, and Kabbalah

by Yedidah June 22, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (30.3MB)

Our world, both politically and culturally is in turmoil. Our value systems are being turned upside down. Freedom of speech in the West is no longer guaranteed. Our economic systems serve only a few with the majority suffering under huge burdens. And, in more than one country, democracy itself and the freedom of the individual are under attack. All this was true before, but now added to that is the Coronavirus crisis and the latest riots in the US and the world. Where are we heading?
Times of chaos are definitely uncomfortable for us: and we are the individuals who are destined to live through them. But such times also provide opportunities for us to reassess our values and to make new decisions in the directions that we, as individuals, as families, and as communities want to go.

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Why do we feel conflicted over Torah and mitzvot? – a post for Shavuot

by Yedidah May 26, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:38 — 20.9MB)

All the Jewish people living today are sparks of the 600, 000 root souls of Israel that stood together at Mount Sinai and received the Torah. Those root souls are us. We reincarnate, time and again, throughout the generations. And so we too stood together at the foot of the Mountain and experienced the voice of God. That moment is forever etched into our souls.

On the other hand when we are told what is in the Torah, we begin to see it makes demands on us. It demands that we work with it, learn it, practice it. It makes ethical demands, in action not just in thought. It has mitzvot for us to keep whether they are convenient or not, whether we have grown up with them or not; mitzvot which declare our relationship with God as well as delineating our ethical relationship with our fellow human being; mitzvot of action and of feeling; mitzvot of thought and speech. The Torah demands a living, active relationship with God, here in the now. Not as something historical. The Torah doesn’t let us bask in a cozy armchair feeling of being one of the chosen people but it demands a relationship in the present. A renewed covenant, a renewed commitment. That is the meaning for us of the upcoming festival of Shavuot.

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Why was Kabbalah concealed and why is it being revealed now?

by Yedidah January 28, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:52 — 24.7MB)

Why was Kabbalah hidden form previous generations, and why is it revealed to us now? We find it is not because we are worthy, but that without Kabbalah we cannot fulfill the purpose of our lives and come to the full redemption which is now close.

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Actions and words in this world cause a corresponding action or word in the Spiritual Worlds

by Yedidah October 18, 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:05 — 18.5MB)

The Zohar teaches us that when we act in holiness, that is in giving unconditionally, we cause blessing and holiness to flow back to us. With the actions we do with the lulav and etrog we cause the seven Sephirot of Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut to bring blessings of love and compassion from the higher Sephirah of Binah to all the world.

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What does the prayer “Write me in the book of life” really mean for me?

by Yedidah September 24, 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:34 — 13.5MB)

Can we say the prayer “ write us in the book of life” wholeheartedly? Most of us would simply say yes. But Rabbi Ashlag finds that this is not such a simple prayer as it seems on the surface. Life, does not refer to just physical life but actually means loving unconditionally and wishing to do good unconditionally. Which part of ourselves can sign up to that wholeheartedly, and what holds us back? The work of Elul for the High Holidays.

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