Samuel Ben-Or Avital

Samuel Ben-Or Avital, author of “The Invisible Stairway: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Hebrew Letters,” will be holding a seminar on authentic Kabbalah, starting January 20 in Boulder, CO.  The seminar, entitled Gathering of the Sparks: Authentic Kabbalah and Practical Wisdom, will run January, 20, 27 and February 3, 10, 17, 24, 2011, six Fridays from 10 am – 12 noon.  This series will focus on the Hebrew letter Sheen.

Avital, descendent of Moroccan Kabbalists tracing their lineage to 15th Century Spain and before, explains that the Hebrew letters are one of the most basic keys to properly explore the Kabbalah’s “mysteries.”  In his seminars, Avital delves into the spiritual meanings and discoveries contained in each letter.

Avital shared just a few of the meanings of the letter SHEEN, which will be explored in the upcoming workshop:

The SHEEN ש, which among other things represents the flame, could be an invitation to ignite your spiritual spark and to learn a new way to discover the great inner treasures of our Jewish tradition.  The SHEEN reaches high like three flames, purifying and changing the external conditioning that has been built into our lives, and can also can be understood as the original three ways of learning, to be and become one with oneself and aligned with the whole of Creation.

In the Kabbalistic tradition, the Hebrew Letters are understood as the building blocks of the creation of the universe – each letter stores and contains within it certain spiritual powers, and serves us as a unique tool of practice and exploring ourselves and the universe in an unconventional way of learning how to learn, think and be.

The Sheen with its three vertical lines could symbolize the inner dimensions of being, three ways, gates, levels, and the three branches of the tree of Life – left pillar, middle pillar, and right pillar.  The three branches relate to the right and left extremes, and to the rampant human tendency to go to the extremes – teaching us to intelligently and willingly choose to apply the middle and balanced way of becoming – the middle path.

It can also teach us much about applying creative processes, and to learn to think in a circular way (spelled out fully, the Sheen ש י ן  comes to 360, the perfect number for the circle).  It is also in the pronouncement of being, the YESH י ש .  It stands as an invitation to keep the sacred flame alive, despite all the odds.”

For more information on the Gathering of the Sparks Seminar, or to register, please visit:

http://kabbalahnow.indranet.com/seminars/index.html

http://kabbalahnow.indranet.com/seminars/application.html

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, also known as the RaMCHAL, was one of Judaism greatest philosphers and kabbalists.  His writings have been praised as some of the finest works in Jewish thoughts. His book “Derech Hashem” (The Way of God) is probably the most systematic exposition of Jewish fundamentals ever written. Come join a group of people exploring his writings as he brings some clarity to many Questions we have as Jews.  ”I might be willing to say there is a God, but how does that affect my daily life?” “Where does the system of our calendar, our holidays, our daily obligations all fit in to our connection with a Higher being?”

The group will be coming together every Tuesday night at  the office of Matthew S. Finberg, Esq at  2425 Canyon Blvd., Suite 110.  For more information please email Rabbi Moshe Heyman at Rmh@denverkollel.org.

Authentic Kabbalah Tradition and Practical Wisdom

Samuel Ben-Or Avital, author of “The Invisible Stairway: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Hebrew Letters,” will be holding a seminar on authentic Kabbalah, starting October 21 in Boulder, CO.  The seminar, entitled Gathering of the Sparks: Authentic Kabbalah and Practical Wisdom, will run October 21, 28 and November 4, 11, 18, and December 2, 2011, six Fridays from 10 am to 12 noon.  This series will focus on the Hebrew letter Reish.

Avital, descendent of Moroccan Kabbalists tracing their lineage to 15th Century Spain and before, explains that the Hebrew letters in are one of the most basic keys to properly explore the Kabbalah’s “mysteries.”  In his seminars, Avital delves into the spiritual meanings and discoveries contained in each letter, what each letter stores within her story.  He describes the letters as the “blueprint from which the stuff of creation is created, formed and made,” explaining that “Each verb has built in its essence a nucleus and a root to plant and build oneself within “the world.”  Each letter contains and symbolizes a spiritual power or energy.”

Avital shared just a few of the meanings of the letter Reish, which will be covered in the upcoming workshop: “The letter REISH   ר   is the symbol of choosing between greatness and authenticity, and degradation, mediocrity and pretense.  With this letter, we begin to explore what is ROSH - ר א ש  = Head, the circular organ containing the physical brain and untold and “hidden” “secrets” which this letter REISH may reveal when we learn to “become the Head and not the Tail”, leader and not just follower, to become both the leader and the follower with one breath.

After  learning and transforming the klipah   ק  ל י פ ה , the peel, the cover, of the KOF  ק , the letter before REISH, and activating the Holiness and Growth Cycles, Kedousha              ק ד ו ש ה , we learn to find out what is covered inside the head.  According to Kabbalah, we have 5 brains but not all of their powers are used by humans today – and actually it is known scientifically that we only use approximately 5% of the capacity of our brains.

When we will study deep what “In The Beginning” “BRESHEET”   ב ר א ש י ת  is, we will learn how to activate all the levels of the Brain and thus to contain the light that includes all the universe, beyond the “opposites” and the “paradox” that most humans are trapped in – this “duality of matter”.  The REISH also symbolizes the ability to change course from duality to oneness in all creation, not just in thought but also in action.  Thus we may shift to the next level of being REALLY HUMANS, beyond the trap of the chains of duality.

One can also observe that ROSH with Aleph is ר א ש  head, and with the letter AYIN it is   ר ש ע  RASHAH  = wicked.  We study about these two letters, ALEPH   א   and AYIN   ע , both of which are pronounced from the throat, but which have a unique pronunciation and difference, and the sound of both of which affects us deeply.  Therefore, these letters indicate how the wicked can return back from the darkness to the good, to restore oneself to the Aleph greatness, justice and light.”

For more information on the Gathering of the Sparks Seminar, or to register, please visit:

http://kabbalahnow.indranet.com/seminars/index.html

http://kabbalahnow.indranet.com/seminars/application.html

Bruce Shaffer, local Boulderite and “Brother Fred” in the Passover internet film sensation, likes talking about how being a part of an Ayeka group impacts his outlook on life. While spending last year learning at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, Bruce was part of an 8-week Ayeka course called “Bringing God into My Relationships.” His group was led by Ayeka’s founder and director, Rabbi Aryeh BenDavid.

How has Ayeka impacted your life – what did the process cause you to re-examine in your life?

The Ayeka plunge into honest self-examination begins with internalizing and activating the Jewish teaching that we are all created in God’s image. If I really do have a unique, God inspired calling and contribution to make in this world than I want to claim that gift and make the most of the opportunity and responsibility that comes with it. Rabbi Aryeh Ben David says,

The goal is not simply to be at peace with myself. The goal is to use my unique God-given gifts to bettering the world. Through accessing and living my inner life I can help the world become more in the Image of God.”

That excites me. That is where the Torah action is– can you and I bring Godliness into all relationships with every one, everything, for a healthier world? Ayeka is helping me do my part – right here, right now, today.

What are the highlights of the Ayeka model?

Accessibility. Sensibility. Orderly arrangement of the building blocks. Hey, I like riffing on the esoteric stuff, too, but you gotta be able to take it to the street. That said, Ayeka is not a short cut, a 12-step program, a free download. The more familiar one is with Jewish text and core concepts, the farther you can go with Ayeka. It is as if Rabbi Ben David was thinking, “Okay, I’ve got the teaching over here, and some tried implementation techniques over there. Now, is there yet another accessible, soulful way of internalizing and authentically living our traditional Jewish teachings, without compromise and without requiring suspension of a broadly informed modern belief system.” And out came Ayeka (and it is good).

What is the value of being part of an Ayeka group?

Rabbi Ben David speaks of the goal of Ayeka as becoming souls evoking souls. “The things we do in the image of God give us the opportunity to evoke the same in others.” The group experience allows us to try that on for size in a safe place, then we walk it outside.
I think there’s room in Ayeka for various notions of what spiritual growth means. Rabbi Ben-David suggests that “The test of spiritual growth is whether I am becoming a more loving person,” and I could definitely work on that for a very, very long time. My group and hevruta intereaction – and afterward with other Ayeka alum – remains a check-up on my spiritual progress.

Did being in a group impact your perspective on personal spiritual growth?

Coming soon in the Torah nearest you, are these words: “Surely, this instruction which I place upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach….No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.” Deuteronomy 30: 11-14. That’s my experience of Ayeka: a way to bring the Torah to Life.

Click here for more information on Ayeka groups in Boulder.  If you are interested in organizing your own Ayeka group or in hosting your own Jewish learning group on any topic, please contact Boulder’s Ayeka Coordinator, Karli Sherwinter, at ayekaboulder@gmail.com.  She is available to help launch and sustain groups by providing an educator, curricular materials (either designed by the educator or predesigned curricula like Ayeka) and administrative support.

In Search of the Wisdom and Legacy of the Baal Shem Tov

The stories, teachings and melodies of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hassidic Judaism, have been at the heart of spiritual Jewish life, across the denominations. This class will be an opportunity to reflect on some of the core teachings and stories of the Baal Shem Tov, and I’ll share my adventures from my recent trip to Ukraine working on a new documentary film to be released later this year (which I narrate), tracing the life and legacy of this great spiritual teacher.

Wednesday, June 22,  7:00 – 9:00 pm, at Congregation Bonai Shalom, 1527 Cherryvale Road.

This evening, the director of the documentary gave me a dvd with 10 minutes edited footage of our travels in Ukraine.  Never seen before! Along with the stories and teachings, we will be showing this short movie as well as a slide show.  Look forward to seeing some of you there.

And – while I was in London recently, I had an amazing opportunity to work with my good friend, musician Chani Smith, a TV director and a student film crew in Ealing Studios.  We spent a wonderfully creative day filming three of our favorite Hassidic stories.  They have now been superbly edited and are available to watch.  The links are below.  Enjoy!

The Tree of Life
http://vimeo.com/25241986

Fire in the Forest
http://vimeo.com/25243254

The Angel of Friendship
http://vimeo.com/25241267

Blessings,
Rabbi Marc

Related post: A Journey into the Heart of Ukraine (May 16, 2011)

Rabbi Marc will be sharing his insights on the Baal Shem Tov after returning from a trip to the Ukraine in May. The stories, teachings and melodies of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hassidic Judaism, have been at the heart of spiritual Jewish life, across the denominations. Rabbi Marc is the narrator of a new documentary film to be released later this year, tracing the life and legacy of this great spiritual teacher. This class, being held on Wednesday, June 22, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, at Bonai Shalom, 1527 Cherryvale, Boulder, will be an opportunity to reflect on some of the core teachings and stories.

Series on the Five Megillot: Book of Ruth

Morah Yehudis Fishman has been teaching Torah and Chassidic writings for over forty years to students of all ages and backgrounds, both on the east coast and the Midwest. She has been a director of several Jewish organizations in Santa Fe and Colorado. Her articles and poetry, on a wide variety of Jewish interests, have been printed in many publications as well as on the web.

Preparing for Shavuot
With Reb Zalman Schacter-Shalomi
Monday, May 16th 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Abraham Joshua Heschel said that Torah is the answer for all of our questions. If this is so, then what are the appropriate questions? Come to this engaging talk by our Reb Zalman, to discover your/our questions for this Shavuot, as we learn more about the giving of Torah and how it is the ceramic glue that holds our tradition together.