Video: Rosh HaShana and the Kabbalistic Mystery of Nesira

You might be surprised to know that Rosh HaShana is not only Day of Judgement and the Day of Remembrance, it is also, says kabbala, the Day of Nesira (surgical uncoupling). This is a short teaching about that profound dimension of Rosh HaShana.

Post October 7th: Anger Drives the Plot

Survival has required us to perfect the capacity to transform the intensely concentrated lights that scatter like shrapnel from anger’s discharge; to digest these pellets, extract their nutrients, and convert their death-wish into life juice.

Masters of Judgement

Rosh Hashana marks the conception and Pesach marks the birth of Knesset Yisrael, the Mystical Body of Israel, born on the other side of the parted sea.

Masters of the Saf: Purim 2015 / 5775

The only thing that will make us happy is to finally become whole, which cannot happen without facing our shadow and processing its unseemly content.

The Power of a Good Eye

PurimBurst 2009. Esther inspired affection in the eyes of all who saw her… (Megillat Esther 2:15). What was the secret of Esther’s extraordinary (even supernatural) grace?

Anger Drives the Plot

Every moment is a story, and every story has a motor that propels its forward motion.  In the Book of Esther, rage drives each stage of the plot.

A Time for Silence, A Time for Speech

Since the genocidal decree would not take effect for close to a year, it did not justify a life-threatening exploit.  Yet Mordekhai insisted that Esther go now, unbidden.

I Am the First, I Am the Last

The Book of Esther is an historical narrative, that occurred between the years 367 – 357 BCE. Yet there are moments in time that are nearly transparent.

Torah of Souls

PurimBurst 2003. Then the King conferred with His sages, experts in reading the times, for such was the King’s practice, to consult with the masters of law and judgment…

Mesirut Nefesh and Oral Torah

Mordekhai replied, “If you persist in keeping silent at this time relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from some other place while you and your father’s house will perish.”

How to Identify the Crown Princess

PurimBurst 2001 / 5761. And the king loved Esther more than all the other women… so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen…

The Cosmic Seven Millenia Wine Party

PurimBurst 2000/5760. And it was in the days of Achashverosh… when the king sought to display the richness of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty, that he hosted a seven day long wine party.…

Knowing that You Don’t Know

PurimBurst 1999/5659. A burning issue is how to uncompromisingly devote oneself to truth, and yet share space with those who adamantly assert a conflicting truth, and even a false one.

Manna and Haman

Each life’s journey is filled with crossroads that rarely have signs to mark G‑d’s way. Each person must find the G‑d–serving truth that applies to this unique circumstance and this moment in time.

Amalek At The Crossroads

PurimBurst 1996/5756. Whenever Israel is about to access a new revelation of Torah, Amalek comes to sabotage the event. His murderous intentions always terrify, and always backfire.

The Service of Purim IS Lots

Why is this holiday called Purim?  Why is it called after the lots cast by Haman to determine how best to kill the Jews.