Tuesdays with Torah | What is Kabbalah?

Tuesdays with Torah | What is Kabbalah?

Join Matt Check, Director of Lifelong Learning, as he delves into the fascinating world of Jewish mysticism. This two-part survey will explore the origins and evolution of Kabbalah, from its early foundations in biblical and rabbinic thought to the emergence of the Zohar in medieval Spain and the revolutionary teachings of Isaac Luria in Safed. We’ll examine how Kabbalah shaped Jewish prayer and practice, including the development of Kabbalat Shabbat, and how it influenced later movements like Hasidism. In the second session, we will explore Kabbalah’s central ideas—Ein Sof, the Sefirot, Tzimtzum, and Tikkun Olam—as well as modern scholarly perspectives, including the work of Gershom Scholem. We’ll also discuss contemporary adaptations, from traditional study to the popularization of Kabbalah in modern culture.