18 Questions, 40 Mystics

Rabbi Shmuel Braun draws an important distinction between the terms mysticism and Pnimiyut HaTorah [inner dimensions of Torah]. While mysticism is about having an experience of the divine that is not part of the rational world, Pnimiyut HaTorah is about experiencing God in our regular, mundane lives. 

Rabbi Shmuel Braun is a teacher, lecturer, and mentor. He studied for many years at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and at the Brisk Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is the founding rabbi of Congregation Lev Le’Daas in Teaneck, New Jersey. 

Now, he joins us to answer eigh...

For Gedale Fenster, Jewish Mysticism is not a retreat from reality but the "expanded consciousness" needed to see that “the problem is the solution.”

Gedale Fenster is an internationally renowned motivational speaker, spiritual leader, life coach, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is well known in the field of personal development. His teachings are firmly rooted in spirituality and the belief that problems are truly blessings in disguise. 

Now he sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to discuss eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including how to unpack the transformative power of mysticism for success and how to li...

Victoria Hanna sees tremendous power in riddles. In many ways, she argues, questions are more important than answers. The Israeli musician uses sounds and letters to understand God and the world, believing in the power of the “limitless within the limits.” 

Victoria Hanna is a multidisciplinary singer, artist, and musician. Her first single, “Aleph Bet,” went viral in 2015, garnering over two million views, and her music has been described as kabbalistic rap.

Now, she joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the connection between the Hebrew letters and the parts...

For Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Pill, self-satisfaction is the biggest obstacle to living a more spiritual life. Based on the teaching of the Arizal, Rabbi Isaac ben Solomon Ashkenazi Luria, he argues that a sense of lack is what promotes true spiritual growth.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Pill is a professor at Emory University School of Law, where he earned his SJD. He is also a research scholar at The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. Rabbi Dr. Pill is the co-author of Setting the Table: An Introduction to the Jurisprudence of Rabbi Yechiel Mikhel...

Fally Klein stumbled upon Jewish mysticism almost on her own, as a teenager battling cancer. Now she’s on a journey to fill in the gaps in her knowledge and anchor her natural spiritual inclinations in the deep-rooted, ancient tradition of Jewish law and peoplehood.

Fally Klein is a Jewish educator, licensed hypnotherapist, and breathwork facilitator based in Brooklyn, NY. She is known for an integrated approach that combines Torah-aligned principles with deep emotional and spiritual healing.

Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including finding God in...

For Rabbi Dr. Eli Rubin, in an ideal world all people would be mystics. He argues that if mysticism means connecting to God, then everyone should feel that connection. And through it, everyone should be able to live better, more meaningful lives. 

Rabbi Eli Rubin is the author of Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity as well as a number of articles that have been published in the AJS Review, Jewish Currents, and The Lehrhaus. He is also a contributing editor to Chabad.org and holds a PhD from the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at University C...

It is difficult to navigate the complexities of the world without having inner purpose. For Rabbi Aron Moss, Jewish mysticism provides this crucial depth. He describes God not as a distant figure but as the inner reality of everything and the life force of all beings, enabling a personal and immediate connection to the divine. 

Rabbi Aron Moss is the rabbi of the Nefesh community in Sydney, Australia and is a frequent contributor to Chabad.org. He is the author of Can I Name My Dog Israel? 

Here, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Ra...

For Rabbi Yussie Zakutinsky, Jewish mysticism means reintroducing the soul into the body of the world, turning every action into a gateway for the Infinite, who is closer to us than we are to ourselves.

Rabbi Yussie Zakutinsky is a prominent lecturer and author known for his unique ability to translate lofty spiritual and philosophical concepts into relatable, down-to-earth guidance. He has authored several works on prayer and the cycles of the Jewish year. Currently, he serves as the spiritual leader of the Mevakshei Hashem community in Lawrence, New York. His teachings focus on personal growth, mindfulness, and...

For Faigy Blumstein, mysticism is the secret that reveals the vibrant, colorful layers hidden beneath the surface of a black-and-white world. It is a soulful GPS for navigating life’s darkest challenges, transforming our struggles into a radical partnership with the Divine that allows every individual to become a lamplighter for the world.

Faigy Blumstein is a passionate educator, school psychologist, and self-described “mystic millennial” dedicated to living a Hashem-centered life. Faigy has spent over thirteen years with Olami Manhattan, where she leads the Ignite program and teaches her popular Tanya with Faigy class. Whether she is working with t...

Raised in a home that focused on the soul of Judaism, Rabbi Judah Mischel was immersed in the world of mysticism from a young age. For Rabbi Judah, true connection with God begins with love for other people. 

Rabbi Judah Mischel is the Executive Director of Camp HASC and founder of the educational initiative Tzama Nafshi. He is the author of the Baderech series, and lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Ora and family.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including its unparalleled accessibility, t...

Professor Elliot Wolfson, one of the world’s foremost scholars of Jewish mysticism, has dedicated over forty years to teaching and researching Kabbala and its expressions across Jewish history. He explores how ancient kabbalistic concepts resonate with contemporary philosophical and feminist theory. 

Elliot Wolfson is a professor emeritus of religion at University of California, Santa Barbara. He is renowned for his research in the history of Jewish mysticism, but he has also contributed to the fields of philosophy, literary criticism, feminist theory, and more. 

Now, he sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen ques...

What is taught today as basic science, argues Efraim Palvanov, was taught centuries ago in the Zohar. To Efraim, complex scientific functions such as quantum physics, epigenetics, and wave particle duality go hand in hand with Torah and Jewish mysticism. 

Efraim Palvanov studied biology and chemistry at York University, earned a bachelor of education at University of Toronto, and studied at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. He is head of the science department at Bnei Akiva Schools Toronto, runs two regular blogs as well as a YouTube channel, and is the author of five books.

Now, he s...

Fruma Schapiro’s connection to Jewish mysticism is deeply entrenched in Chabad Hasidism. She has seen the way it can transform lives and nourish souls, and she is particularly drawn to the idea that each and every person has a responsibility to spread a little more light in the world.

Fruma Schapiro is a teacher in California. She teaches Judaic studies at Ohel Chana, a girls’ school in Los Angeles, and she hosts a podcast called Weekly Sichos, which spreads Chasidut [Hasidism] through teachings from the Lubavitcher Rabbi to women around the world.

Now, she sits down...

In this insightful conversation, Rabbi YY Jacobson presents Jewish mysticism as a dynamic framework for consciousness and connection rather than abstract theology. He passionately and clearly illustrates how faith and, ultimately, surrender can redefine how we see ourselves, our pain, and the world around us. 

Before the Lubavitcher Rabbi’s passing, Rabbi Jacobson served as one of his oral scribes. As a close disciple of the Rabbi, he developed a strong foundation in the world of Chassidut [Hasidism] and Jewish mysticism. Now, Rabbi Jacobson is a world-renowned speaker and scholar.

He now joins us to answer eig...

For Rabbanit Oshra Koren, mysticism is the soul and spirit of the Torah that animates the "body" of Jewish law. It is a path of deep longing that wakes the sleeping heart, transforming the way we see ourselves and our capacity to heal the world.

Rabbanit Oshra Koren is the founder and director of Matan HaSharon and the global Matan Mother–Daughter Bat Mitzvah program. A sought after speaker and educator, she leads the Gavna Ensemble and serves as deputy head of the Raanana Religious Council, contributing extensively to communal leadership and women’s Torah study in Israel and...

For Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer, Jewish mysticism teaches us to recognize that nothing in this world is the way it appears to be. Kabbalistic study is a process in deconstructing something we think we understand and rebuilding it. 

Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer has a PhD in Jewish Philosophy and currently teaches at Bar-Ilan University. Previously, Jonnie has served as advisor to the CEO of Taglit-Birthright Israel, led Israel advocacy delegations with StandWithUs, and directed the strategic partnerships of the Israel-Asia Center.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including h...

For Dina Etigson, encountering Jewish Mysticism has been a transformative experience. Beyond the academic and textual Judaism she already knew and loved, she describes the experience as entering “a different dimension,” where spirituality and intellectualism blends. 

Dina Etigson is a teacher and a thinker in Israel.

Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism and discuss the balance of taking and receiving from God, God’s greater goals for the Jewish People’s existence, and how we can reframe our mindsets to better connect with Him.

Here are...

For Dr. Biti Roi, the texts of Jewish mysticism aren’t just ideas to study – they are a life force. A renowned scholar of Zohar, Kabbala, and Chasidut [Hasidism], these texts are the animating energy behind Dr. Roi’s teaching and way of life. 

Dr. Biti Roi is a fellow of the Kogod Research for Center Contemporary Jewish Thought and the academic coordinator and adviser for North American seminars at the Shalom Hartman Institute. She is the author of Love of Shekhina: Mysticism and Poetics in Tiqqunei ha-Zohar. 

Now, she joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rab...

As director of the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism at the National Library of Israel, Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem dedicates much of his time to the study of Jewish mysticism. He believes Jewish mysticism teaches us to listen, uplift, and shape our world as part of our path towards redemption. 

Rabbi Dr. Leshem received his PhD in Jewish Philosophy from Bar-Ilan University and is the author of Redemptions: Contemporary Chassidic Essays on the Parsha and the Festivals. He has previously served as the associate dean and director of overseas programs at Nishmat. 

Now, he jo...

For Devori Nussbaum, Jewish mysticism is the study of the soul behind the psyche, a transformative framework that integrates the profound spiritual truths of Chasidut [Hasidism] with insights of psychotherapy to foster personal healing and divine connection.

Devori is an integrative psychotherapist who has trained in many different healing modalities including body psychotherapy, imago therapy, logotherapy, the energetics of food, quantum touch, breathwork, CBT, NLP, EMDR, IFS, inner child work, and somatic modalities. She is also passionate about teaching Hasidut in a way that is accessible, relevant, and embodied as a description of reality.

Now, she...

Rabbi Simon Jacobson describes his childhood years as being shaped by his nature of being a “skeptic and a seeker.” As he grew older, he began to study other traditions, eventually returning to a deeper study of Hasidic thought, where he found “the music of Judaism.” As he continued his studies, he became a close disciple of the Lubavitcher Rabbi, serving as one of his oral scribes. 

Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the founder of the The Meaningful Life Center, an organization dedicated to sharing the wisdom of the Torah to people of all backgrounds. He is the author of Toward...

When Tamar Elad-Appelbaum thinks of Jewish mysticism, she pictures her Moroccan grandmother standing by the mezuza of her door, praying for her family. For Tamar, connecting to one’s ancestors is key to accessing the great field of Torah. 

Tamar Elad-Appelbaum is the founder and spiritual leader of Kehilat Tzion in Jerusalem. She is also the director of the Rabbanut Yisraelit Network as well as co-director of the Hartman Institute’s Ritual Center. 

Now, she joins us for eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the dynamic relationship between Torah and tefilla [prayer...

For Rabbi Jeremy Tibbetts, Jewish mysticism is all about turning inwards: both individually and religiously. While he did not grow up Orthodox, Rabbi Jeremy was exposed to Hasidic teachings for the first time at eighteen years old and found that there was something “deeply healing” about the Torah. Over the past decade, he has dedicated himself to studying mysticism and has grown fluent in the writings of the Arizal, Rabbi Isaac ben Solomon Ashkenazi Luria, and other mystical thinkers. 

Rabbi Jeremy Tibbetts is the co-director of the JLIC Jerusalem Community alongside his wife, Emily. He studied public health at th...

For Rebbetzin Yehudis Golshevsky, Jewish mysticism is a living tradition, one that influences daily life and decision-making. She emphasizes the importance of loving-kindness and Jewish mysticism’s practical applications. 

Yehudis Golshevsky is the founder and director of SHIVITI, a seminary in Jerusalem that emphasizes Chasidut [Hasidism] and musar classes to Torah-observant women of all ages and backgrounds. She has been a Torah educator for twenty-five years, both in Jerusalem and abroad.

Now, she joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including gender roles in Jewish mystical thinking, the significance of...

To Rabbi Shlomo Katz, the song of Torah is the most natural gateway into Jewish mysticism. A spiritual disciple of Shlomo Carlebach, Rabbi Shlomo believes that our greatest challenge today is that we lack the courage to connect with others and show our love. 

Rabbi Shlomo Katz is the rabbi and spiritual leader of Kehilat Shirat David in Efrat and the head of Machon Zimrat Ha’aretz. He is also an accomplished singer, musician, and educator. 

Today, he sits down with us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including the chal...

Tonia Chazanow believes everyone deserves to have access to Jewish mysticism because it is a tool through which each person can discover and understand the divinity in their own life and help others find theirs.

Tonia Chazanow is a Los Angeles-based writer and poet. Along with teaching weekly Torah classes, she is also the founder and host of the Human and Holy, a podcast that explores Judaism and Chasidut [Hasidism] through the lived experiences of and conversations between a spectrum of Jewish women.

Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions...

Rabbi Daniel Rowe sees Jewish mysticism as a path to deepen one’s relationship with God. He connects Jewish mysticism to the deeper dimensions of the Torah, viewing it as a unifying principle that integrates various aspects of Judaism such as its commandments and stories. 

Formerly the executive director and senior educator at Aish UK, Rabbi Rowe holds a BA in philosophy from University College London and an MPhil from Birkbeck College. He recently moved to Jerusalem to assume the role of senior lecturer at Aish Global.

Rabbi Rowe does not consider himself a great expert in...

For Rabbanit Shoshana Judelman, mysticism is a lens through which one can see through God’s reality and recognize the divine hand in world events and personal growth.

Shoshana Judelman is a passionate educator of Torah and Jewish history. Shoshana serves as the Women’s Mashpia for Congregation Shirat David, is a guide at Yad Vashem and leads inspirational trips for women with JRoots through Europe and Israel.

Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including the power of prayer and the universal applications of Jewish mysticism. 
...

Rabbi David Aaron first encountered Kabbala at the young age of eighteen. Now, kabbalistic thought is a central influence in his life, leading him to strive to see a “ray of godliness” within every person. 

Rabbi David Aaron is the Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta and the author of eight books, including Seeing God and The Secret Life of God. He is also a noted teacher and international speaker. 

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including how human beings are facets of the divine, that Judaism is mea...

As someone who has always been “anti-rational,” Dr. Ora Wiskind finds a world of deeper connection in Jewish mysticism. In particular, she is drawn to the study of Hasidism as a pathway to integrating spirituality into daily life. 

Dr. Ora Wiskind holds a PhD in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is the author of Hasidic Commentary on the Torah, Wisdom of the Heart: The Teachings of Rabbi Ya’akov of Izbica-Radzyn, and Tradition and Fantasy in the Tales of Reb Nahman of Bratslav. She is an associate professor and the head of the Graduate Program...

Professor Moshe Idel has always been curious about what he doesn’t know – it’s what drew him to the world of kabbalistic manuscripts, and ultimately it is what led him to become a philosopher of Jewish mysticism. 

Moshe Idel is professor emeritus of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University and a Senior Research Fellow at Hartman Institute. His PhD focuses on the thirteenth century kabbalist Abraham Abulafia.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the importance of diversity within Jewish life and the true concerns of most Je...

A lifelong seeker of truth, Dr. Chava Green has always been drawn to exploring the complexities of the world. As a college student she explored different areas of thought, eventually learning more about Judaism and strengthening her Jewish identity. In turn, Chava's journey guided her to the rich tradition of Jewish mysticism.

Chava Green is the founder of The Hasidic Feminist Platform. She completed her PhD in religion at Emory University, writing her dissertation on Hasidic feminism. Chava is currently working on a book entitled The Geulah is Female.

Now, she joins us to answer eighteen q...

Rabbi Shais Taub’s study of mysticism began with a deep dive into the book of Tanya. Now, he believes that mysticism serves as a practical guide for everyday life, one founded in spiritual principles. 

Rabbi Shais Taub is a renowned teacher and noted speaker in the field of addiction recovery. He is the author of God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction and the creator of “The Map of Tanya.”

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including how it can revive the Jewish...

What does it mean to live a Judaism that fits into our lives? David Bashevkin explores the meeting point of mysticism and modernity. 

The founder of 18Forty, Rabbi Dr. David Bashevkin is the director of education at NCSY as well as an instructor at Yeshiva University. He is the author of four books, and has been rejected from many prestigious fellowships and awards.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including how to embrace holiness, the purpose of prayer, and the search for meaning in an age o...

Whether through the lens of Tanach or Maimonides, Rabbi Kook or the Zohar, Rabbanit Shani Taragin believes that the layers of the Torah form a unified language of divine intimacy. 
Shani directs and teaches in Israel and worldwide. She currently serves on the advisory committee for the Mizrachi Olami Shalhevet program, as Rosh Beit Midrash for the women in Yeshiva University’s new academic program in Israel, and together with her husband, Reuven, as Educational Director for Mizrachi Olami.
Today, she joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including teshuva and fre...

Rabbi Moshe Gersht first encountered the world of Chassidus at the age of twenty, the beginning of what he terms his “spiritual awakening.” From there, he began to dive deep into Jewish mysticism, viewing it as a unified system that shows that there is meaning to reality. 
Rabbi Moshe Gersht grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He is the author of It’s All The Same To Me and The Three Conditions. He is also a popular speaker and spiritual teacher. 
Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabb...

What does it mean to experience God as lived reality? Mrs. Suri Weingot reframes spirituality not as something hidden or elite but as something pulsing through every blade of grass, every Hebrew letter, and every human relationship.
Mrs. Suri Weingot is a senior educator in TMM High School and gives classes and lectures to women across the community. She runs a community mentoring program that enables women and teens to contribute their time and heart by impacting the lives of the next generation.
At its heart, this is a conversation about love of Torah, of life, and of...

In order to study Kabbala, argues Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, one must approach it with humility, holding one’s hands out in the form of a cup as though they are ready to receive. 
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger has served as mashpia at Yeshiva University since 2013, and he is the founding rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY.
Today, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including the smallness of man, prayer as dialogue, and his transformative introduction to the world of Kabbala.
Here are our questions: 
What...

As a Chabad Hassid, Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of Chassidus and Kabbalah. This upbringing provided him with a unique lens through which he continues to learn, study and connect with others. 
Drawing on his background, Slavin created “Seekers of Unity,” a Youtube channel dedicated to exploring the philosophy and history of mysticism across diverse traditions. He founded this channel with the goal of forming a community focused on creating a more intimate world, together. 
Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Jewish mysticism, including people’s inherent divinity, tapping into the p...

Rabbanit Sarah Yehudit Schneider believes meditation is the entryway to understanding mysticism. She highlights that traditional Kabbala often focuses on mystical realms associated with the masculine, and in her current work she is actively exploring and articulating the Kabbala of the feminine. 
Sarah Yehudit Schneider is the founding director of A Still Small Voice, a correspondence school that provides weekly teachings in Jewish wisdom to subscribers around the world. She is the author of several books, most recently Dark Matters of the Soul: The Kabbala of Shame (2024). 
Here, she joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism wit...