ב"ה
Article Summaries of Editors' Picks
![]() Intermediate
The Zohar
The Zohar teaches that the spiritual leader of the Jewish people is the equivalent of the entire Israelite nation. If he is righteous and worthy as Moses was, then all the people are deemed worthy in his merit. However, if he is not worthy, then the entire people are punished.
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![]() The Holy Ari
The Ari discusses how the powers of the evil inclination set out to chase the soul in order to harm it when the soul leaves the body. This is because the evil inclination is also the accusing angel. After taking the soul from the body, it pursues it in order to harm it and take vengeance on it.
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![]() Advanced
Mystical Classics
Rebbeinu Bachya teaches that when Moses raised his hands in the
battle against Amalek, he did something similar to what the priests do when they
raise their hands in the priestly blessing. By concentrating on the number ten
[the number of fingers] he concentrated on the ten sefirot and the
source of blessing that flows from that region to disembodied spirits.
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![]() Intermediate
Chasidic Masters
Shem miShmuel teaches that day and night
represent two different aspects of serving G‑d. The day stands for a clear
understanding of what we have to do. But,
there are times in life when we are stumbling to find our way through the
darkness.Then we have to proceed on faith alone, knowing that G‑d is guarding us from
going astray. This kind of spiritual service is called "night."
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![]() Beginner
Contemporary Kabbalists
Four factions developed in front of the Sea of Reeds, each with another plan of action, all erroneous. The common denominator of them all was that their plan of action originated in their own human psyche.
When one reaches the level of absolute surrender and "travels forth", the sea is split -the deepest dimension of the soul, the aspect that is absolutely one with G‑d, is manifest. |
![]() Ascent Lights
The Shabbat when this Torah reading is read is also called "Shabbat Shira" ("Shabbat of Song") because of the song Moses and the Jewish people sang at the splitting of the Red Sea.
The commandment of keeping Shabbat is also first mentioned in this week's Torah reading and this indicates that this Shabbat is the source for the elevation of all spiritual and physical worlds on every Shabbat of the year for all generations! |