Malchut. Also known as Shechinah, God’s Maternal Presence. Yesod. Foundation. Malchut she’b’Yesod: Mother God at the foundation of the world. So, this happened to me about two years ago. I am walking on the UBC campus one day. Early in the afternoon, before teaching my class. It’s a damp, grey day, so I’m in a…
Category: God
Creator? You there? Omer 30
Gevurah. Judgment, boundary, form. Hod. Splendor. Gevurah she’b’hod. Forms of splendor. The tradition of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, describes God as infinite energy. So infinite that It fills all space and time. Thus, It leaves no room for anything else. Except it also holds everything else. So, It’s formless, forming, and formed all at the same…
Endure: Omer 26
God is eternal. Humans temporarily endure. We’re so different. But the Omer count gives us only “seven sefirot to describe them all.” (If I might paraphrase The Lord of the Rings.) Hod she’b’Netzach might mean two entirely different things. One to express God’s nature. And another to express human nature. God’s Nature is Eternal Hod…
Amazement: Omer 19
Hod. Gratitude. Tiferet. Beauty. Hod she’b’Tiferet. Gratitude in beauty. It’s spring in the rain forest. So, I get to see lots of beautiful things. Cherry blossoms. Bees in flowers. Robins grazing in early gardens. In this season, I often feel overwhelmed by beauty. So, sometimes, I can’t believe my good fortune. How did I manage…
Creation in Kabbalah
Genesis: A non-literal Creation story Creation: the beginning of the Torah. A great time to reflect on how we read. Also, on what we may find when we read thoughtfully! For example, the creation story is supposed to provide a religious foundation. But when we read it carefully, we may question those very foundations. We…
From Judgment to Love
Day of Judgment Traditionally, Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment. But in real life, every day is the Day of Judgment. Every day God places a new challenge in our paths. Every day we get to decide how we are going to respond. Every day is the Day of Judgment, but some days are…
Infinity: God in My Soul
Infinity: A perfect topic for my interview on this innovative podcast. It’s called PTR: Philosophy, Theology, and Religious studies. Or, if you prefer, “Poststructuralist Tent Revival.” PTR is hosted by Jacob Given, a doctoral student at Villanova University. Here we discuss ideas from my book The Infinity Inside: infinity, kabbalah, God’s existence, dreams, and mystical…
R. Zalman: God's Soul-Friend
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, z”l. Fifth day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. So, in Reb Zalman’s honour, ALEPH Canada hosted a special Zoom event. Ten of Reb Zalman’s many Canadian students shared memories, poetry, story, or music.* Here is a short video of the words and music I was able to offer with…
Ritual and Meditation: Fun with Parshat Tzav
Ritual. Last week’s Torah (Parshat Tzav) and haftorah (Jeremiah) readings were all over it. Ritual in Parshat Tzav (Lev. 6:1-8:36) The Hebrew word tzav means, “instruct.” Here, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons, the future priests. Teach them, God says, some ritual details the public doesn’t really need to know about. Like: make…
Spiritual Retreat: Even One Day is Enough
A personal spiritual retreat. Just for a day, I went to Bethlehem Centre, in Nanaimo, Canada. Before bed, the first night, I wound down with my daily spiritual examen. Following the script, I became aware of God’s presence. But then I let go of the script. “Congratulations, self!” I thought. “It’s become so easy to tune…