In this sequel, we explore the higher levels of the soul, Chaya and Yechida, and what a person can do to attain and access them. Also, what is the difference between a Jewish soul and a non-Jewish soul? What was the difference between Enoch’s transfiguration into an angel and Elijah’s transfiguration into an angel? Plus, the Zohar’s surprising views on Christians and Muslims, and the first and most important 14 mitzvot in the Torah.
For Part 1, see here.
In this class, we re-examine the ancient Star of Jacob prophecy and analyze where we currently stand in the “End of Days” and the messianic process. What might unfold in the coming months and years? What role might AI play in the Final Redemption? Can a global blackout happen soon? And what can we do to hasten the return to the Garden of Eden? Also: What is the prophecy of the “unsheathing” of the Sun? What happened when Adam separated from Eve for 130 years? And why did the Sages tie the sound of the shofar to the cries of Sisera’s mother?
*This class was delivered on July 31, 2025 at the Sephardic Kehila Centre in Toronto, the final class there after two years of biweekly sessions.*
Yesterday marked the start of the new month of Nisan, first of the Jewish calendar. According to our ancient mystical texts, like Sefer Yetzirah, each of the twelve months of the Jewish year corresponds to one of the twelve Zodiac constellations (mazalot). The month of Nisan corresponds to Aries, or tal’e in Hebrew. Aries is depicted as a sheep or ram and, of course, the highlight of Nisan is the holiday of Pesach, referring to the korban pesach, the “paschal lamb”—a sheep!
The Ram-headed idol Ra
Our Sages pointed out that God specifically commanded this species to be sacrificed because it was what the Egyptians worshipped at the time. This is likely referring to the ram-headed deity Ra. Amazingly, Ra is actually mentioned in the Torah when Pharaoh tells Moses that Ra neged pneichem (Exodus 10:10), typically translated as “evil [ra] will be before you”. Rashi comments here that Ra is an Egyptian idol and Pharaoh was warning the Israelites that they would perish under the wrath of his god Ra. Of course, the entire Exodus narrative was about showing God’s mastery over all aspects of Creation, and His destruction of Egypt’s false idols, Ra chief among them.
In astrology, Aries is a “fire” sign, which is quite appropriate for the Exodus connection. The fire alludes to the fire of the sacrificial altar for the korban pesach, as well as the pillar of fire that led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Wilderness. Furthermore, at the Pesach seder, the Haggadah reminds us to say “blood, and fire, and columns of smoke”, dam v’esh v’timrot ashan, in memory of the Ten Plagues and the Exodus. (Actually, this phrase originally comes from Joel 3:3, straight from the prophet’s vision of the End of Days!) Continue reading