Jewish Mysticism Online Study Group
A weekly class for engaging with Kabbalah and other esoteric wisdom
Jewish mysticism sees Torah study as a pathway to the Infinite
As children or as curious adults, many of us encountered the Bible or other Jewish writings as a set of stories and laws. Also, for many of us, when we began our spiritual journeys in a deeper way, a disconnect grew between our inner lives and the literal meaning of the central texts of Judaism. How can we bridge the stories of Noah, Adam and Eve, or the Israelites in Egypt with feelings of meditative peace, alignment with nature, intuition, or even mystical oneness? Where are the ancestral teachings that meet our experiences of the inner journey?
Kabbalah and Hasidic mysticism are wonderful connectors between our rich inner lives, the writings of wise predecessors, and the call to be a blessing in this world.
This ongoing class is designed to help you connect with Jewish mysticism and the lineage of Torah study. You do not need to know Hebrew or Aramaic to participate but all the texts we learn in class will be shown in Hebrew/Aramaic and English. There will be time for reflection and discussion as we explore experiential and kabbalistic interpretations of the weekly Torah reading, Hebrew Letters, spiritual dimensions and beyond. Every session will be recorded and will be available for viewing.
The texts we draw on are diverse and in the past there has been extra emphasis on early Hasidic masters. These include the Me’or Eynayim: a profoundly psychological and transformational Torah commentary, as well as the Kedushat Levi, the Noam Elimelekh, and a wide variety of other teachers from the first four generations of the Hasidic lineage in the 18th century. We will also read from later teachers like the Sfat Emet and the Netivot Shalom, sometimes delving into the Zohar and modern mystics like Rav Abraham Isaac Kook. This weekly learning is meant to unfold organically and to be a conversation between teacher, student, text, and the Holy One of Blessing.
This ongoing weekly class has space for up to 8 participants.
In the course, students will…
(1) Engage with Torah-based teachings relating to the personal journey of transformation, transcendence, and the cultivation of wisdom.
(2) Be invited into discussion and reflection because each of us, regardless of prior text learning, has wisdom and insight to share.
(3) Join a cohort of like-minded learners exploring Jewish mysticism in an open-minded, open-hearted, and friendly context.
(4) Learn from an experienced teacher who specializes in the translation and embodiment of Jewish mystical writings.
Meet Rabbi Matthew Ponak
I am a teacher of Jewish mysticism, a spiritual counselor, and a tutor of Hebrew and Aramaic. Ordained with honors at the neo-Hasidic Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, I also hold a Master’s degree in Contemplative Religions from Naropa University. I live in Victoria, British Columbia, and am certified as a Focusing Professional to guide others to deeper self-knowledge and healing. My first book, Embodied Kabbalah, is a translation and commentary of 42 mystical texts from throughout the last 1000 years. I am the proud husband of Melina and the proud father of Orion and Sephira, two wonderfully joyful and creative kids.
As a teacher and counselor, I help students of diverse backgrounds tap into their own essential truths. In this ever-evolving information age, where big ideas and advice abound, I take the approach of a spiritual ally: sharing teachings with no-strings-attached and empowering people to be true to who they are.
I deeply value the balance between presenting esoteric teachings in a way that is accessible, while also creating the context for individuals to find their own voice and thrive.
“Matthew has a warm-hearted and friendly approach as a teacher. His classes offer a combination of engaging scholarship, open-mindedness, and spiritual depth. “
~ Emma Forman, Program Associate at the Ruderman Family Foundation
“Matthew’s evolving vision of an evolving Judaism steps beyond the limits of a supposed Jewish essentialism, shatters the imposed conformity of an imagined Jewish continuity, and allows the iconoclastic daring of Jewish creativity to reinvent who is and what it means to be a Jew in the 21st century.“
~ Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Judaism Without Tribalism
“Matthew is a wonderful teacher who makes class accessible to students of all kinds. He injects humor and stories into his teachings to keep everyone engaged, but is able to communicate a powerful message. I highly recommend taking any class that speaks to you!“
~ Kim Varieka, Varieka Personal Training and Yoga
