Special Selection
Apples from the Orchard:
Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria
– the Arizal, on the Weekly Torah Portion
Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky
1070 Pages!
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534 – 1572), known as the “Arizal,” is
the central figure of Kabbalah as it is studied today. The vast corpus of his
teachings revolutionized the study of Kabbalah and is the basis for all
Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought since his time, as well as the prism through
which we view today all the prior works of Kabbalah – including the Zohar. The
Arizal’s thought has had an indelible influence on Jewish philosophy, liturgy,
and even Jewish Law.
Among the most fascinating of the Arizal’s teachings are his
expositions on the Torah itself. Using the classic methods of rabbinic
interpretation (with a marked emphasis on gematria, the numberical values of
words), the Arizal unfolds before us a hidden dimension of the stories and laws
of the Torah, showing how they reflect the inner dynamics of reality and how our
knowledge and observance of the Torah is crucial to the proper functioning of
creation.
In this book, the reader is offered a selection of these
teachings. They are presented with interpolated explanations that clarify the
original text’s terse prose and commentary that shows how these sometimes
abstruse teachings can be applied to everyday life.
Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky studied science and music at UCLA and USC,
and Torah at yeshivas in Los Angeles, Kefar Chabad, and Tzefat. He is one of the
founders of Ascent Institute of Tzefat and has translated and edited a number of
works in the field of Jewish mysticism. He is presently continuing his studies
in Jerusalem, where he lives with his family.
Book Review
B”H
Readingsof Light – but not light reading
There is no dearth of English-language “beginner” books on Kabbalah today,
thanks in part to the recent popularization of the ancient trove of Jewish
mysticism. But most of these books are penned by authors either of the
“academic” persuasion, whose knowledge of the field is antiseptic at best, or of
the “occult” school, who see Kabbalah as a Jewish version of arcane “wisdoms”
such as theosophy, alchemy, tarot cards, or whatnot. The rest, although faithful
to Jewish tradition and therefore authentic and authoritative, are geared by and
large for the beginner. Only a few are suitable for the student or reader who
has passed the beginning stage and wants to sink his teeth into something more
delectable.
Enter Apples from the Orchard – Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria – the Arizal – on the Weekly Torah Portion, a selection
of original texts from the writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital, chief disciple of the
Arizal, superbly translated by Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky.
Each selection begins with the Biblical verses on which the texts are based,
provided in vocalized Hebrew followed by a very readable English translation.
The Hebrew text selected from the various published works of the Arizal’s
teachings is then quoted, together with an English translation, followed by an
original commentary elucidating the texts, written for those who have at least a
minimal background in Jewish mystical teachings (Kabbalah). Rabbi Wisnefsky
provides detailed explanations, often citing and referencing the views of the
Talmud, Midrash, Rashi and other commentators to clarify the difficulties in the
verse upon which the Arizal expounds.
One of the greatest challenges in presenting such Jewish mystical writings
for consumption by those who are not steeped in the metaphors and methods of
Kabbalistic exegesis is finding reference points in the contemporary mindset and
experience to which the average intelligent individual can relate. It seems to
me that this book has done a marvelous job in this respect.
Another prodigious hurdle to those who are not native Hebrew speakers is that
Kabbalistic works in general, and the Arizal’s in particular, rely – often
heavily – on nuances, alternative meanings, associations and equivalences
(numerical and others) that can leave the uninitiated totally baffled. In
Apples from the Orchard this difficulty has been overcome supremely well.
The commentary literally spells out the words, pointing out the nuances,
providing the alternative meanings, associations and numerical values and so on.
Another very useful feature of this commentary is the liberal use of tables
to summarize, compare and contrast concepts and couch them in a structural
hierarchy.
The explanations themselves are more folksy than technical, reflecting their
author’s desire to make the commentary accessible rather than academically
rigorous. Accordingly, many of the explanations have been gleaned from
contemporary teachers, rather than from classical commentators.
In all, Apples from the Orchard sheds ample light upon some of the
most abstruse Kabbalistic writings while remaining eminently readable, although
the work is by no means light reading.
But beyond its value as a resource for intermediate students of Kabbalah,
this book stands to make a perhaps greater contribution. I refer to the fresh
perspective on sexuality that emerges from a thorough reading of the text.
Although it is far from being a manual of sexuality, the book does not shy away
from the fact that Lurianic Kabbalah uses the analogy of sexual experience to
illuminate, and indeed enhance our relationship with G-d. In the translator’s
words (taken from the preface):
There is no embarrassment about sexuality here; the subject is treated
frankly and openly, as the integral part of life and our mentality it truly is.
We see in these teachings the awesome power of the misuse of sexual energy as
well as the sublime heights to which holy sexuality can lift us. Yes, it is
easier to follow either the extreme of total denial or the extreme of total
indulgence; it is far more challenging to take the middle path and fuse intense
physicality and intense spirituality. But the rewards of taking the latter path
are far greater, and it is really the only way to navigate the pitfalls endemic
to the extremes. G-d has programmed us with both a strong sexual drive and a
strong spiritual drive, and ignoring one at the expense of the other is simply a
recipe for disaster. On the contrary, each has the capability of enhancing the
other.
It is in this light that I believe the Arizal’s message is of paramount
importance for our generation. Never before have so many of us been so free to
choose any style or variety of sexuality available. We need guidelines better
than those commonly available to us; guidelines that speak to us as mature human
beings capable of making mature choices. The attitude toward sexuality espoused
in these pages answers nobly to this need.
For all these reasons, I highly recommend Apples from the Orchard as a
valuable contribution to the kabbalistic or even general bookshelf.
Rabbi Moshe Miller
Rabbi Miller has taught in Jewish educational institutions in England,
Jerusalem, New Jersey, Detroit, and Chicago, and is currently a contributing
scholar of the Jewish Learning Institute, for whom he has written several
courses. He is the author and translator of numerous scholarly works including
MishnasChabad, Zohar with commentary, and
TomerDevorah, and is a regular contributor to
KabbalahOnline.org.
