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32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 349

Index

angels • Symbols and Numerics • characteristics of, 115

1 creation of, 113, 116 9 ⁄2 Mystics: The Today (Weiner), 327 free will, 116 23rd Psalm, 161–162 (’s messenger and defender of 39 prohibited activities, 167–168 the Jewish people), 118 70, significance of the number, 241 karma, 115 Malach HaMavet (Angel of Death), 107, 116, 194, 339 • A • Michael (guardian angel of Israel), 118 negative, 98, 116 Aaron, 67, 331 positive, 98, 116 Abel, 329 about, 118 Abigail, 333 (healing angel), 118, 122 abortion, 105 spiritual charges, 116 (Avraham), 38–39, 63, 211, teshuvah, 116–118 299–301, 330 transforming angels, 116–118 Absalom, 332 Uriel (angel who carries knowledge of Abulafia, Abraham (Kabbalist), 311 God), 118 accounting of day, 146–147 animal rights, 82 acts of lovingkindness, 127, 134–137 A.R.E. Press (Beyond the Ashes), 104 , 36–37, 297–298, 329 the Ari (Kabbalist), 45–46, 87, 221–222, 304, Adam haRishon, 37, 335 315, 318, 335 , 37, 298–299, 335 aron hakodesh, 320 addressing God directly, 251–253 Artscroll Prayer Book, 327 Adonai, 252, 283 aseret hadibrot, 58, 335 Ahasuerus, 333 Asher, 330 Akiva, Rabbi (Jewish sage), 41, 77–78, Ashkenazic pronunciation of Hebrew 301–303, 335 words, 4 alchemy, 30 assiyah (world of action), 96–98, 335 Alliance for , 25–26 atheists, 21 aliyah, 206 COPYRIGHTEDattaching MATERIAL yourself to God, 85 Alkabetz, Rabbi Shlomo Halevi (Kabbalist), attaining an effective level of prayer, 44, 158–159, 315, 335 247–248 Amalek, 330 atzilut (world of emanation), 96–98 amen, 248, 335 authority on Jewish life, 24 Amidah (“The Prayer”), 266 automatic writing or channeling, 193 Amnon, 332 Avinu Malkaynu, 253, 275 Amos, 332 Avinu Malkaynu prayer, 335 Angel of Death (Malach HaMavet), 107, 116, avodah, 246 194, 339 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 350

350 Kabbalah For Dummies

Avraham (Abraham), 38–39, 63, 211, Bilhah, 330 299–301, 330, 335 sefirah, 61–62, 70, 94, 336 harah, 295 Birchat Hamazon grace, 164 Birkat HaMazon grace, 336 birth, 105–106, 191–194 • B • birthdays, 189 Ha , 224 bitachon (trust in God), 84–85, 281, 336 Tov (founder of the Hasidic blessing bees, 145 movement), 24, 48–49, 224, 307–308, blessing (bracha), 336 317, 336 blessing children, 159 ba’al teshuvah, 279, 336 blessings. See also prayer baalei teshuva, 316 Amen, 335 baby-naming, 193–194 amen, 248 , 331 Artscroll Prayer Book, 327 Balaam’s she-donkey, 331 Baruch Atah Ahdonai, Ehlohaynu, Bamidbar (), 212, 336 Mehlech Haolam, Dayan HaEhmet, 202 bar , 195–197, 336 Baruch Dayan Emet, 83, 108, 336 bar Yochai, Rabbi Shimon (Kabbalist), 23, bathroom, 129 42, 219, 303, 316 defined, 248 Baruch atah, 202, 252 after eating, 145 Baruch dayan emet blessing, 83, 108, 336 before eating, 144 bashert, 87, 336 food, 88–89, 144 bat mitzvah, 195–197, 336 morning blessings, 141–142 bathroom blessing, 129 occasions for, 267–268 Bathsheba, 332 blueprint of the , 59 BCE (Before the Common Era), 3 blueprint of the world, 59 bedikat chometz, 184 body bedroom, 320 holiness of, 139 Beggars and (Steinsaltz), 226 meanings of body parts, 193 Beit HaChayim, 316–317 separation from the soul, 204 beliefs about God, 277 (Devarim), 21, 337 ben Eliezer, Rabbi Israel () Book of Esther, 181–183 (founder of Hasidism), 24, 307–308, Book of Formation (Sefer ), 38, 221, 317, 336 236 ben Nachman, Rabbi Moshe (Ramban), 84, Book of Illumination (Sefer ), 220, 236 199, 223, 314, 328 Book of Kabbalah, 11 Benjamin, 331 Book of Life, 174 Ber, Rabbi Dov (Hasidic leader), 50 Book of Numbers (Bamidbar), 212, 336 Bereishit (Genesis), 212, 336 books. See also books by title Bereishit Rabbah, 100 hitting, 228 Berg, Rabbi Philip (founder of the kissing, 228 Kabbalah Centre), 26, 52 bracha (blessing), 336 beriyah (world of creation), 96–98, 336 Bracha Bees, 145 Beyond the Ashes (A.R.E. Press), 104 bread, 155–156, 340 Bezalel, 331 breaking of the vessels (shevirat ha-kelim), . See Holy Scriptures 17, 87–88 Bikkur holim, 134 Breslover Hasidim, 123 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 351

Index 351

brit milah (), 336 cleaving to God (deveikut), 281, 337 Buddhism, 101 clothing burial of the dead, 107–108, 201, 204–205 modesty, 141 business ethics, 82 Sabbath (), 154 The Byrds, “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, 196–197 Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch), 19, 222, 255, 315, 344 commandments, 18 • C • commentaries on Holy Scriptures, 131–132 cabal, 29 Common Era (CE), 3 Cain, 329 communion, 85 Caleb, 331 conceptions of God, 250–251 candles, 154, 157–158 concepts of Kabbalah, 17–18 Cave of the Patriarchs, 317 consciousness. See soul CE (Common Era), 3 Conservative , 24, 51 celebrations contemporary books about Kabbalah, 133 bar mitzvah, 195–197, 336 Contemporary Sages (Finkel), 327 bat mitzvah, 195–197, 336 continuous nature of creation, 57–58 shalom zachor, 106, 191–192, 343 coping with suffering, 121–122 Simchat Bat, 106 Cordovero, Rabbi Moshe (Kabbalist), 45, weddings, 198 222, 310, 337 cemeteries, 316–318 , 186 , 25, 336 creation challah, 156 angels, 113, 116 challah cover, 156 continuous nature of, 57–58 challot, 336 partnership of three in the creation of Chanukah (Festival of Lights), 179–181, 337 human beings, 91–92, 102 Chapters of the Sages (Pirke Avot), 201, reason for, 15 342 secrets in the story of, 240 charity, 135 ten utterances, 17 chart of the ten , 59 Tikkun (“repair”), 17 Charvonah, 333 , 17 Chavah (Eve), 329, 337 cup (for Sabbath), 154–155 chaya, 99, 337 customs Chesed sefirah, 63, 70, 337 Chanukah, 180–181 cheshbon hanefesh, 337 Counting of the Omer, 186 chevruta, 238–239, 337 deathbed, 202 chidush, 337 New Year, 174 children, blessing, 159 , 184 Children of Israel, 211 Purim, 182–183 Chochmah sefirah, 60–61, 70, 94, 337 red string tied around the wrist, 295 chosen people, 88 Rosh Hashanah, 175 Christian Cabala/Kabbalah, 30, 292 , 187 Chumash, 22, 337 Sukkot, 177–179 circumcision (brit milah), 336 Tikkun Leil Shavuot, 187 Classic Artscroll Siddur (Mesorah Yom Kipper (Days of Awe), 176–177 Publications), 257 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 352

352 Kabbalah For Dummies

dosage of emotions, 197 • D • Drash, 337 Da’at (knowledge of God), 15–16, 100 dreams, 147 Da’at sefirah, 15–16, 62, 100, 337 dress code, 294–295 Daf Yomi, 234 dressing Dah lifnay me attah omed, 138, 250 and awareness of God, 139 daily tasks with modesty, 141 acts of lovingkindness, 127, 134–137 for Sabbath, 154 dressing, 139 Dvar , 337 eating, 143–145 d’veykut (cleaving to God), 85, 281, 337 falling asleep and meditating, 147–148 , 143 • E • nightly accounting of day, 146–147 prayer, 127–130, 262–267 eating, 143–145 putting your shoes on, 140–141 Ecclesiastes (Kohelet), 196–197, 339 repairing the world, 145–146 ecstatic Kabbalah, 311 study, 127, 130–133 Egypt, 184 waking thoughts, 138–139 ehchad, 203 washing your hands, 140 Ehveh, 60 Dan, 330 ehyeh asher ehyeh (“”), 283, Dan, Joseph (professor and Kabbalah 337 expert), 12 Ein mukdam u’meuchar b’Torah, 131 Daniel, 333 , 337 dates, 3 , 63, 283 , 68, 332 El Shaddai, 68 Days of Awe (), 111, 176–177, Eli, 332 318, 347 Eliezer, Rabbi (Jewish sage), 78–80, de Leon, (Jewish sage and rabbi), 23 330–331 death, 106–108, 201–203 , 332 deathbed customs, 202 Elijah the Prophet, 78–80 Deborah, 333 Elisha, 332 depression, 123 , 62, 64, 283 Derech HaShem (The Way of God) (Rabbi Elohim Tzvaot, 67 ), 223, 280 , 174–175, 337 descent for the sake of ascension, 94–95 emotional realm of human existence, 97 despair, 123 emotions, 136, 197 destruction of the Holy Temple, 23–24 emunah (faith in God), 83–84, 338 Devarim (Deuteronomy), 212, 337 English, 234–235 devotional poetry, 268 enjoying Sabbath, 164–165 Din, 337 erotic imagery, 200–201 Dinah, 331 Esau, 330 Discourses on Hasidic Thought (Steinsaltz), Esther, 181–183, 333 225 eternality of God, 277 divine assignment, 89–90 ethics, 82 divine presence in marriage, 198 Etz Chayim (), 44, 59, 69–71, 94, divine punishment, 119 221–222 divorce, 201 eulogies, 204–205 divrei Torah, 192 Europe, holy gravesites in, 317 Eve (Chavah), 329, 337 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 353

Index 353

everything has meaning, concept of, The Foundation of the Torah, (Yesodei 113–114 HaTorah) (Ramban), 328 everything is for the best four realms of human existence, 97–98 acceptance versus passivity, 82 of Kabbalah, 95–98 bashert, 87 free will, 56, 86, 116, 273 concept of, 75–77 The Fundamentals of Jewish , gam zu l’tovah, 77 (Glotzer), 328 inner activity, 82–84 funerals, 107–108, 201, 204–205 mazal (fate), 86 rules about saying this, 81 stories, 77–81 • G • evil Gabriel (God’s messenger and defender of emotions, 197 the Jewish people), 118 (inclination for evil), 165, 196, Gabriel, Rabbi Jack (musician), 123 346 Gad, 330 , 295 gam zu l’tova, 77–78, 81, 338 existence of God, 276 Gandhi, Mahatma, 203 Exodus (Sh’mot), 212 gaon, 338 expressing gratitude to God, 128 (Gan Eden), 57 Ezekiel, 332 gedulah, 338 Ezra, 333 Gemarah, 260, 338 , 296 gemelut chasadim, 134–135 • F • gender equality, 3 fairness in business, 82 genderlessness of God, 277 faith in God (emunah), 83–84, 338 Genesis (Bereishit), 212 falling asleep and meditating, 147–148 Gerondi, Rabbeinu Yonah, Shaarei fate (mazal), 86, 340 Teshuvah, 176 Festival of Lights (Chanukah), 179–181, 337 Gershom, 331 fetus, when soul arrives, 105 gevurah, 338 fighting the tendency to forget, 229–230 Gevurah sefirah, 63–64, 70, 338 filtrum, 193 ha-nefesh, 102, 338 Finkel, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Ginsburgh, Rabbi Yitzchak (Kabbalist), 310 Contemporary Sages, 327 Glotzer, Rabbi Leonard (Kabbalist) The Great Chasidic Masters, 327 The Fundamentals of , The Great Torah Commentators, 327 328 Kabbalah: Selections from Classic An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, 221 Kabbalistic Works, 327 God fire of purification, 123–124 addressing directly, 251–253 first being (Adam Kadmon), 37, 298–299, Adonai, 252, 283 335 Adonai Elohaynu, 252 Five Books of Moses, 18, 22–23, 169, attaching yourself to, 85 209–214, 329–331, 337 Avinu Malkaynu, 253, 275 five levels of the soul, 95–96, 99–100 bitachon, 84–85 food conceptions of, 250–251 blessings, 88–89, 144 Da’at (knowledge of God), 15–16, 100 challot, 336 Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, (“I am that I am”), 283 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 354

354 Kabbalah For Dummies

God (continued) Y-H-V-H Tzvaot, 66 Ein Sof, 337 good El, 63, 283 emotions, 197 Elohim, 62, 64, 283 yetzer hatov (inclination for good), 165, eternality of, 277 196, 346 existence of, 276 grace, 164, 336 expressing gratitude to, 128 grape juice, 154 genderlessness of, 277 gravesites, 316–318 HaMakom, 139, 283, 338 The Great Chasidic Masters, (Finkel), 327 Hashem, 283, 338 The Great Torah Commentators, (Finkel), hashgacha pratit, 86 327 imagining, 249–251 greeting the Sabbath, 156–157 incorporealness of, 277 infinite nature of, 17, 114 infinity, 274–276 • H • making requests of, 128 Habakkuk, 332 matter, 273–274 Hagar, 330 Melech haOlam, 252 , 183, 338 mystical union with, 12 Haggai, 332 names for, 282–285 Hakhnasat Orchim, 134 omnipotent, 277 Halachah (the way to walk), 17–18 omnipresent, 277 Ham, 329 omniscient, 277 HaMakom, 139, 283, 338 oneness of, 276 Haman, 333 perfectness of, 277 Hannah, 333 praising, 128 Hanoch, 297 preparing to know, 16 Hashem, 283, 338 private supervision from, 86 hashgacha pratit, 86, 338 Ram, 203 Hasidic Jews, 24 reality, at the center of, 56 Hasidism, 3, 24–25, 48–51, 224, 338 references to, 2 hats, 294–295 relationship with, 19, 278–282 havdalah, 154, 170, 338 search for, 18–19 head coverings, 294–295 Shaddai, 283 healing angel (Raphael), 118, 122 Shechina, 320 healing powers, 118, 122–123 spark of God in everyone, 92–93 Hebrew spirit, 274 lashon hakodesh, 130 talking to, 230, 280 learning, 236–237 time, 272–273 pronunciation of words, 4 Tsva’ot, 283 here and now, 321 tzimtzum, 278 Hesed shel emet, 134 understanding, 269–272 hidur mitzvah, 155, 338 writing the names of, 284 Hillel, 338 Yah, 61, 283 Hinduism, 101 , 282 , 280 Y-H-V-H, 65, 282 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 355

Index 355

hitting books, 228 four realms of human existence, 97–98 Hod sefirah, 66–67, 70, 338 learning process, 110–111 Hoffman, Edward, The Way of Splendor: partnership of three in the creation of Jewish Mysticism and Modern human beings, 91–92, 102 Psychology, 326 prayers, 245 holiness of the body, 139 , 101–108 holy days repairing the world, 102–105 birthdays, 189 separation from the body, 204 Chanukah (Festival of Lights), 179–181, spark of God in everyone, 92–93 337 tasks for, 103–104 Kabbalistic tradition, 173 ten sefirot, 58, 94 Lag B’Omer, 186 Tree of Life, 94 Passover, 183–184, 341 ultimate soul, 93, 298 Purim, 181–183, 342 uniqueness of, 93–94 Rosh Hashanah, 174–176, 342 human suffering sefirat haomer, 185–186 coping with, 121–122 Shavuot, 184–185, 187, 344 divine punishment, 119 Simchat Torah, 179 gam zu l’tovah, 81 Sukkot, 177–179, 345 healing powers, 118, 122–123 Tisha B’Av, 188, 318, 345 Job, 122 Yom Kippur (Days of Awe), 111, 176–177, Olam ha’ba, 119 318, 347 Olam ha’zeh, 119 holy gravesites, 316–318 purification, 123–124 The Holy Letter (Iggeret Hakodesh), 139, reasons for, 113, 118–120 199, 338 reincarnation, 111 Holy Scriptures tests, 120–121 commentaries, 131–132 defined, 22 Ketuvim (Writings), 131, 213–214 • I • Nevi’im, the Prophets, 131, 212–213 Iggeret Hakodesh (The Holy Letter), 139, study of, 131–132 199, 338 Torah (Five Books of Moses), 131, imagining God when praying, 249–251 210–212 , 102–105 Holy Temple inclination for evil (yetzer hara), 165, 196, destruction of, 23–24 346 location of, 314 inclination for good (yetzer hatov), 165, Tisha B’Av, 188 196, 346 horizontal lines of the Tree of Life, 70 incorporealness of God, 277 Horowitz, Rabbi Isaiah (Kabbalist), 304–307 individualized prayers, 128–129 Hosea, 332 infinite nature of God, 17, 114 Huldah, 333 infinity, 274–276 human soul inner activity, 82–84 beliefs about, 18, 91–95 inner effort, 258 birth, 105–106 inner intention, 254–259, 281, 339 blueprint of, 59 intellectual realm of human existence, 98 death, 106–108 An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, descent for the sake of ascension, 94–95 (Glotzer), 221 final destination of, 119 , 64, 330 five levels of, 95–96, 99–100 Isaiah, 332 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 356

356 Kabbalah For Dummies

Israel pop culture phenomenon, 2 holy gravesites, 316–317 receiving, 12, 16 , 313–315, 339 root of, 12 Meron, 316, 340 studying, 14, 21–23 Michael (guardian angel of Israel), 118 what it isn’t, 31 Tzfat, 44, 152, 315–316, 319, 346 Kabbalah Centre, 26, 52 Israel Najara (Kabbalist and poet), 45 Kabbalah: Selections from Classic Issachar, 331 Kabbalistic Works (Finkel), 327 Kabbalist, use of the term, 2–3 prayer, 205–206, 339 • J • Kallover (Kabbalist), 317 (Yaakov), 65, 211, 330, 346 Kaplan, Rabbi (Kabbalist) Jacob’s wrestling partner, 330 : A Practical Guide, 310, Japheth, 329 325 Jephthah, 331 The Living Torah, 235, 325 Jeremiah, 332 Meditation and Kabbalah, 325 Jerusalem, 313–315, 339 karma, 115 Jewish Family Service, 319 Karo, Rabbi Joseph (author of Jewish code Jewish Federation, 319 of Law), 44, 101, 193, 222, 255, 310, 315, Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide 336 (Kaplan), 325 , 106, 138, 150, 254–259, 281, 339 Jewish mysticism, 11–12 Kedusha, 320 Jewish Renewal, 24–26, 51 sefirah, 60, 339 Jewish Scriptures, 22 ketubah (marriage contract), 198 at universities, 27 Ketuvim, (Writings), 131, 214, 333, 339 Jewish tradition kevud av v’em, 134 Kabbalah, 19–21 khevrusah, 132 reincarnation, 101 Kiddush ritual, 155, 163 Job, 122, 333 King David, 130 Joel, 332 King of Kings of Kings, 252–253 Jonah, 332 King Solomon, 61 Joseph (Yosef), 68, 331 kissing books, 228 Joshua, 331 Knesset HaGadol, 260, 339 Judah, 330 knowledge of God (Da’at), 15–16, 100 Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), 196–197, 339 Kabbalah, 13 Kook, Rabbi Abraham Isaac (first Chief movements, 24–26 Rabbi of Palestine and Kabbalist) Orot, 310 teachings and wisdom of, 32, 80–81 • K • Korah, 331 Kabbalah kvitlach, 318 beliefs of, 17–18 book of, 11 • L • central idea of, 15 concepts of, 17–18 Laban, 330 contemporary books, 133 Lag B’Omer, 186, 316, 339 defined, 1, 11–13, 31, 339 lashon hakodesh, 130 Jewish tradition, 19–21 “L’cha Dodi” (song), 158–159, 315 Leah, 62, 330 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 357

Index 357

Learning From the Tanya (Steinsaltz), 225 matter, 273–274 learning Hebrew, 236–237 matzah, 340 learning process for , 110–111 mazal (fate), 86, 340 left side, significance of, 140 Mazal Tov, 86 Levi, 330 meals Leviticus (Vayikra), 212, 346 Birchat Hamazon grace, 164, 336 l’hitpalel, 254 Sabbath, 159–164 life cycle seder, 183–184, 343 birth, 105–106, 191–194 meditation, 143, 147–148, 247–248 death, 106–107, 201–203 Meditation and Kabbalah (Kaplan), 325 marriage, 197–200, 290–291 Megillat Esther, 340 puberty, 194–197 Meir, Rabbi (Kabbalist), 103 life force. See soul Mekhilta, 216 The Living Torah, (Kaplan), 235, 325 mekubal, 3 living waters, 318–319 Melchizedek, 330 Lot, 330 Melech, 340 love, 135–136 Melech haOlam, 252 Lubavitch Hasidic group, 25, 224 melech malchay ha-melachim, 252–253 Lubavitcher Rebbe, 107, 318 menorah, 180–181 Luria, Rabbi Isaac (the Ari) (Kabbalist), Meron, 316, 340 45–46, 87, 221–222, 304, 315, 318, 335 Mesorah Publications (Classic Artscroll Luzzatto, Rabbi Moshe Chaim (Ramchal) Siddur), 257 (Kabbalist) messengers. See angels Derech HaShem (The Way of God), 223, Messilat Yesharim (The Path of the Just), 280 222–223 Messilat Yesharim (The Path of the Just), metaphysical matters, 30 222–223 Methuselah, 297 Micah, 332 Michael (guardian angel of Israel), 118 • M • , 216, 340 Maariv, 339 Midrash Rabbah, 217–218 Ma’aseh , 42–43, 339 mikvah, 152–153, 318–319, 340 Ma’aseh Merkava, 43, 339 minchah, 340 Machzor, 339 minyan, 320 Madonna, 26, 52, 311 Miriam, 331 , 32 Maggid of Mezrich (Hasidic leader), 50 Mishnah Yomi, 233 , 314, 328 study of, 214–215, 233, 260, 293, 340 making requests of God, 128 Mishneh Torah, 84, 328, 340 malach, 116, 339. See also angels Mitzrayim, 184, 340 Malach HaMavet (Angel of Death), 107, 116, mitzvah, 18 194, 339 mitzvot Malachi, 333 negative commandments, 18 Malchut sefirah, 68, 340 positive commandments, 18 marriage, 82, 197–200, 290–291 Tikkun (“repair”), 17 marriage contract (ketubah), 198 Modeh Ani, 138–139, 340 matchmaking, 87 modesty, 141 Matt, Dr. Daniel (Pritzker Edition of the Monday (Yom Sheni), 150 ), 220 Montefiore Cemetery, 318 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 358

358 Kabbalah For Dummies

Mordechai, 333 New Year, 174–175 morning blessings, 141–142 Nichum Avelim, 134 morning prayers, 142–143 nightly accounting of day, 146–147 1 Moses, 14, 18, 39–40, 66, 331 9 ⁄2 Mystics: The Kabbalah Today (Weiner), Moses Cordovero (Kabbalist), 45 327 Mount Sinai, 211 , 297, 329 Mourner’s Kaddish, 320 Nochosh, 341 mourning, 203–206 nonbelievers, 21 movements in Judaism, 24–26 non-Hasidic Jews, 24–25 mystical union with God, 12 number 70, significance of, 241 mysticism, 11–12 Numbers (Bamidbar), 212, 336 myths about Kabbalah Sfard, 261–262, 327, 341 Jewish mysticism, 12 reasons for, 30 what it isn’t, 31 • O • myths about studying Kabbalah Obadiah, 332 books, 293–294 observing Sabbath, 164–165 dress code, 294–295 occasions for blessings, 267–268 Hebrew, 295–296 , 341 marriage prerequisite, 290–291 olam (four worlds of Kabbalah), 95–98, 341 restriction to Jews, 292–293 Olam ha’ba, 119, 341 restriction to men, 289–290 Olam ha’zeh, 119, 341 restriction to Orthodox Jews, 291–292 Old Testament restriction to people over 40, 293 commentaries, 131–132 Ketuvim (Writings), 213–214 Nevi’im, the Prophets, 212–213 • N • study of, 131–132 Na’aseh V’nishmah, 152, 340 Torah (Five Books of Moses), 18, 22–23, Nachman, Rabbi (Kabbalist) 169, 209–212, 329–331, 337 gravesite of, 317 omnipotent God, 277 sin of despair, 123 omnipresent God, 277 Tales of Rabbi Nachman, 225–226 omniscient God, 277 teachings of, 123, 311 one great soul, 93, 298 . See Ramban (Kabbalist) oneg Shabbat, 168–169, 341 Nachshon, 331 oneness of God, 276 Nahum, 332 Opening the Tanya (Steinsaltz), 225 names for God, 282–285 Oral Tradition, 214, 260 naming a baby, 193–194 Orot (Kook), 310 Naomi, 333 Orthodox Jews, 24–25, 291 Napthali, 330 , 25 Nathan, 332 nation of priests, 88 nefesh, 99, 340 • P • negative angels, 98, 116 pain. See suffering negative commandments, 18 Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Nehemiah, 333 Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter- neshama, 99, 341 Shalomi (Singer), 311, 326 Netzach sefirah, 65–66, 70, 94, 341 paradoxes, 15 nevi’im (prophets), 131, 212–213, 331–333 , 341 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 359

Index 359

Pardes Rimonim (Cordovero), 310 inner intention, 254–259 partnership of three in the creation of Kaddish, 205–206, 339 human beings, 91–92, 102 kavanah, 254–259 passivity, 82 Maariv, 339 Passover, 183–184, 341 meditation, 143, 147–148, 247–248 The Path of the Just, (Messilat Yesharim), Modeh Ani, 138–139 222–223 morning prayers, 142–143 Pentateuch, 22 Mourner’s Kaddish, 320 perfectness of God, 277 nusach Sfard, 261–262, 327, 341 Perke Avos, 132 piyutim, 268 Pesach (Passover), 183–184, 341 pluralized, 254 Pesikhta, 217 prayer book, 129–130, 259–262 Pharaoh, 331 preparation for, 246 philtrum, 105 Rosh Hashanah machzor, 175 Phineas, 331 Shakharit, 142–143 physical realm of human existence, 97 Sh’ma, 143, 203, 249, 344 Pirke Avot (Chapters of the Sages), 201, Shmoneh Esrai (“The Prayer”), 266 342 siddur, 259–262, 344 piyutim, 268 soul, 245 placement of each sefirah on the Tree of spontaneous prayer, 248 Life, 69 standing before the King of Kings of planning for Shabbat (Sabbath), 150–151 Kings, 249 pleasure, 169 , 254 pluralized prayer, 254 Tefillah (“The Prayer”), 246, 265–267, 282, pop culture phenomenon, 2 345 positive angels, 98, 116 Tehillim (), 130 positive commandments, 18 tziztit, 259 practices. See customs vidui, 202, 346 praising God, 128 Yom Kipper (Days of Awe), 176–177 prayer. See also blessings preparing for Sabbath, 152, 170–172 addressing God directly, 251–253 preparing to know God, 16 amen, 248 prerequisites for study, 290–291 Amidah (“The Prayer”), 266 primordial person, 298–299 angels, 118 Pritzker Edition of the Zohar, 220 Artscroll Prayer Book, 327 private supervision from God, 86 attaining an effective level of, 247–248 process of reincarnation, 102 Avinu Malkenu, 335 pronunciation of Hebrew words, 4 avodah, 246 prophetical Kabbalah, 311 Baruch dayan emet, 108 prophets (nevi’im), 131, 212–213, 331–333 blessings, 248 Psalms (Tehillim), 130, 345 daily task of, 127–130, 262–267 p’shat, 342 devotional poetry, 268 puberty, 194–197 imagining God, 249–251 purification, 123–124 importance of, 246 Purim, 181–183, 342 individualized prayers, 128–129 putting shoes on with purpose, 140–141 inner effort, 258 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 360

360 Kabbalah For Dummies

Rabbi Kaplan (Kabbalist) • R • Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide, 310, Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi, Shaarei 325 Teshuvah, 176 The Living Torah, 235, 325 Rabbi (Kabbalist), 311 Meditation and Kabbalah, 325 Rabbi (first Chief Rabbi Leonard Glotzer Rabbi of Palestine and Kabbalist) The Fundamentals of Jewish Mysticism, Orot, 310 328 teachings and wisdom of, 32, 80–81 An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, 221 Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (Kabbalist) Rabbi Meir (Kabbalist), 103 Beggars and Prayers, 226 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson Discourses on Hasidic Thought, 225 (Hassidic rebbe), 107, 318 Learning From the Tanya, 225 Rabbi (Kabbalist), 23 life of, 309–310 Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Ramban) Opening the Tanya, 225 (Kabbalist), 314, 328 Simple Words, 326 Iggeret Hakodesh (The Holy Letter), 199 Teshuvah, 176 Mishneh Torah, 84 The Thirteen Petalled Rose, 223–224, 310, Torah commentary, 223 325–326 Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal) (Jewish sage), 41, 77–78, (Kabbalist) 301–303, 335 Derech Hashem (The Way of God), 223, Rabbi . See Rabbi Kaplan 280 (Kabbalist) Messilat Yesharim (The Path of the Just), Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Finkel (Kabbalist) 222–223 Contemporary Sages, 327 Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Kabbalist), 222, The Great Chasidic Masters, 327 310, 337 The Great Torah Commentators, 327 Rabbi Nachman (Kabbalist) Kabbalah: Selections from Classic gravesite of, 317 Kabbalistic Works, 327 sin of despair, 123 Rabbi Dov Ber (Hasidic leader), 50 Tales of Rabbi Nachman, 225–226 Rabbi Eliezer (Jewish sage), 78–80, 330–331 teachings of, 123, 311 Rabbi Elijah () (Kabbalist), 3, 49, Rabbi Philip Berg (founder of the Kabbalah 308–309, 346 Centre), 26, 52 1 Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (Kabbalist), Rabbi Herbert Weiner (9 ⁄2 Mystics: The Kabbalah Today), 327 311 Rabbi (the Ari) (Kabbalist), Rabbi (Kabbalist), 23, 45–46, 87, 221–222, 304, 315, 318, 335 42, 219, 303, 316 Rabbi (Kabbalist), 304–307 Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkebetz (Kabbalist), Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (Baal Shem Tov) 44, 158–159, 315, 335 (founder of Hasidism), 24, 307–308, Rabbi Shneur Zalman (leader of the 317, 336 Lubavitch Hasidic group), 224 Rabbi Jack Gabriel (musician), 123 Rabbi (Kabbalist), 310 Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (founder (Kabbalist), 318 of Jewish Renewal) Rabbi Joseph Karo (author of Jewish Code Jewish Renewal movement, 25–26, 51 of Law), 44, 101, 193, 222, 255, 310, 315, 336 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 361

Index 361

Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal renaming a sick baby, 194 Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter- repairing the world, 102–105, 145–146 Shalomi, 311, 326 repentance, 116–118, 175, 282 Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Reuben, 330 Tales of the Hasidic Masters, 326 right side, significance of, 140 Rachel, 295, 330 rituals Ram, 203 Artscroll Prayer Book, 327 Ramban (Kabbalist), 84, 199, 223, 314, 328 brit milah (circumcision), 336 Ramban Synagogue, 314 cheshbon hanefesh, 337 Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto) Kiddush, 155, 163 (Kabbalist) lighting the Sabbath candles, 157–158 Derech Hashem (The Way of God), 223 mourning, 203–206 Messilat Yesharim (The Path of the Just), Shalom Zachor, 106 222–223 Simchat Bat, 106 Raphael (healing angel), 118, 122 Sukkot, 178–179 Rav Kook. See Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook washing hands, 162–163 (first Chief Rabbi of Palestine and rodef, 137 Kabbalist) root of Kabbalah, 12 reality Rosh Chodesh, 342 God at the center of, 56 Rosh Hashanah, 174–176, 342 superficial views of, 55 Rosh Hashanah machzor, 175 ten sefirot, 71–73 , 99 Reb Zusia (Jewish sage), 139 ruach hakodesh, 193–194, 342 rebbe (spiritual mentor), 25 Ruth, 333 Rebecca, 330 receiving the gift of the Sabbath (Shabbat), 151 • S • receiving the tradition of Kabbalah, 12, 16 Sabbath (Shabbat) reciting the 23rd Psalm, 161–162 blessing the children, 159 Reconstructionist Jews, 24–25, 51 bread, 155–156 red string tied around the wrist, 295 candles, 154, 157–158 references to God, 2 clothing, 154 Reform Jews, 24, 51 cup, 154–155 reincarnation enjoying, 164–165 belief in, 101 grape juice, 154 birth, 105–106 greeting, 156–157 death, 106–108 havdalah, 154, 170, 338 defined, 102 Kiddush, 163 incarnations, 102–105 meals, 159–164 Jewish tradition, 101 mikvah, 153 learning process for souls, 110–111 observing, 164–165 Olam ha’ba, 119 oneg Shabbat, 168–169 parable about, 110 planning for, 150–151 process of, 102 preparing for, 152, 170–172 significance of, 109 reading from the Torah, 168–169 tending God’s garden, 109 receiving the gift of, 151 relationship with God, 19, 278–282 reciting the 23rd Psalm, 161–162 remez, 342 rest, 149–150 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 362

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Sabbath (Shabbat) (continued) defined, 17, 343 shalom zachor, 192 Gevurah, 63–64, 70, 338 shamor, 164 Hod, 66–67, 70, 338 songs, 158–161 Keter, 60, 339 supplies for, 154–155 Malchut, 68, 340 39 prohibited activities, 167–168 Netzach, 65–66, 70, 94, 341 washing hands, 162–163 Passover, 184 wine, 154 reality, 71–73 work, 165–168 sefirat haomer, 185–186 Yom Rishon (Sunday), 150 within sefirot, 71 Yom Sheni (Monday), 150 soul, 58 zachor, 164 Sukkot, 178 Samson, 331 Tiferet, 64–65, 345 Samuel, 332 Tree of Life, 59, 69–71, 94 , 24 Yesod, 67–68, 346 , 330 segula, 295 Satan, 333, 343 separation of the soul from the body, 204 Saul, 332 Sephardic pronunciation of Schachter-Shalomi, Rabbi Zalman (founder Hebrew words, 4 of Jewish Renewal) seraphs, 98 Jewish Renewal movement, 25–26, 51 sermons, 337 Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal 70, significance of the number, 241 Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter- sex, 199–201 Shalomi, 311, 326 Shaarei Teshuvah (Gerondi), 176 Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Shabbat (Sabbath) Tales of the Hasidic Masters, 326 blessing the children, 159 Schneerson, Rabbi Joseph Isaac bread, 155–156 (Kabbalist), 318 candles, 154, 157–158 Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Mendel clothing, 154 (Hasidic rebbe), 107, 318 cup, 154–155 scholars, 27 enjoying, 164–165 scull caps, 294–295 grape juice, 154 search for God, 18–19 greeting, 156–157 secrets in the story of creation, 240 havdalah, 154, 170, 338 secrets of, 1 Kiddush, 163 seder, 183–184, 343 meals, 159–164 Seder Olam Rabbah, 217 mikvah, 153 Sefer Bahir (Book of Illumination), 220, 236 observing, 164–165 (Book of Formation), 38, 221, oneg Shabbat, 168–169 236 planning for, 150–151 sefirat haomer, 185–186 preparing for, 152, 170–172 sefirot reading from the Torah, 168–169 Binah, 61–62, 70, 94 receiving the gift of, 151 Chabad, 25, 336 reciting the 23rd Psalm, 161–162 Chanukah, 180 rest, 149–150 chart of, 59 shalom zachor, 192 Chesed, 63, 70, 337 shamor, 164 Chochmah, 60–61, 70, 94, 337 songs, 158–161 Da’at, 15–16, 62, 100, 337 supplies for, 154–155 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 363

Index 363

39 prohibited activities, 167–168 “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (The Byrds), 196–197 washing hands, 162–163 “Up with Joy,” 123 wine, 154 soul work, 165–168 beliefs about, 18, 91–95 Yom Rishon (Sunday), 150 birth, 105–106 Yom Sheni (Monday), 150 blueprint of, 59 zachor, 164 death, 106–108 Shabbatai Tzvi, 47–48 descent for the sake of ascension, 94–95 Shaddai, 283 final destination of, 119 Shakharit, 142–143 five levels of, 95–96, 99–100 shalom zachor, 106, 191–192, 343 four realms of human existence, 97–98 Shammai (Jewish sage), 137 learning process, 110–111 shamor, 164 partnership of three in the creation of Shavuot, 184–185, 187, 344 human beings, 91–92, 102 Shechina, 68, 320 prayers, 245 Shelah HaKodesh (Kabbalist), 304–307 reincarnation, 101–108 Shem, 329 repairing the world, 102–105 shevirat ha-kelim (breaking of the vessels), separation from the body, 204 17, 87–88 spark of God in everyone, 92–93 Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs), 200–201 tasks for, 103–104 , 205 ten sefirot, 58, 94 shloshim, 206, 344 Tree of Life, 94 Sh’ma prayer, 143, 203, 249, 344 ultimate soul, 93, 298 Shmoneh Esrai (“The Prayer”), 266 uniqueness of, 93–94 Sh’mot (Exodus), 212 Souls on Fire (Wiesel), 326 Shnei Luchot Habrit, 344 spices, 156 shoes, putting on with purpose, 140–141 spirit, 274 Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), 19, spiritual charges, 116 222, 255, 315, 344 spiritual realm of human existence, 98 siddur, 259–262, 344 spontaneous prayer, 248 Sifra on Leviticus, 216–217 standing before the King of Kings of Kings, Sifre on Numbers and Deuteronomy, 217 249 Simchat Bat, 106 Steinsaltz, Rabbi Adin (Kabbalist) Simchat Torah, 179, 345 Beggars and Prayers, 226 Simeon, 330 Discourses on Hasidic Thought, 225 Simple Words (Steinsaltz), 326 Learning From the Tanya, 225 sin of despair, 123 life of, 309–310 Singer, Ellen, Paradigm Shift: From the Opening the Tanya, 225 Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Simple Words, 326 Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, 326 Teshuvah, 176 smiling, 137 The Thirteen Petalled Rose, 223–224, 310, The Snake, 37, 329 325–326 social action, 82 stem cell research, 105 Solomon, 332 study Song of Songs (Shir Hashirim), 200–201 benefits, 229 songs daily task of, 127, 130–133 “L’cha Dodi,” 158–159, 315 in English, 234–235 Sabbath, 158–161 fighting the tendency to forget, 229–230 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 364

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study (continued) Tanakh in Hebrew, 236–237, 295–296 commentaries, 131–132 Holy Scriptures, 131–132 defined, 345 importance of, 14, 21–23, 228–229 Ketuvim, the Writings, 213–214 Kabbalah, 234 Nevi’im, the Prophets, 212–213 Mishnah, 233 study of, 131–132 myths about, 289–296 Torah (Five Books of Moses), 210–212 Perke Avos, 132 Tanna Devei Eliyahu, 217 prerequisites for, 290–291 Tanya, 224–225 talking to God, 230 tasks for the soul, 103–104 , 234, 243 teachers, 3, 32–33, 237–238 teachers, 237–238 Tefillah (“The Prayer”), 246, 265–267, 282, Torah, 23, 231–233, 239–243 345 when to begin, 230–234 Tehillim (Psalms), 130, 345 where to begin, 230–234 Temple Mount, 315 study partner, 132–133, 238–239 Ten Commandments, 58 suffering ten sefirot coping with, 121–122 Binah, 61–62, 70, 94 divine punishment, 119 Chabad, 25, 336 gam zu l’tovah, 81 Chanukah, 180 healing powers, 118, 122–123 chart of, 59 Job, 122 Chesed, 63, 70, 337 Olam ha’ba, 119 Chochmah, 60–61, 70, 94, 337 Olam ha’zeh, 119 Da’at, 15–16, 62, 100, 337 purification, 123–124 defined, 17, 343 reasons for, 113, 118–120 Gevurah, 63–64, 70, 338 reincarnation, 111 Hod, 66–67, 70, 338 tests, 120–121 Keter, 60, 339 Sukkot, 177–179, 345 Malchut, 68, 340 Sunday (Yom Rishon), 150 Netzach, 65–66, 70, 94, 341 superficial views of reality, 55 Passover, 184 supervision from God, 86 reality, 71–73 supplies for Sabbath, 154–155 sefirat haomer, 185–186 sweet-smelling spices, 156 within sefirot, 71 synagogue, 254, 319–320 soul, 58 Sukkot, 178 Tiferet, 64–65, 345 • T • Tree of Life, 59, 69–71, 94 Tales of Rabbi Nachman (Nachman), Yesod, 67–68, 346 225–226 ten utterances, 17, 58 talking to God, 230, 280 tendency to forget, 229–230 Talmud tending God’s garden, 109 Daf Yomi, 234 teshuvah, 116–118, 175, 282, 345 importance of studying, 215–216, 243 Teshuvah (Steinsaltz), 176 prayer, 260 tests, 120 studying in seven and a half years, 234 , 65 Torah, 22 The Thirteen Petalled Rose, (Steinsaltz), translations, 235–236 223–224, 310, 325–326 Tamar, 331–332 39 prohibited activities, 167–168 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 365

Index 365

Tiferet sefirah, 64–65, 345 tikkun, 17, 146, 345 • V • Tikkun Leil Shavuot, 187 Vayikra (Leviticus), 212, 346 time vertical lines of the Tree of Life, 69 God, 272–273 vidui prayer, 202, 346 view of, 150 Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Elijah) (Kabbalist), 3, 49, Tisha B’Av, 188, 318, 345 308–309, 346 Tomer Devorah, 222 Torah characters in, 329–331 • W • defined, 22, 345 waking thoughts, 138–139 Ein mukdam u’meuchar b’Torah, 131 washing importance of studying, 239–242 awareness of God, 139 levels of study, 242–243 hands, for Sabbath, 162–163 Sabbath, 168–169 hands, when you awake, 140 Simchat Torah, 179, 345 The Way of God, (Derech HaShem) (Rabbi study of, 23, 209–212 Moshe Chaim Luzzatto), 223, 280 studying in one year, 231–233 The Way of Splendor: Jewish Mysticism and translations, 235 Modern Psychology, (Hoffman), 326 Torat HaSod, 219 weddings, 198 transforming angels, 116–118 1 Weiner, Rabbi Herbert (9 ⁄2 Mystics: The translations of traditional texts, 235–236 Kabbalah Today), 327 Tree of Life (Etz Chayim), 44, 59, 69–71, 94, Western Wall, 315, 318 221–222 white tablecloth, 156 triads on the Tree of Life, 70–71 Wiesel, Elie Trust in God (bitachon), 84–85, 281, 336 life of, 311 Tsva’ot, 283 Souls on Fire, 326 “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (The Byrds), 196–197 wine, 154 23rd Psalm, 161–162 work, 165–168 , 135, 346 world blueprint, 59 Tzfat, 44, 152, 315–316, 319, 346 Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and tzimtzum, 17, 278, 346 Tales of the Hasidic Masters (Schachter- tziztit, 259 Shalomi), 326 writing the , 284 • U • Writings (Ketuvim), 131, 214, 333, 339 ultimate soul, 93, 298 understanding God, 269–272 • Y • unio mystica, 12 Yaakov (Jacob), 65, 211, 330, 346 United States, holy gravesites in, 319 Yah, 61, 283 university courses, 27 Yahweh, 282 “Up with Joy,” 123 Yalkut Shimoni, 217 Uriah, 332 yartzeit, 206, 346 Uriel (angel who carries knowledge of yechida, 99, 346 God), 118 , 145, 228, 346 ushpizen, 178 Yesod sefirah, 67–68, 346 Yesodei HaTorah (The Foundation of the Torah) (Ramban), 328 32_915904 bindex.qxp 10/3/06 1:39 PM Page 366

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yetzer hara (inclination for evil), 165, 196, 346 • Z • yetzer hatov (inclination for good), 165, zachor, 164, 347 196, 346 Zalman, Rabbi Shneur (leader of the yetzerah, 346 Lubavitch Hasidic group), 224 yetzirah, 96–98 Zebulon, 331 Y-H-V-H, 65, 282 Zechariah, 333 Y-H-V-H Tzvaot, 66 Zephaniah, 332 Yitzchak, 346 Zilpah, 330 Yom Kippur (Days of Awe), 111, 176–177, Ziporah, 331 318, 347 z’man simchataynu, 179 Yom Rishon (Sunday), 150 Zohar, 22–23, 218–220, 236, 347 Yom Sheni (Monday), 150 Zusia, Reb (Jewish sage), 139 Yosef (Joseph), 68, 331