Kabbalah Since the AR”Y: Lurianic Kabbalah

While the roots of Jewish mysticism can be found in the Torah, the past millennia have contributed numerous extraordinary developments and revelations in the field of Kabbalah. In particular, the teachings and ideas of 16th century kabbalist, Rabbi Isaac Luria, also known as the AR”Y (or the Ari or Arizal), have been profoundly influential on Jewish mystical thinking, literature, and life. In this podcast episode, David provides historical context to the emergence of the Kabbalah of the AR”Y and then explores the two primary paths that disseminated his monumental ideas, through the works of rabbis Chayim Vital and Israel Sarug.

Kabbalah Since the AR"Y: David Solomon podcast on the four worlds — Four Worlds. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Four_World.png0 International license.

Kabbalah Since the AR"Y: David Solomon podcast on emanation — Emanation of Sefirot according to Lurianic Kabbala. Public Domain.

Continue reading “#59 Kabbalah Since the AR”Y (1)”

A Jewish History Podcast

With a background of war, emerging superpowers, and the Enlightenment, Jewish History of the 17th century is largely seen through the prism of communal experience. In this podcast episode, David explores the narratives and circumstances of communities across Europe, tales of emerging Jewish life in the Americas, and accounts of the situation for Jews in the Land of Israel. In examining these fascinating stories, David also weaves in portraits of individuals, showing how their contributions and situations were reflected in the broader picture of shared Jewish experience.

The old synagogue in Josefov, Prague. Public Domain.

Continue reading “#41 Communities in Search of Meaning: Jewish History of the 17th Century (part 1)”