The Science of Kabbalah

This week Rabbi Yitzchak is joined once again by his wife Leah. They discuss the Torah portion of Ki Tisa and connect some of the themes to the current Coronavirus Pandemic. Not only is there allusions to this virus in the Torah, but a connection is made to the Mishkan, the Half Shekel, the Golden Calf and to the holiday of Purim which we are celebrating today in most of Israel, and in walled cities like Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Now that the High Holidays are over we are starting the Torah reading cycle anew with the first book of the bible. The big question tackled this week by Rav Yitzchak and William this week is why did the Torah start with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, rather than the first? Tune in for this very interesting show.

This week Rabbi Yitzchak discusses the very interesting and often misunderstood concept of reincarnation. Kabbalah has much to teach about the soul, and its need for rectification as it relates to the Torah and Mitzvot. If you have ever been interested in the subject, this might be the show that will help you to understand.

This week on the Science of Kabbalah, Rav YItzchak and William explore the weekly Torah portion of Balak. Is there a connection between this evil king of Moab, and the planet Jupiter? Jupiter has actually been visible in Israel for the last few days, and you would be surprised to learn that the Torah does in fact speak about it, as well as several of the sages of Judaism. Listen in to learn some amazing facts about the planet and its connection to this Torah portion.

This week Rav Yitzchak and William discuss the Torah Portion Terumah, which has to do with bringing offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. However, there is much more we can learn about the physical tabernacle and its connection to the spiritual.

Rav Yitzchak is joined by Professor Daniel Matt, a world renowned expert of Jewish Spirituality and Kabbalah. Professor Matt has produced a monumental translation of the Zohar, called the Pritzker Edition which was published in English. He has written numerous books, and is here today to speak to us about how cosmology, science and Kabbalah intersect.

Rabbi Yitzchak and William discuss the Olah (Burnt) Offering and the unique instruction to remove its skin. In our current situation, we are incapable of touching other people and are even told to avoid coming in contact with the skin on our own faces. Can there be a spiritual connection to skin, the human soul, and our current Coronavirus environment. Listen to this very unique perspective from the Kabbalah and the Sages of Judaism.

Rabbi Amicha Cohen joins Rav Yitzchak and William to continue the discussion on Achdut (Unity) and what can be done to work on ourselves to change our world. Sources from the Zohar on the elements that went into the creation of man and how fire and water interact give us insight into bringing unity to ourselves and others.

Science of Kabbalah started with a show on creation so it makes sense that on this our final show we talk about the end of days or what we classify as the Messianic Age in Judaism.

Rav Yitzchak and William are joined by Lorelai Kude. Lorelai has over forty years of experience in astrology as it relates to Jewish tradition. Her Master's thesis "Yesh Mazal B'Yisarel," translated as "There is Mazal in Israel," is the answer to the often quoted source by most Jews that there is in fact no mazal or constellation in Israel. Meaning that Jews don't believe in, or shouldn't be involved in astrology. However, there are numerous sources from the sages of Judaism that speak otherwise. This is a fascinating show that will challenge your beliefs on the role of astrology in Judaism specifically, as well as for all the rest of the world.

Rav Yitzchak and William discuss rainbows, the seven Noahide laws, and how it all connects to Kabbalah.

We have entered the Yamim Noraim, the Ten Days of Awe. The period of deep repentance between Rosh HaShana - The Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur

This week Rav Yitzchak is once again joined by his wife for this special show on Yom Kippur. Every year in every synagogue the book of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur, but is there something more we can learn about our current troubles in the world and the story of a prophet swallowed by a fish? Listen in to this very special message for the Jewish people and all of humanity.

In this week's show Rav Yitzchak and William discuss the real battle we go through in life, and how we react to Divine Providence and Hester Panim (The hiding of the face of the Creator)

Rabbi Yitzchak is on his own this week talking about the double Torah portion of Tazria and Metzora. In these Torah portions we learn about a woman's purification from giving birth and the Metzora, or someone who is afflicted with the skin condition known as "Tzaraat," which is often translated as leprosy. The teachings of the Jewish Sages and Kabbalah offer a different perspective on these issues, and might change your perspective as it relates to our age of Coronavirus.

We just entered a period knowns a the "Three Weeks" that start with the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and ends on Tish B'Av (the 9th of Av).

This week Rabbi Yitzchak and William discuss Yaakov's (Jacob's) dream of the ladder from earth to heaven and the commentaries that speak about this amazing dream. You will be very surprised to learn that the Talmud and other commentaries bring up the concept of the contraction of the earth, or a supernatural occurrence that allows the distance of travel to be shortened. Something very similar to the scientific concept of time folding in on itself.

Rabbi Yitzchak and William continue their discussion on the words form, make, and create which uncovers some interesting answers to the creation of man and the age of the universe. If you ever were confused by the beginning verses of Genesis, you won't want to miss this show.

We are joined this week by Rabbi Yechiel Yashfe from Yashfe Winery here in Tzfat. Are you aware that wine can be made according to Torah?

Rav Yitzchak and William discuss the flame, the wick, the oil and candles of Chanukah and how the Ohr HaGanuz (Hidden Light) comes and reveals the essence of all things. Finally, they interview Lauren Skae who has traveled all over the world seeking spirituality, only to arrive in Tzfat which she describes as the source of all wisdom.

Do the Jewish people have a responsibility or obligation to share Torah with spiritual seekers from the nations?

What does the Torah teach us about mourning in Judaism? Rabbi Yitzchak shares with William and the audience his personal experience in dealing with, Baruch Dayan HaEmet, the death of his wonderful mother. Learn about the different stages or mourning and some of the practices, with their relevant sources in the Torah.

This week we are joined by Professor Joe Uscinski a Political Scientist and expert in conspiracy theories. The author of two books on the subject, Professor Uscinski shares his perspective after years of extensive research on the origins of conspiracy theories and what drives a person to be drawn to such beliefs. He also shares his opinion as it relates to past pandemics as well as our current battle against Coronavirus.

This week Rav Yitzchak is joined by his wife Leah, as they discuss the iceberg metaphor. What does the "Tip of the Iceberg" mean? How does it relate to redemption, and what can we do to look beneath the surface in order to change ourselves and the world around us?

In Part 2 of this episode of A Vision Beyond Nature and Science we continue the discussion on the connections of Kabbalistic concepts with our physical world.

A sink hole opens up at Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem in the same week that we are getting ready to read the Torah portion of Korach.

Your hosts discuss the opposition expressed by other countries to Israel's proclamation of sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria according to the Trump Peace Plan. They continue their discussion about statues being torn down in the U.S. and around the world, as well as the decision by the Israeli Cable Council to suspend the license for Shelanu, a missionary channel targeting Jews for conversion. As always Rabbi Yitzchak and William try to make a connection to these current events with Torah and Kabbalah.

This week's Science of Kabbalah returns to its roots with a discussion of how the Torah connects us, and even allows us to see beyond nature and the physical world. This was accomplished by the great teachers of Kabbalah as they looked beyond our physical world to the upper worlds. Not to only gain wisdom and knowledge, but to unlock the key to true rectification and redemption.

This week in preparation for Shavuot our team speaks about the weekly Torah portion of Naso. How we are to understand the ritual of the Sotah, the woman suspected of committing adultery and the juxtaposition of the Nazir. The Nazirite who takes a vow to refrain from drinking wine or having anything made from grapes. Rabbi Yitzchak and William speak about both of these concepts connecting back to the sin in the Garden of Eden, and how all this relates to our own preparation for the reception of the holy Torah on Shavuot.

What in the world is the connection between Purim, the Red Heifer, and Passover. Rav Yitzchak and William discuss this upside down world, and a lesson from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov who connects these three concepts which seem to be unrelated.