Kosher Universal Spirituality

Parashas Balak: "The Nut and The Rabbi" The article on Soulmazal Blogspot, (https://soulmazal.blogspot.com/2014/07/and-pinchas-flying-in-air-parashas-balak.html) "Parashas Balak: The Nut and The Rabbi" by Rabbi David Katz is an exploration of a narrative in the Torah that is said to be largely overlooked within Jewish circles.  The narrative focuses on the events surrounding Pinchas, the son of Aaron, who eliminates Zimri and Cozbi, who were encouraging improper behavior among Jews and new Gerim. The narrative unfolds as a clash between sorcery and Torah existence, but perhaps, it is suggested, it needs a deeper examination. The story is shrouded in the tactics of two agents, Balaam and Balak, who conspire to curse Israel's existence. But each of their intended curses on Israel bizarrely ends up being a blessing. There isn't much attention paid to understanding the true nature of these antagonists, but delving into it may lead to surprising insights. The key...

Choosing Mazal Over Religion: A Journey Through Life, Progeny, and Sustenance  Our belief system plays a pivotal role in shaping our worldview. For some, religious figures like Yoshke once stood as the bedrock of their perspective. Without questioning, such beliefs could persist, steering our understanding of reality indefinitely.  However, intellectual growth is spurred by the act of questioning. Scrutinizing our beliefs triggers an exploratory journey into our deepest convictions. This expedition may reveal fundamental flaws in our previous understanding. With this newfound insight, we can realign our belief system, which in turn, opens the pathway for novel inquiries and personal transformation. Life is essentially an expedition into the unknown, a voyage that remains largely enigmatic until our final moments. A realization dawned upon me recently: this unknown is not a cause for fear but an integral part of our existence, worthy of our embrace. We are explorers...

Parashat Korach: Unveiling the Quest for Power and the Struggle for Spiritual Balance "1. Now Korah... Rabbi Yitzchak tells us that if the children of Yisrael had followed the Torah they would not have been exiled, because whoever deals in the Torah has freedom from everything including death. The Torah is the power of the right, and whoever exchanges the left for the right is as if he destroys the world. Rabbi Yitzchak says that Aaron is right and the Levites are left, and that Korah wanted to exchange them in that he desired the  priesthood; this is why he was punished. Korah had an evil tongue, he took bad counsel, he chased after something that was not his, and he turned to disagreement which brought conflict instead of peace. The Shabbat is the peace of the upper and lower grades, and by this peace the world endures; whoever creates dissension in this peace will be destroyed." (Zohar - English translation) "Now Korah...took" (Bemidbar 16:1). HE ASKS...

Parashat Korach: Divine Coordinates and the Path to Harmonious Existence  Parashat Korach presents timeless wisdom, emphasizing the understanding of duality and unity. It teaches us that conflicts often arise from a sense of divergence and polarity. This discord begins when we lose sight of the universal interconnectedness, and more profoundly, when we overlook the divine principle of God's Oneness. In such circumstances, our perceptions are skewed, leading us to view the other end of the spectrum not as a counterpart but as an adversary. This distorted perspective is a profound folly. Consider a marriage, a bond between two vital coordinates - the husband and wife. Each fulfills a unique role, together fostering an equilibrium within the relationship. Importantly, one is not superior to the other - together, they are the essence of life itself. This principle extends beyond individual relationships; no one figure, be it Leah or Rachel, the Kohen Hagadol, the Kohen, the...

The Promised Land Within: A Profound Exploration from the Torah Perspective The Torah's rich tapestry of wisdom offers an enlightening perspective on our spiritual journey through the metaphor of the Promised Land. The maxim "Every person has his own promised land that God wants him to conquer. It's for the sake of becoming the person that you were created to be" encapsulates a divine mandate of personal growth and spiritual fulfillment, unique to each individual. Every person, created in the image of God (b'tzelem Elokim), embarks on a unique journey to actualize their inherent divine potential. Historically, the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land illustrates the soul's trajectory from spiritual bondage to divine liberation. Metaphorically, 'Egypt' symbolizes our spiritual constraints, the 'wilderness' embodies our struggles and refinement, and the 'Promised Land' signifies the spiritual ascendance an...

Embracing Kosher Universal Spirituality: Finding Divine Connection in Mazal Introduction: In the quest for spiritual fulfillment, we often confine ourselves to religious frameworks. However, what if spirituality transcends these boundaries? What if the so-called secular aspects of life carry inherent spiritual value? Welcome to the realm of Kosher Universal Spirituality, where everything is Torah, and everything can connect us to the divine. In this pursuit, the key lies in discovering the inyan, the purpose and meaning, which can be found through the transformative power of Torah learning. The Essence of Mazal: At the core lies the concept of Mazal. It is through Mazal that we receive blessings, guidance, and sustenance from the Eternal One. Mazal encompasses banim (legacy/offspring), chayim (life/health), and mazon (sustenance). By recognizing these dimensions within our lives, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with God and the world around us. Seeing the Inyan Everyw...

The narratives and teachings of the Torah embody the essence of a Torah lifestyle, providing spiritual guidance and insights into the human condition. Among the myriad characters appearing throughout the Torah, the Ger, or the "stranger living amongst the Israelites", holds a pivotal role. However, this role is frequently underappreciated in interpretations of the Torah passages, leading to a somewhat narrowed, ethnocentric interpretation primarily centered on Jewish characters and experiences. Parashat Shelach, a significant portion from the Book of Numbers, serves as an illustrative example of this issue. The tale recounts the Israelites' destructive speech and the consequential demolition of the two Temples, symbolizing the dire consequences of division and disunity. However, a vital piece is often missing in traditional interpretations of this narrative—the role of the Ger. This omission contributes to an incomplete understanding of the story and its broader moral imp...