Ehud G: I see people drinking "Energy drinks." Energy comes from food. Everything else is internalizing the use of your body's existing power past its normal desire to exude it...
Él-Ad E: That's what going to minyan and reading the Torah does.
Ehud G: I must not be understanding the word in the same way... I was raised in Israel... and minyan means quorum of ten... ?
Reuven S: Perfect concept.
Él-Ad E: @Ehud: yes, the quorom and synonym for any prayer group of 10 or more men that gathers for prayer. In Kabbala it is taught that there are 10 major ways/categories in which G-d directs energies into the world. We're all familiar with Chesed and the ways of Avraham Avinu. We also know Yosef as Yosef ha-Tzadik but not all know that that is one of the ten ways too: Yesod (Tzadik Yesod Olam). These ten spheres are called the Sefirot in Kabbalah: Keter, Chochmah, Binah, Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, Malchut. Our souls are a Chelek Elokeem me'mah'ahl - a portion from G-d On High or put another way "a pinch from the Kisay ha-Kavod, the Throne of Glory". When ten gather, the first ten take on the aspect of the corresponding Sefirah. That is why it is so commendable to be among the first ten to arrive for prayers. When people sing, Reb Shlomo Carlebach taught, they unite as one. This also occurs when people are silent - or silently united in saying the same prayers. The Talmud asks, "What is 'Amen'?" And answers, "E-l Melech Neh'eh'mah" - All Powerful G-d, King that is Faithful. Everybody thinks it's just a cool acronym. In fact, it's a secret teaching: that when a minyan recites Amen, their souls come to the fore, unite all the 10 aspects and with the whole complement of G-d's attributes IT BECOMES G-D ANSWERING 'AMEN' AND AGREEING TO THE BLESSINGS + PRAYERS BEING SAID BY THE CANTOR, the appointed messenger of the congregation.
Él-Ad E: @Ehud: in terms of energy from food - I've studied Tai Chi for 28+ years. When I recite the Grace after meals, I can literally feel Chi/energy being released. These are what are called the Neetzozote - the sparks of Kedushah the mekubalim say are in everything. Eat it without a bracha and you're right. If you want to get scientific, you know E=MC**2 so you can even understand it on that level: the mass is energy; a nuclear bomb will achieve one effect with matter; blessings do too. This is only a scratch on a scratch on the surface of this subject. The depths of Creation, the Sodot, the Briliance is * a w e s o m e. *
Stan N: I'm a Conservative, and woman are included in the Minyun. Very Kaballistic. But I had the sense that I needed to be the best person I could be. I believe in the full meaning of Tsedakah - Social Justice. Believe strongly in Tikkun Olam. Even before I was aware ofwhat Kaballah teaches. Where did I get it. From the Prophets and Hillel.
Choni Elchonon Kihleel: To Stan N - As you probably already know, Torah is a very integrated study and some of what's under the topic of Kabbalah can be found in Talmud, Midrash and Tenakh (Bible) as well.
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ReplyDeleteEhud G: I see people drinking "Energy drinks." Energy comes from food. Everything else is internalizing the use of your body's existing power past its normal desire to exude it...
Él-Ad E: That's what going to minyan and reading the Torah does.
Ehud G: I must not be understanding the word in the same way... I was raised in Israel... and minyan means quorum of ten... ?
Reuven S: Perfect concept.
Él-Ad E: @Ehud: yes, the quorom and synonym for any prayer group of 10 or more men that gathers for prayer. In Kabbala it is taught that there are 10 major ways/categories in which G-d directs energies into the world. We're all familiar with Chesed and the ways of Avraham Avinu. We also know Yosef as Yosef ha-Tzadik but not all know that that is one of the ten ways too: Yesod (Tzadik Yesod Olam). These ten spheres are called the Sefirot in Kabbalah: Keter, Chochmah, Binah, Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, Malchut. Our souls are a Chelek Elokeem me'mah'ahl - a portion from G-d On High or put another way "a pinch from the Kisay ha-Kavod, the Throne of Glory". When ten gather, the first ten take on the aspect of the corresponding Sefirah. That is why it is so commendable to be among the first ten to arrive for prayers. When people sing, Reb Shlomo Carlebach taught, they unite as one. This also occurs when people are silent - or silently united in saying the same prayers. The Talmud asks, "What is 'Amen'?" And answers, "E-l Melech Neh'eh'mah" - All Powerful G-d, King that is Faithful. Everybody thinks it's just a cool acronym. In fact, it's a secret teaching: that when a minyan recites Amen, their souls come to the fore, unite all the 10 aspects and with the whole complement of G-d's attributes IT BECOMES G-D ANSWERING 'AMEN' AND AGREEING TO THE BLESSINGS + PRAYERS BEING SAID BY THE CANTOR, the appointed messenger of the congregation.
Él-Ad E: @Ehud: in terms of energy from food - I've studied Tai Chi for 28+ years. When I recite the Grace after meals, I can literally feel Chi/energy being released. These are what are called the Neetzozote - the sparks of Kedushah the mekubalim say are in everything. Eat it without a bracha and you're right. If you want to get scientific, you know E=MC**2 so you can even understand it on that level: the mass is energy; a nuclear bomb will achieve one effect with matter; blessings do too. This is only a scratch on a scratch on the surface of this subject. The depths of Creation, the Sodot, the Briliance is * a w e s o m e. *
Stan N: I'm a Conservative, and woman are included in the Minyun. Very Kaballistic. But I had the sense that I needed to be the best person I could be. I believe in the full meaning of Tsedakah - Social Justice. Believe strongly in Tikkun Olam. Even before I was aware ofwhat Kaballah teaches. Where did I get it. From the Prophets and Hillel.
Choni Elchonon Kihleel: To Stan N - As you probably already know, Torah is a very integrated study and some of what's under the topic of Kabbalah can be found in Talmud, Midrash and Tenakh (Bible) as well.