18 Questions, 40 Mystics

Rabbi Daniel Rowe sees Jewish mysticism as a path to deepen one’s relationship with God. He connects Jewish mysticism to the deeper dimensions of the Torah, viewing it as a unifying principle that integrates various aspects of Judaism such as its commandments and stories. 

Formerly the executive director and senior educator at Aish UK, Rabbi Rowe holds a BA in philosophy from University College London and an MPhil from Birkbeck College. He recently moved to Jerusalem to assume the role of senior lecturer at Aish Global.

Rabbi Rowe does not consider himself a great expert in Jewish mysticism. Nevertheless, he sits down with us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including the inner dimensions of the Torah and how one can connect with the divine will. 

Here are our questions: 
What is Jewish mysticism?
How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?
In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?
What do you think of when you think of God?
What is the purpose of the Jewish people?
How does prayer work?
What is the goal of Torah study?
Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?
Should Judaism be hard or easy?
Why did God create the world? 
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? 
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?
What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?

For Rabbanit Shoshana Judelman, mysticism is a lens through which one can see through God’s reality and recognize the divine hand in world events and personal growth.

Shoshana Judelman is a passionate educator of Torah and Jewish history. Shoshana serves as the Women’s Mashpia for Congregation Shirat David, is a guide at Yad Vashem and leads inspirational trips for women with JRoots through Europe and Israel.

Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including the power of prayer and the universal applications of Jewish mysticism. 

What is Jewish mysticism?
How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?
In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?
What do you think of when you think of God?
What is the purpose of the Jewish people?
How does prayer work?
What is the goal of Torah study?
Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?
Should Judaism be hard or easy?
Why did God create the world? 
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? 
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?
What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?

Rabbi David Aaron first encountered Kabbala at the young age of eighteen. Now, kabbalistic thought is a central influence in his life, leading him to strive to see a “ray of godliness” within every person. 

Rabbi David Aaron is the Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta and the author of eight books, including Seeing God and The Secret Life of God. He is also a noted teacher and international speaker. 

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including how human beings are facets of the divine, that Judaism is meant to make life easy, and how men and women are equal but not the same. 

Here are our questions: 
What is Jewish mysticism?
How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?
In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?
What do you think of when you think of God?
What is the purpose of the Jewish people?
How does prayer work?
What is the goal of Torah study?
Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?
Should Judaism be hard or easy?
Why did God create the world? 
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? 
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?
What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?

As someone who has always been “anti-rational,” Dr. Ora Wiskind finds a world of deeper connection in Jewish mysticism. In particular, she is drawn to the study of Hasidism as a pathway to integrating spirituality into daily life. 

Dr. Ora Wiskind holds a PhD in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is the author of Hasidic Commentary on the Torah, Wisdom of the Heart: The Teachings of Rabbi Ya’akov of Izbica-Radzyn, and Tradition and Fantasy in the Tales of Reb Nahman of Bratslav. She is an associate professor and the head of the Graduate Program in Jewish Studies at Michlalah College, Jerusalem.

Now, she joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including the illusion of free will, embracing life's journey over understanding its purpose, and how transformation often emerges from brokenness. 

Here are our questions:
What is Jewish mysticism?
How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?
In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?
What do you think of when you think of God?
What is the purpose of the Jewish people?
How does prayer work?
What is the goal of Torah study?
Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?
Should Judaism be hard or easy?
Why did God create the world? 
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? 
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?
What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?

Professor Moshe Idel has always been curious about what he doesn’t know – it’s what drew him to the world of kabbalistic manuscripts, and ultimately it is what led him to become a philosopher of Jewish mysticism. 

Moshe Idel is professor emeritus of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University and a Senior Research Fellow at Hartman Institute. His PhD focuses on the thirteenth century kabbalist Abraham Abulafia.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the importance of diversity within Jewish life and the true concerns of most Jews throughout history. 

Here are our questions: 
What is Jewish mysticism?
How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?
In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?
What do you think of when you think of God?
What is the purpose of the Jewish people?
How does prayer work?
What is the goal of Torah study?
Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?
Should Judaism be hard or easy?
Why did God create the world? 
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? 
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?
What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?