Kabbalah and Hasidism

How to Acquire the Right Mental State for Prayer

The pursuit of proper kavanah, the Hebrew term for directed attention, has long concerned Jewish thinkers.

Chabad Messianism

Messianism in Chabad-Lubavitch challenges Jews of all denominations to consider the limits of Jewish theology.

The Tzaddik, or Rebbe

A Hasidic spiritual leader believed to maintain a channel to God.

Shneur Zalman of Liady

Founder of the Chabad school of Hasidism.

Who Was Rav Nachman of Breslov?

Famous for his sayings, stories and charisma, this Hasidic leader inspired a movement that is still vibrant today.

The Theology of Chabad

The problem of divine withdrawal inspires an alternate view of the universe.

Abraham Abulafia & Ecstatic Kabbalah

One strand of medieval kabbalah focused on achieving a transformative mystical experience.

Kabbalah and Hasidism

The Hasidic movement of the 18th century embraced the mystical texts from an earlier era.

The Mystics of Safed

Joseph Caro and Moses Cordovero, icons of Safed mysticism, elaborated on the teachings of the Zohar.

God’s Withdrawal

Isaac Luria's theory of creation.