Re-claiming Kabbalah

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Published: January 21, 2006
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Visitor Comments: 17

(17) Ade'la, June 2, 2011 4:56 PM

agree

I agree 100%,how do we reclaim it?every religion I can think of has taken something from the jewish religion to create there own!

(16) FredHeath, November 26, 2006 7:58 AM

Kabbalah

I agree entirely - one additional comment - how can humanity take someting like kabbalah and explore it for their own profit and fame under a false premis. Makes one wonder about humanity and religion in general.

(15) Anonymous, July 21, 2006 12:00 AM

a question

I totally agree, no one who really knows what the kabbalah is would do such a thing with it... but is there anyone doing something about it? I understand that there are some terms of the kabbalah that we can use and that are permitted in the study, what´s the line that separates it?sorry for my english im chilean (:

(14) Bracha Ahuva Judith, April 2, 2006 12:00 AM

Thank You For "Reclaiming The Kabbalah"

Dear Rabbi Salomon,

Thank you for your article on "Reclaiming The Kabbalah" I joined a group with much enthusiasm, thinking I would be learning the beauty of The Zohar. I was moved as it spoke of The Light Within, which my heart is so familiar with, only it find it filled with the spirit of superstitions, i.e. the red thread, etc. These are things our prophets warned us about.

But isn't it wonderful to know that the only thing that is worth conterfeiting, is that which is REAL!

I called and spoke with them, saying G-d plus any "thing" equals idolatry, especially when it says in the Tanach that the Glory of Hashem shall be our protection. They hung up on me.

I always said to myself," Wouldn't it be wonderful if their was a daily newspaper that had nothing in it but good news, and uplifting information. And then I came across Aish.com.

Blessings and Love from the Highest Stations of my heart.
Bracha Ahuva Judith

(13) Cynthia, January 27, 2006 12:00 AM

Like Pouring Jet Fuel On A Tricycle

Only in our world of "give it to me now" and "instant gratification" could you find spiritual tricycles trying to use something meant for a jet airplane. It's not going to make them go any faster, they might feel pleasantly high from the fumes for a few moments, and certainly it can be quite dangerous in inexperienced hands. If they only knew how silly they looked! Hopefully these tricycles will visit an airport (shul) some day and get a glimpse of a real jet (great rabbi or torah scholar!) and understand the price of a Lear is a lifetime of study and devotion to Torah and Hashem, not a $300 weekend in Carmel!!

(12) Yaffa Leibowitz, January 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Yes, the betrayal of the kabbalah

As one who studies kabbalah, not with the kabbalah center at all, for they are only prostituting the beauty of the kabbalah and using it for their own means, which is to build their idolatrous dynasties..but alone, I study or from qualified rebbeim for understanding of haskafah..In the olden days all of our geonim learned haskafah from kabbalah, whereas today most of our rabbis learn halacha. I beleive it like this: all halacha, you dry up, all spirit, kabbalah, you burn up, but the halacha and the spirit, you grow up!.
We are missing the spirit in this generation of leaders and we are not being taught the ruach of the torah..that is why the kabbalah center gets away with prostituting and perverting our beautiful torah and its estoric works.
Do something about it!

(11) Tim, January 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Real kabbalah cannot be separated from Judaism

I agree with the rabbi, the zohar in essence is a commentary on the Torah as a holy book. the Zohar itself is not holy, only the knowledge gained from it about Torah. Authentic kabbalah, or, for a better description, authentic jewish wisdom, is rooted completely in the Torah and its Mitzvot. Kabbalah without torah is meaningless and not applicable to life.

(10) Anonymous, January 24, 2006 12:00 AM

YES OF COURSE RECLAIM KABBALA -WITH THE RIGHT APPROACH

BASH BASH SHAM SHAM IS A CLULESS REBUTTLE TO TH kABBALA FAKE FAD GOING ON..Any semi aware Kiruv/ Director spokesman would figure out that there is al;most a desperate search for depth and spiritual meaning to life going on out there..Adrss it don't just bad mouth it --Thats a turn off even to the ally like me !!

(9) Merlock, January 24, 2006 12:00 AM

An old story I heard: Four rabbis began to study mysticism. One died. One went mad. One became a heretic. And one became a qualified Kabbalist.

Yeah, I guess this is serious stuff.

Perhaps there needs to be a counter-movement: another group, like the Kabbalah Center, to promote real values and true Jewish values. Couldn't hurt. God bless!

(8) BENYAMIN EZRA TZEON, Ph.D., January 23, 2006 12:00 AM

SPEAKING OUT

RAV SALOMON: I WAS MOST PLEASED TO HEAR YOU SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE "FARCICAL" MISREPRESENTATIONS OF THE KABBALAH. THE IGNORANCE OF THOSE EXPOSED TO "WEEKEND" CRASH COURSES IN VARIOUS AND SUNDRY PLACES, HAS LED TO TOTAL DISILLUSIONMENT AS TO "ANY" UNDERSTANDING OF THE KABBALAH. SOME MISINFORMED INDIVIDUALS EVEN REFERRING TO THEMSELVES AS "KABBALISTS FOLLOWING ONE OF THESE WHIMSICAL ESCAPADES. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

(7) Anonymous, January 23, 2006 12:00 AM

They Never Mention Hashem

You're right. Too many people affliated with the Kabbalah Center see it as a means to an end. Rarely do they mention Hashem. Drink their holy water and you'll be healed. And I don't see how scanning one's finger across Hebrew words in a $400 Zohar is beneficial to anyone. Better to purchase a $20 siddur or Tanach and study those first.

Studying Kabbalah without the proper background in Judaism could lead people astray and possibly into heresy. Why would anyone want to risk that?

(6) Rabbi Max Weiman, January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

You're right about the travesty, wrong about kabbalah.

You're right about the travesty. Kabbalah should never be used to swindle people out of their hard earned money with promises of curing cancer etc. Nobody should be selling holy water and red strings making an exorbitant profit off of naive people yearning for real spirituality.
However, you're mistaken about what kabbalah is. Kabbalah is not only the deep esoteric secrets that only a few understand. Kabbalah, as explained in numerous holy books, includes basic ideas of Jewish philosophy that everyone needs to know.
Nothing is an accident. The reason why fake sages are attracting so many people to their fake kabbalah is because people are yearning for spirituality. If more true sages would be bringing true spirituality to the masses, they wouldn't have to go to the sham.
Rabbi Max Weiman
www.kabbalahmadeeasy.com

(5) Julia, January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

a vacuum will be filled by something!

If you dont want fake kabbalah, then put out the real stuff that is on a level everyone can use. The idea of keeping it locked away from everyone unless they have gemara, torah, talmud etc backwards and forwards for years and years isnt going to work anymore, and even shuts out half the Jewish population who are women because women arent usually allowed to study gemara even though it is supposedly not actually forbidden. People need what real, authentic kabbalah teaches now, and it's time to give it to us. How can any rabbi complain about fake kabbalah, when real kabbalah has been kept chained in a closet for so long? Let it be a wakeup call to all rabbonim, your congregations, your everyday Jews, your learned Jews, EVERY Jew needs to know, and in their souls thirsts for, the springs of real kabbalah for their spiritual growth and peace. So get on it! Bring it out to us! Stop complaining and start providing!

(4) Luli Chandra, January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

I must be a really slow learner..

Hi Rabbi Salomon,

I understand your dislike of the marketing techniques used by the Kabbalah Center but it does not dilute the truth in any way. The approach that one takes in spiritual matters or paths should be a personal one. As a student of Kabbalah at the center as well as with other members of the Jewish community for over ten years I must agree with you that I know absolutely nothing about Kabbalah. To approach a spiritual path from a strictly intelectual perspective is in my humble opinion missing the point. I dont buy holy water and SOMETIMES i wear the red string. I do very much like the sheer joy of Shabbat at the center. It has inspired me to keep the Sabbath, cover my head, and engage in Torah study. I pray with other congregations but the people at the center seem to actually be EXCITED about praising the Holy Name. True its not for everyone but it certainly does not need to be abolished, repressed, or judged. Allow me to share the very little bit that I have learned as a student at the center. 1. Whenever Light is revealed we encounter opposition. 2. The very foundation of Kabbalah are the ten commandments, The Holy Zohar, and the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Judeo/Christian faiths. 3. Truth is Universal and available to all who seek it with a pure heart. 4. Just as meat falls off of the bones when boiled at extreme temperatures, those who are insincere about spiritual practice fall away and fade.Why? Because it is a discipline and if we all kept the Holy Commandments and precepts our lives, relationships, health and finances would dramatically improve. Thats the only promise Kabbalah makes. Sound familiar? Those who keep the ways of Torah are greatly blessed, how is that hocus pocus? 5. If its a fad or a fake it wont last and the Rav and Karen Berg will be forgotten.

May we both live long enough to witness the truth.

Love & Light,

Luli

(3) Anonymous, January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

Absolutely Right!

Kabbalah does require many many years of intense study of Gemara, - just like a rocket scientist first has to learn basic mathematics before he can delve into complex equations and biochemistry, so too with Kabbalah - you have to know the basics - Gemara, Chumash, Mishnah, Midrash and Halacha.

(2) Lawrence Katz, January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

How does one know just what is authentic, then?

The those within the different, popular groups -- at least one (but probably both/many)-- would claim these statements are precisely correct, and then go on to do/teach/claim exactly what these statements oppose. How do you separate the evil from the good?

(1) Eleanor, January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

Right ON!!

Now if we could only get your message to the popular press and put a stop to the Madona nonsence.

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

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