In summary: When it says that only the outer layers of the Infinite Light were revealed at Sinai, while its inner lights stayed hidden, encased within the text as unrealized possibilities of interpretation, the terms inner and outer refer to specific levels in the kabalistic map of reality. In this context they indicate the two layers of Atika, the deepest root of soul and point where it is hewn from the pure simple oneness of the Infinite Light. Atika is the place where ma

This essay can also be viewed in adobe pdf format. This essay has been extracted from Sarah Yehudit’s larger study on the nature of gender in Kabbala. Please visit Kabbalistic Writings on the Nature of Masculine and Feminine to read a summary and browse through this book or buy it directly. The Voice of the Bride[1] by Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi Presented and Elucidated by Sarah Yehudit Schneider Bare Bones Literacy Summary: Voice of the Bride by R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi ta

Tu B'shvat Through the years

PurimBurst 1988 / 5748 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Based on a teaching by Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev[i] “Mordechai left the King’s presence clad in royal apparel . . . and the city of Shushan was cheerful and glad.”[ii] The Jews had been saved from annihilation, clearly they had reason for gladness, but why should the city of Shushan rejoice? The answer lies in the spiritual law taught by King Solomon: “When tsadikim[iii] increase [both in numbers and strength] the masses

PurimBurst 1989 / 5749 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Based on a teaching by Rav Yitzchok Ginsburgh The question of WHAT TO BE ON PURIM is not just for children![1] It is the secret of conscious determination–the power of vision to define reality. Modern science teaches that the world exists as a pattern of possibilities, all of which are equally real (though not equally probable)… until one actually “happens.” In that moment, when one leaps into actualization, the others dissolve

PurimBurst 1991 / 5751 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Based on a teaching by R. Mordechai Yosef of Ishbitz[1] “He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of the Lord” (Psalms 98:3). Because it uses the word “seen” instead of “heard”, Rebbe Yochanan relates this verse to the days of Mordechai and Esther. (Meg 11b). The miracle of Purim is qualitatively different from all other miracles in Biblical history.