Inside each one of us is an inner kingdom. It is our choice whether we want to uplift it by activating our inherent holiness or not.
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Activating Our Inner Kingdom
The Temple Begins in Our Minds
“Everyone who has Da’as, it is as if he has built the Beis HaMikdash (Temple).” [Tractate Barachos 33/a]
The building of the Beis HaMikdash begins with Da’as – a deep knowledge of the Creator, drawn from building a connection to our inner Godly consciousness.
The more we bind ourselves to the Divine intellect hidden behind the layers of our reality, the more we ourselves leave the world of the emotions, (which can be manipulated) – and allow ourselves to be a vessel for the Godly wisdom to guide our actions.
This “switch” from a me centered world, to one where the Creator’s wisdom drives our approach to the physical realm is a preparatory requirement that must be in place to build the Beis HaMikdash.
We have allowed doubt to penetrate our hearts and in turn this has cut us off from the Da’as held within each of us. Yet, as we reach the final stages of the Geulah Shleima, there is still hope that we can unlock the Godly intellect and awareness held within.
It is for this reason that both the Tzaddik Emes and the Land of Israel are interrelated.
The elevated consciousness found within the Land injects the Nation with the first formulation and concretization of the Da’as Elyon (Supernal Knowledge/Consciousness), but doubt still bites at us, gnawing at our minds. This is why the Tzaddik Emes, who blazed a path to Geulah ahead of us, readies our weapons of prayer and Godly awareness.
He is whispering through his teachings and advice – all we have to do is listen and begin.
(Based on Likutey Moharan 1; Likutey Moharan Tinyana 71 and 72; Ain Ayeh Brachos Page 157 Paragragh 91; Shemoneh Kevatzim Volume 1)
The King Within
Within each of us there is a king ready to conquer our inner Amalek if only we would create the space to allow our Godly root to take control.
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Sotah and the Nazir: Today’s Spiritual War
In Parashat Nasso, we learn of the importance of teshuva (repentance). The Rambam writes that if a person intentionally or unintentionally transgresses any of the mitzvot of the Torah (either a positive command or a prohibition), they are required to verbally confess before H-shem. As found in the book of Bamidbar (Numbers), Chapter 5, verse 6, the phrase לִמְעֹל מַעַל (Lim-ol Ma-al) Ba’H-shem means to act treacherously against H-Shem. In addition, we can interpret those words as trespassing or stealing from H-shem.
How is this possible? According to our sages, when each Jewish child is born, an angel makes them swear that they will be a tzadik (righteous person). So, during a person’s life, every time they commit an aveira (sin), they are breaking the vow and therefore in violation of that oath. We can infer that his/her body does not belong to themselves but to H-shem for the purpose of doing mitzvot. If a Jew commits an aveira, they are therefore obligated to perform teshuva.
One verse discusses how in a similar manner to the thief’s transgression against H-shem, a wife transgresses against her husband. In verse 12, the phrase וּמָעֲלָה בוֹ מָעַל (Uma-ala Vo Ma’al) refers to this. From here, we learn of the sotah, a suspected adulteress who was seen going into seclusion with another man despite a warning. As part of the process to determine if she is guilty of the aveira, the woman (who denies any impropriety) is brought to the Temple and drinks a cup of holy water. If she indeed willingly committed adultery, she explodes. If she is unharmed by the water, she is cleared of any suspicion.
The next verse discusses the nazir, a person that abstains from wine and grape products, allows their hair to grow, and who may not come in contact with a human corpse. The connection between the sotah and the nazir is apparent. Our sages stated that one who saw the sotah explode should become a nazir, even if they were distraught. This witness would have an understanding that the event may have been triggered by overindulgence. By becoming a nazir and taking on the restrictions for 30 days, he created a protection for himself against that possibility. He also took on certain holiness and enhanced his spiritual character.
Since we don’t have the ceremony of the sotah today, one may ask how we can apply the lessons from the Torah. Years ago, the primary cause of the indiscretion may have been wine. Today, there are vastly different influences. While ongoing political and economic wars are relevant, perhaps the most important war is one that is spiritual in nature. The media and entertainment industry have been incredibly successful in polluting culture, destroying souls and discouraging any sort of critical thinking. A morally bankrupt society that glorifies those in the entertainment industry isn’t one that can sustain itself. Although I am still hopeful that this glorification will end, our society at large does not clearly comprehend that they are engaged in this war. For if they were to understand, this war could easily be won. Like the nazir, we can be extra vigilant to protect ourselves against these negative forces and look past what are merely distractions. Instead of pointing fingers at others, we should first point them to ourselves.
Originally posted on News with Chai.
David Dardashti: Mixing the Wisdom of the Ancients with Modern Medicine In Order to Heal
Nestled away in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico is an unusual clinic focusing on opioid addiction, depression, and an assortment of other ailments. The clinic’s founder, David Dardashti is more than just an expert in medicine and healing, he is an ordained rabbi, and a pioneer in mixing ancient Jewish wisdom with modern medical knowhow when treating his patients.
“When someone wants to change themselves they must first connect to the source of Creation. This is really their source and in order to do that they must connect to the Torah and its mystical layers,” David Dardashti says. “When I treat someone or even counsel another person, I first use this ancient knowledge to help me understand the source of their problems. I know that if I can get to the root of the issues and repair their connection to the source, I can ultimately heal and direct them to a more positive direction in life.”
For David Dardashti, the Torah, Talmud, and the Kabbalah form the basis of his treatment approach. Many of his patients think they are only going to a detox center, but they soon find that their treatment does not only involve a set of unconventional components, but the deep spiritual guidance cuts to the souce of their ailment.
“I have been learning the Talmud and Kabbalah the oral and mystical aspects of the Torah for 37 years. They are the spiritual blueprint of Creation. They contain the whole universe with deep insights to how we think and function on both a conscious and subconscious level.”
Dardashti’s idea is simple. Our bodies have within themselves the ability to heal, but as time goes on our minds and bodies become disconnected, burying the natural healing power held within. By triggering the mind with various components such ibogaine, David is able to reach the source of the patient’s challenges and direct him to unlock his potential.
“We never use medicine. Of course we use special components to get the process going and from their we use the wisdom of the Torah to help heal the patient. We know how to treat addictions, diabetes, and depression. We are seeing great results with patients with alzheimers. ” It is this wisdom, pulled from years of learning and willingness to challenge the status quo, which has propelled David to become the leader he has.