Category Archives: Kabbalah & Mysticism

Do Angels Have Free Will?

‘Abraham and the Three Angels’ by James Tissot

This week’s parasha, Vayera, begins with Abraham’s famous encounter with three angels (Genesis 18). Abraham gives them water to wash their feet and proceeds to feed them a multi-course meal. There brings up a classic question: did the angels actually eat? Are angels not entirely spiritual beings? How could they have their feet washed, and physically consume Abraham’s food? Are angels biological beings, or not? And, relatedly, do angels have any kind of free will, or are they simply “robotic” agents of God?

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Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them in the Torah, Part 2

In Part 2, we explore the origins, symbolism and significance of the phoenix, mermaids, and other hybrids like centaurs, satyrs, and werewolves, as well as vampires and golems. Also, an in-depth exploration of witchcraft and wizardry, the qualifications for being elected to the ancient Sanhedrin, and what does Frankenstein’s monster have to do with the Golem of Prague?

Mysteries of 37

What is the significance of the number 37 in Tanakh and holy texts from around the world, as well as in nature and the universe at large? Where does 37 appear in the Torah and in Kabbalah, in biology and the sciences, and in the lives of history’s greatest people? Find out in this eye-opening class where we also explore resurrection and immortality; DNA, mitochondria and aging; the two messiahs and the “lonely man of faith”, and many other cosmic mysteries.