AboutRabbi Ari Shishler Expertise I'm happy to answer questions on Jewish belief, Jewish spirituality & Kabbalah.
Experience Rabbi, lecturer on Talmud and Jewish spirituality at Chabad House, Johannesburg, South Africa 1997-present.
Talmud teacher at local Jewish high school 1996- present.
Organizations Chabad Lubavitch.
Publications Jewish Tradition, South Africa.
Jewish Report, weekly newspaper, South Africa
SAUJS annual Holiday guide.
Education/Credentials Six years of tertiary education at Rabbinical seminaries in South Africa, Israel and New York.
Expert: Rabbi Ari Shishler Date: 2/8/2008 Subject: Challenges of Practicing Kabbalah
Question What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?
Answer Hi Jeanette
Kabbalah is not actually a religion per se. Over the last few years, people have tried to create a religion out of Kabbalah, but genuine Kabbalists will tell you that this is not the real deal.
Kabbalah is the study of Jewish mysticism. It explains the spiritual meaning behind the Jewish religion, so it is inherently part of the Jewish religion.
Kabbalah does offer spiritual insights that are universal, and it may be worthwhile to study those insights. But, when you come across the "religion" side of what Kabbalah teaches, please realize that is actually Judaism.
That would be the greatest challenge to practicing the religion of Kabbalah, it's essentially practicing Judaism. Judaism makes large demands on its adherents; there are many restrictions and many obligations.
As I've mentioned, you may find that there are Kabbalah principles that can help you and bring meaning to your life, but you would not be following a religion through Kabbalah unless you followed the Jewish religion.
