18 Questions, 40 Mystics

In this conversation, Rabbi Yaakov Klein argues that halacha [Jewish Law] and mysticism are two sides of the same coin. He stresses the importance of understanding the interplay between the two, as the purpose of Judaism is striving to unite both the “body” and “soul” of the Torah. 

Rabbi Klein lives in London and is the director of Eilecha, an organization focused on creating opportunities for spiritual growth and experiential education. He is the author of The Story of Our Lives, Sunlight of Redemption, and Sparks From Berditchov. 

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including how Torah is the soul of God, Jewish particularism serves a universal purpose, and how personal identity informs the way you view the world. 

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?

Rabbi Shmuel Ozhekh first encountered Jewish mysticism as a teenager at an outreach camp, where a class on angels sparked a sense of purpose and opened a lifelong spiritual path for him. In this conversation he stresses that Jewish mysticism is for everyone – not only for the religiously observant – and that accessing these teachings can enhance one’s inner life, relationships, and sense of purpose.

Originally from Australia, Rabbi Ozhekh is the rabbi of the Ohr Somayach community in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the founder of the Rejewvenate Young Professional outreach movement and co-creator of EDEN, the first Jewish meditation app of its kind. 

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including viewing prayer as a point of connection and how misperception is a hindrance to living a more spiritual life. 

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?

Ricka Razel did not grow up religious; she grew up a musician in a famous Israeli family band. Nowadays, she still sings, though she is an observant mother of eight. Jewish mysticism has been the bridge between music and religiosity, revealing to her the hidden workings of the world. 

Ricka Razel is a mother, musician, restaurateur, and a mystic. She performs for female audiences in Israel, and her music can be found on various streaming platforms.

Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including how gratitude can improve our existence, the role of men and women, and the difference between happiness and simcha.

For Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor, mysticism is fundamentally the “direct experience of divine reality.” His profound engagement with Jewish mysticism, he shares, was initially sparked by a series of personal “enlightened experiences,” transformative moments that prompted him to delve deeply into the rich heritage of Jewish mystical traditions.

Rabbi Sendor is the rabbi emeritus at Young Israel of Sharon, MA and the director of Tal Orot, the center for Jewish contemplative practices. A distinguished scholar, he received his doctorate in medieval Jewish history from Harvard University.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including how prayer is indicative of our closeness with God, the flexibility of human will, and the dangers of a mystic becoming self-absorbed. 

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?

Rabbi Shmuel Braun draws an important distinction between the terms mysticism and Pnimiyut HaTorah [inner dimensions of Torah]. While mysticism is about having an experience of the divine that is not part of the rational world, Pnimiyut HaTorah is about experiencing God in our regular, mundane lives. 

Rabbi Shmuel Braun is a teacher, lecturer, and mentor. He studied for many years at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and at the Brisk Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is the founding rabbi of Congregation Lev Le’Daas in Teaneck, New Jersey. 

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the importance of being fully present in spiritual experiences and the limited nature of free 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?