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The present book, the second of a six-volume series, is an adaptation into readily accessible English of 11 fundamental discourses--one for each weekly Torah portion in the book of Exodus--from Rabbi Schneur Zalman's classic work, Torah Or. It is thus an unprecedented presentation of chassidic philosophy and mysticism as explained in detail in their original source. Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of the intellectual branch of Chassidism--Chabad--is credited with bringing the deepest secrets of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah "down to earth," so they could be read and understood by even the average person. He broke the paradigm: it was no longer, "first perfect yourself spiritually, then you will be fit to study this"; now it was, "study this and it will help you to perfect yourself spiritually." The worldwide spread of Chabad-appealing to people of all backgrounds, and in every conceivable culture-in the centuries since bears elegant testimony to the power of these ideas to tap the very Jewish soul. And yet, written in scholarly Hebrew, these keys to the essential core of Judaism were locked away, untranslated, for almost 200 years. In this series, Rabbi Yitzchok Wagshul, a master teacher, does not merely translate the original material, he clearly explains it in friendly, articulate English for scholar and lay person alike. No background in Jewish knowledge is required; just a willingness to think. If Rabbi Schneur Zalman were teaching today, this book is what he might well say. Book jacket.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the intellectual branch of Chassidism known as Chabad, is credited with bringing the deepest secrets of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah down to earth so they could be understood by the average person. And yet, written in scholarly Hebrew, these keys to the essential core of Judaism were locked away, untranslated, for almost two hundred years. In this, the first volume of a projected six-volume series, master teacher Wagshul, does not merely translate the original material, he clearly explains it in friendly, articulate English for scholar and layman alike.

What is a Messiah? We have heard this word a lot, echoing down through the centuries. It is used by three major religions on this planet: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Who is the Messiah? What is, or what will his purpose be? And if he has already come, then what was his purpose? Will he return? If you ask this question to clerics of the three monotheistic religions, they each will give you a different answer and a different name. Each of these clerics will have a different concept of Messiah. In this book, Messianic Jewish moreh (teacher), cantor, and writer YEHOIAKIN BEN YA'OCOV explores each of the concepts in detail, in an easy-to-read format. Bet Doresh Messianic Jewish Ministries of New Mexico 2622 West Texas Street Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 [email protected]

The Book of the Shining Path is an in depth study of the fundamental and mystical understandings of the doctrines of Messianic Judaism. This book is a fundamental work for Messianic Jews for now and for generations of our people, far into the future, until which time Rabbi King Messiah returns. This book introduces the mystical nature of Messianic Jewish doctrine, as well as exploring understandings which set Messianic Judaism apart from other movements in Judaism as well as the Hebrew-root Chri

Jewish mysticism is quite popular by way of books, lectures, and classes to teach this esoteric subject. The student suddenly confronts a world with a unique language and great masters who use obscure language so that the concepts are confusing amidst the different schools of Kabalistic thought and traditions. Prior to 1700, all such teaching was done from master to student, with intentional obscurities so that the student today faces many challenges in comprehending this discipline. This review, quoting from original sources, is designed to provide a basic and foundational structure from which the student can appreciate both the 'why' of Kabbalism and the 'how' they got there. The premise is that God created our physical universe for a reason, and the revelations on Mount Sinai was deliberate. The Kabbalist understood the hidden from the apparent so that open texts was suddenly imbued with meaning never apparent from the text itself. The book review the major contributors to Kabbalah while reviewing the mystic concepts they contributed. Different schools of thought emerged over time so that different modalities of Kabbalah are present today. These reviews are based on Theoretical Kabbalah, so that intention (Kavanah) during prayer and even during mundane acts throughout the day are imbued with Kabbalistic intention. The book does not review Practical Kabbalah, where incantations, amulets, and similar acts are done to enhance positive energy. I do include the vignette of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia, a major proponent of this form of Kabbalah. In 1760, following the leadership and death of the Baal Shem Tov, the teaching of Kabbalah was opened to the lay public, setting aside the hidden curtain existing previously. Why the sudden change after thousands of years when this discipline was clandestine and not revealed openly? The answer lies with a mystic experience the Baal Shem Tov had with the Messiah who charged him with such open teaching before he would arrive. That charge is the central pivot upon which these teachings turn. The book's sections are divided into separate reviews to enable the student to review them more easily. The first section is on concepts; the second on personalities and the challenges they faced in their lives. It is common for great leaders not to dwell on their challenges in life, so it is especially important for posterity to be aware that their lives were often beset by great difficulties. Two vignettes review persons who were killed because of their beliefs. One was Rabbi Shlomo Molcho, a man who challenged both the reigning pope and secular emperor to accept their proper roles in life. In doing so, he was arrested and burned to death for his beliefs. When offered clemency if he reverted to the Christian faith, he refused, dying a martyr’s death. The other person who died in this horrific manner was a child of twelve years. Ines Esteban, whose family became conversos in Spain’s remote Extremadura. Hailed as a prophetess by the region’s conversos, she was arrested by the Inquisition, tortured and was burned at the stake in August 1500. The story of her leadership in the face of relentless religious persecution and her resolute refusal to become a Christian penitent is remarkable given her youth, her leadership and her individual role – she had no other to support her in this terrible time. She stood alone, without mentor or fellow mystic, though her father and stepmother fully supported her. I find it fitting and proper to dedicate this book to this remarkable young woman. Other Kabbalists through the ages also experienced great personal trials in life. Their collective leadership provides much detail to ponder their roles and teachings. It is hoped the student will have much opportunity to reflect on when studying this subject.

The Mystery of Lawlessness in Western Culture-Part I, explores the roots and rise of lawlessness within the Christian church as it is defined and described by the biblical authors, i.e. J-sus, the apostles Paul and John. Part II follows their predictions through the book of Revelation by tracing the record of prediction and fulfillment from the 1st century A.D. to the present day with consequences reaching far into the distant future for society and culture.