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Kabbalah/Kabbalah and teens
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Question
Can a 16 year old guy benefit from the study of Kabbalah?
Hi Sam,
The answer is yes.
Any individual of any age, color, religion, sex, or nationality can learn from the timeless wisdom of Kabbalah. I wish that I had started studying this subject when I was sixteen.
You may hear that Kabbalah should only be studied by Jewish males over forty. This was true among certain Jewish sects before 1500 C.E., but today ANYONE can study Kabbalah. In fact, one of the most famous Kabbalists, Rabbi Isaac Luria, started studying Kabbalah (The Zohar) when he was twenty-two, "About the age of twenty-two years old, he became engrossed in the study of the Zohar, a major work of the Kabbalah that had recently been printed for the first time, and adopted the life of a recluse." So, I will stress again that Kabbalah is not just for Jewish people, and can be studied by people of ALL faiths and denominations. The first proposition in Kabbalah is to practice unity, compassion, and universal love. Kabbalah is truly for everyone!
You may want to start your studies with a very readable book, such as "God Is A Verb" by Rabbi David Cooper (and his next book, "Ecstatic Kabbalah" which is also excellent).
Eventually, my suggestion is to read books by authors such as Moshe Idel, who is a leading voice in Kabbalistic scholarship. His book, "New Perspectives" is one of my favorites. Try to stay away from trendy books on the subject, and read book reviews before making a purchase.
Sam, I wish you all the best and hope you'll be inspired to learn more about Kabbalah - Bob Waxman
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Robert Waxman
Expertise
Please ask any questions that are relevant to Kabbalah or Jewish mysticism. Other topics to inquire about include: science and Kabbalah, parallel universes, reincarnation, after-death states, cosmology, numerology (gematria), hidden meanings of the Bible, the eternal validity of the soul, Plato and Kabbalah, Vedanta and Kabbalah, and the meaning of life according to Kabbalah.
Experience
Author of "Kabbalah Simply Stated" published by Paragon House Publishers and distributed in 12 countries. Other books: "2012: The Meaning and The Message", "Seven Fundamental Propositions of Esoteric Philosphy" and "The Power of AWE!". Studied Kabbalah with Rabbi Azriel Abraham of Jerusalem and have been teaching since 1999.
Classes include: Kabbalah According To The Scholars, (Scholem, Kaplan, Tishby & Idel), Comparative Spirituality, Latest Research on the Near Death Experience (NDE), and The Future of Religion, Science, and Consciousness. Thousands have attended these classes over the years. Additionally, on-going classes are given all year round along with guest speaking presentations at a wide variety of religious and philosophical organizations.
Organizations
President of The Open Center.
Publications
(3) Books, many original articles that can be found on the internet (ezine, netterweb, searchwarp, etc.) "Beyond Madonna - Kabbalah according to the Great Scholars" and "Beyond The Da Vinci Code".
Education/Credentials
Completion of Ph.D in 2012 from Saybrook University (Human Sciences); Master's Degree from Skidmore College with concentration in Comparative Religion; (2) B.A.'s from The American University. Additional courses in Philosophy at Columbia University and New York University.
Awards and Honors
Many certificates of appreciation and recognition from various organizations.
Past/Present Clients
Longboat Key Education Center, The Center For Positive Living, synogogues, interfaith centers, and religious & philosophical organizations.
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