Yehuda Ashlag: Encyclopedia II - Yehuda Ashlag - Teachings

Yehuda Ashlag - Teachings

Ashlag’s commentary offered a systematic interpretation of the legacy of Isaac Luria. This was the first since the 18th century when the Baal Shem Tov, Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal), the Vilna Gaon and Sar Shalom Sharabi (the Rashash) offered their interpretation of Luria’s teaching. Ashlag’s system focused on the transformation of human consciousness from a state of desiring to receive, to desiring to give. This path of transformation is described in Lurianic kabbalah.

Through intensive study of Kabbalah, the mind itself opens to God’s light, and the desire to give to others is developed. Ashlag believed that the coming of the Jewish Messiah meant that humans would give up their selfishness and devote themselves to loving each other. Ashlag had strong political opinions, believing in a voluntary faith-based communism. Ashlag was anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist, though he also opposed communism instituted by force. Ashlag tried to convince Ben-Gurion to adopt socialism in Israel.

Ashlag saw himself as fulfilling a quasi-messianic role in bringing kabbalah to the world. His main disciples included his sons, Baruch Shalom, Shlomo Benyamin, and Rabbi Yehuda Brandwein. Rabbi Baruch (d.1990), and Rabbi Brandwein, (d.1969) both left dynamic students who are involved in spreading Ashlagian kabbalah. Brandwein’s son-in-law, Rabbi Avraham Sheinberger, founded a commune in Israel called Or Ganuz ("The Hidden Light"), which combines Ashlag’s communal ideals with devotion to the spread of kabbalah.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Teachings", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki