Rabbi Yossi Peltiel

This final segment of the “Intro to Kabbalah” series introduces the Alter Rebbe, successor of the Baal Shem Tov and founder of the Chabad movement. It describes his revolutionary method of teaching Kabbalistic ideas with a philosophical form, using analogies from the human experience that even a non-mystic could relate to. It elaborates on some of his most significant teachings and how they were developed into a unique mystical movement for the masses.

The Baal Shem Tov’s success as a leader was not in writing books, but in touching souls and igniting within them a fire of passion above diligence and faith above reason.

This episode of Rabbi Paltiel’se series on the development of Kabbalah shifts into describing the founding of the Chassidic movement by the Baal Shem Tov.

It describes how the Baal Shem Tov formed a mass movement based on Kabbalistic form and ideas by communicating the faith, love and lifestyle of the mystic to the common person. It explores some of the drastic shifts Chassidism made in Jewish life and theology and their ramifications.

In this segment of the series “Intro to Kabbalah,” Rabbi Yossi Paltiel examines the life and personality of the Arizal – Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi, father of Lurianic Kabbalah.

The Arizal is the famed student of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, and upon the death of his teacher, he undisputedly filled the position as head of the Kabbalists. Much of the Kabbalah and Chassidut studied today are inspired by the Arizal’s work.

In this enlightening clip, Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, who has dedicated his life to studying and promulgating chassidic teachings, describes this spiritual giant and the many contributions he made, including the novel concept of Tzimtzum – the implementation by G-d to contract His light to allow our world to be born.