Introduction to The Book of Zohar 1) In this introduction, I would like to clarify matters that are seemingly simple, matters that everyone fumbles with and for which much ink has been spilled attempting to clarify. Yet we have not reached a concrete and sufficient knowledge of them. Question No. …
Introduction to “From the Mouth of a Sage”
Introduction to “From the Mouth of a Sage” It is known from books and from authors that the study of the wisdom of Kabbalah is an absolute must for any person from Israel. If one studies the entire Torah and knows the Mishnah and the Gemara by heart, if one …
Introduction to the Book Panim Meirot uMasbirot
Introduction to the Book Panim Meirot uMasbirot1 1) It is written at the end of the Okatzin [final treatise in the Mishnah], “The Creator did not find a vessel that holds a blessing for Israel, but peace, as it is written, ‘The Lord will give strength unto His people; the …
Introduction to A Sage’s Fruit (Three Partners)
Introduction to A Sage’s Fruit (Three Partners) The manuscripts of the books before us were before the RABASH. He proofread them as he had proofread the previous books. Once, when I brought him a part of a manuscript to proofread, he gave me the essay, “Three Partners,” and said he …
Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah
Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah 1) It is written in The Zohar, Vayikra, Portion Tazria, “Come and see: All that exists in the world exists for man, and everything exists for him, as it is written, ‘Then the Lord God formed man,’ with a full name, …
Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot
Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot 1) At the outset of my words, I find a great need to break an iron wall that has been separating us from the wisdom of Kabbalah, since the ruin of the Temple to this generation. It lies heavily on us and …
Foreword to The Book of Zohar
Foreword to The Book of Zohar 1) The depth of wisdom in The Book of Zohar is enclosed and locked behind a thousand locks, and our human tongue is too poor to provide us with sufficient, reliable expressions to interpret one thing in this book to the fullest. Also, the …
General preface
General Preface To the proficient in The Tree of Life, and to everyone, as in “First, learn; then, comprehend.” 1) Our sages said, “There is not a blade of grass below that does not have an angel above that strikes it and tells it, ‘Grow!’” This seems very perplexing, for …
Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah
Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah 1) Rabbi Hanania Ben Akashia says, “The Creator wished to refine Israel; hence, He gave them plentiful Torah and Mitzvot [commandments], as was said, ‘The Lord desires for the sake of His righteousness, to extol and glorify the Torah’” (Makkot 23b). It is known …
Preface to the Sulam Commentary
Preface to the Sulam [Ladder] Commentary Ten Sefirot 1) First, we must know the names of the ten Sefirot: KHB, HGT, NHYM. These are acronyms for Keter, Hochma, Bina, Hesed, Gevura, Tifferet, Netzah, Hod, Yesod, Malchut. These are also the ten coverings of His light, established so the lower ones …