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Writings
Explore Sarah Yehudit’s teachings on Torah, Kabbalah,
meditation,
and the Jewish holidays.
Browse by topic to discover writings, videos, and courses.
All Writings
The Inner Search for Pure Oil
Sarah Yehudit Schneider Among the various categories of mitzvot are those that commemorate significant moments in our history. Everyone knows that each year when the date comes round that marks that event spheres align, channels open, and we experience, here, below, a watershed of lights and spiritual resources related to that original event…. Pesach, Shavuot…each chag brings its own special gifts. So now, as Chanukah approaches, we are trying to prepare ourselves to recei
6 min read
On Chanukka Everyone’s a High Priest
A Chanukka Teaching 2011Based on R. Tsadok Hakohen, Pri Tsadik – Chanukka #1Sarah Yehudit Schneider A favorite job of the kohanim (Temple priests) was to daily light the menorah in the inner courtyard. And the midrash reports that HaShem promised Aharon that even if the Temple were destroyed and all the other offerings ceased, the mitzvah of kindling the menorah would endure for all time. [BR 15:6] This obviously presaged the festival of Chanukka, for since the time of the Ma
4 min read
The different terms for love
The different terms for love and how they organize into a series of milestones that mark out a spiritual path (from Tanya, chapter 9, Zohar 11b/12a, Kuntres Hitpaalut) 1. Ahavat Olam. The process starts in the “head” as a shift of interest and intention. A decision arises—motivated by any number of things, but ultimately instigated by the nefesh Elokit (Divine soul)—to seek G-d, truth, authenticity, service, etc. Ahavat olam is a spiritual awakening that is totally unintegrat
2 min read
Tu B’Shvat, 5772 / 2012 by Sarah Yehudit Schneider
People who are accustomed to follow the kabbalistic Seder of fruits and wine on Tu B’Shvat organize their (thirty) fruits according to certain criteria. There are three intersecting (and somewhat conflicting) scales of measure. (The Intrinsic) Scale of KlipaThis scale measures an innate feature of the fruit itself—the amount, placement, and intensity of its klipah (the inedible skins and pits attached to the fruit). In mystical texts, klipa is the skin or shell that surrounds
5 min read
Esther, the Mistress of Prayer
Purim Burst 2012 / 5772Sarah Yehudit Schneider HaShem said to Israel: “When the Temple was destroyed you cried out, ‘We are orphans. Our father has abandoned us…’ (Lam. 5:3). As sure as you live, the redeemer that will deliver you from your Persian tormentor shall also have no father or mother.” And so the Megilla records that Esther was an orphan, “she had no father or mother.” (Midrash Rabbah – Esther 6:7)When Esther heard about the genocidal decree pronounced by the king s
13 min read
Lavan the Aramean
A Pesach Teaching Based on the Haggadot of Maharal [1] and Ari [2] Sarah Yehudit Schneider צא ולמד מה בקש לבן הארמי לעשות ליעקב אבינו, שפרעה לא גזר אלא על הזכרים ולבן בקש לעקור את הכל שנאמר, ארמי אובד אבי… Go and learn what Lavan the Aramean planned to do to our father Yaakov! Pharoah decreed that only the male children [should be put to death], but Lavan wanted to uproot the whole [Jewish nation], as is written: “The Aramean sought to destroy my forefather…” (Deut 26:5). Pas
5 min read
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