Safe Kabbalah
Rabbi Heschel Greenberg’s guided introduction to the inner, mystical dimension of the Torah: the three volumes of Safe Kabbalah, free to read online, with his video classes and podcast episodes on Kabbalah.
Is it safe to study Kabbalah?
Rabbi Greenberg takes up this question in Safe Kabbalah, Part One: Opening the Gates, the first of the three volumes. Jewish mysticism, he writes, is a treasure the soul is looking for:
Jewish mysticism is the hidden treasure that we have in our own back yards. To be sure, all of Judaism is a treasure, but the ultimate expression of the soul-satisfying dimension of Judaism is in the mystical tradition, which, when accessed properly, is the means to reach the higher dimensions of existence where the soul wants to be. Jewish mysticism is the safe way to facilitate the soul's quest.
But it has to be approached the right way:
Mysticism is, in and of itself, innocuous. However, the more advanced mystical pursuits can indeed be dangerous.
Kabbalah, however, is unique. It must be received from a higher source; otherwise, it can be easily corrupted and rendered harmful.
What keeps Jewish mysticism safe, he explains, is how it has been handed down:
This last factor, entrusting Jewish mysticism exclusively to those whose behavior is beyond reproach, guaranteed not only that the knowledge would not be corrupted, but meant that Jewish mysticism would always go hand in hand with Jewish observance and Talmudic scholarship.
Kabbalah and Chassidus
In another essay he sets the teachings of Chassidus apart from mystical teachings in general:
…Chassidus represents the part of Torah that focuses on, mines and elicits the positive in ourselves and in others. Chassidus is the part of Torah that digs into the deepest recesses of our soul, where no negativity can exist.
More in Chassidus: classes, essays and the Rebbe’s ma’amarim.
Books
Video classes
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19:30 Essays
Safe Kabbalah, Part One: Opening the Gates
- Safe Kabbalah – Dangers and Distortions
- Safe Kabbalah – Our Essence Revealed
- Safe Kabbalah – Preparing Us for the Future
- Safe Kabbalah – The Hidden Treasure
- Safe Kabbalah – The Uniqueness of Jewish Mysticism
- Safe Kabbalah – Transcendence
- Safe Kabbalah – Why Was It Kept Secret?
- Safe Kabbalah – Why Was It Revealed
Safe Kabbalah, Part Three: Journeys of the Soul
- Safe Kabbalah – Acting or Teaching?
- Safe Kabbalah – Against Your Will You Live; Against Your Will You Die
- Safe Kabbalah – Divine Ecology: Reincarnation Reincarnation Is Jewish
- Safe Kabbalah – Fundamental Principle of Judaism
- Safe Kabbalah – G-d’s Justice Validated
- Safe Kabbalah – Getting the Body Out of the Soul
- Safe Kabbalah – Heaven and Paradise: Where Is It?
- Safe Kabbalah – Is There a Heaven and a Hell? The Way Jews Know Jewish Theology
- Safe Kabbalah – Journeys of the Soul II
- Safe Kabbalah – Journeys of the Soul
- Safe Kabbalah – Knowing Your Mission
- Safe Kabbalah – Mitzvot: An Artform
- Safe Kabbalah – Moshiach: Purpose of Creation
- Safe Kabbalah – Multiple Incarnations and Resurrection
- Safe Kabbalah – Nature of the Soul
- Safe Kabbalah – Obstructions
- Safe Kabbalah – Realizing One’s Full Potential
- Safe Kabbalah – Realizing the Soul’s Potential
- Safe Kabbalah – Resurrection: No Dropouts
- Safe Kabbalah – The King and the Prince
- Safe Kabbalah – The Messianic Age: The Completion of the Palace the Second Goal
- Safe Kabbalah – The Resurrection of the Dead a Jewish Belief
- Safe Kabbalah – Three Distinct Principles
- Safe Kabbalah – Three Donkeys
- Safe Kabbalah – Three Forms of Messianism
- Safe Kabbalah – Why the Descent of the Soul?
Safe Kabbalah, Part Two: The Fourth Dimension
- Safe Kabbalah – Awakening from the Dead-Remez
- Safe Kabbalah – Don’t Withhold – Drush
- Safe Kabbalah – Drush
- Safe Kabbalah – Four Dimension-Pardes
- Safe Kabbalah – Four Dimensions: So What? Conclusion
- Safe Kabbalah – It Sounds Greek to Me
- Safe Kabbalah – Kabbalah: An Integral Part of Torah
- Safe Kabbalah – P’shat
- Safe Kabbalah – Remez
- Safe Kabbalah – The Barriers Removed
- Safe Kabbalah – The Chassidic Contribution
- Safe Kabbalah – The Farmer, Archeologist, Geologist and Treasure Hunter
- Safe Kabbalah – The Fifth Level-The Essence of Torah
- Safe Kabbalah – The Four Faces of Genesis – Sod
- Safe Kabbalah – The Great Thank You- P’shat
- Safe Kabbalah – The Quantum Leap
- Safe Kabbalah – The Secret of Awakening-Sod
- Safe Kabbalah – Torah and Secular Knowledge
- Safe Kabbalah – Torah: G-d’s Revelation on Earth