RUCHOT

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Notes on the Sefer “Dangers to the Soul”

Dangers to the Soul, by Rabbi Avraham Chachamovits, is a profound exploration of the spiritual hazards individuals may encounter in life. Rabbi Chachamovits, a respected international kabbalist and Jewish thought educator, addresses various aspects of modern life and their potential impacts on the soul. His teachings emphasize the importance of mindfulness, ethical behavior, and maintaining a strong connection to the spiritual principles of the Torah in navigating these dangers.

The singular book delves into topics such as materialism, moral relativism, distractions from spiritual growth, and the importance of cultivating virtues like humility and compassion. These are all matters of righteousness that the Torah teaches. This revelatory book explores the role of demons, spirits, naked souls, and other evil spiritual entities that are constantly trying to bring humanity to the lowest possible levels of existence, by creating havoc and destruction for all. This singular book serves as a guide to help individuals recognize and overcome obstacles threatening their spiritual well-being, drawing from Jewish wisdom of the Torah and Kabbalah to provide profound insights and practical advice.

Rabbi Chachamovits‘ approach is known for its clarity, depth, and relevance to contemporary challenges faced by people striving to live meaningful and spiritually fulfilling lives. His work encourages readers to reflect on their values, priorities, and choices, offering guidance on how to align their actions with their spiritual aspirations.

Themes and Ideas in the Book

  1. Anatomy of the soul: The book is structured into multiple volumes, each offering deep insights into the anatomy of the soul and the various dangers it encounters while incarnated in the body. Rabbi Chachamovits provides new perspectives on Torah and Kabbalah, aiming to elevate the consciousness of readers and help them avoid falling prey to negative forces.
  2. Volumes’ structure: Volume 1 introduces the foundational concepts, exploring the nature of the soul and the spiritual perils it faces. Volume 2 continues this exploration, delving deeper into related subjects and offering further guidance on safeguarding one’s spiritual well-being. Volume 3 continues with guidance against the dangers of the soul while incarnated in the body and many chidushim/novel insights into Torah. Volume 4 contains the previous 3 volumes plus 170 new pages. with profound and mystical insights, and over 1,000 gematriot, this major work is a must for every person seeking to walk the righteous path of the Torah.
  3. Kabbalistic methods: Rabbi Chachamovits is well-known for his usage of kabbalistic methods to derive the esoteric substratum and deeper spiritual meaning of the words of the Torah. These are the Temurah, Gematria, and Notarikon methods. Temurah changes letters in certain words to create a new meaning for them. Gematria assigns a numerical value to a name, word, or phrase by reading it as a number, or sometimes by using an alphanumerical cipher. Rabbi Chachamovits uses tens of gematria types to decode the Torah. And Notarikon is also a Kabbalistic method of deriving a word, by using each of its initial (reshei tevot‎), middle (tochei tevot), or final letters (sofei tevot‎) to stand for another, to form a sentence or idea out of the words and derive spiritual meaning, since the letter forms signify the spiritual essence of a pasuk/verse of the Torah. These letters can also form words, revealing other levels of meaning to the verses.
  4. New insights: As it is part of Rabbi Chachamovits‘ profound analysis of the Torah portions, this book brings innovative and fascinating aspects never before revealed in the Torah. He also brings ancient Torah sources and references never before translated into English. A must-read book!

More on “Dangers to the Soul“

  1. Profound Spiritual Insight:
    • Rabbi Avraham Chachamovits is one of the only living kabbalists bringing new and profound insights into the Torah. This is an extraordinary aspect of his elevated soul revealed in his works.
    • Rabbi Chachamovits’s integration of Torah principles with Kabbalistic teachings has been widely lauded for its depth and spiritual richness. Readers seeking a profound understanding of the soul and spiritual growth find the book deeply impactful.
  2. Relevance to Modern Challenges:
    • The book addresses pressing issues such as the effects of digital technology, media consumption, and moral relativism on the soul. Many appreciate its practical relevance, particularly in helping individuals navigate these challenges with a Torah-based perspective.
  3. Encouragement of Teshuvah (Repentance):
    • The strong emphasis on teshuvah and self-improvement resonates with readers looking for actionable steps to strengthen their relationship with G-d. Its call for introspection and accountability has been transformative for many.
  4. Practical Guidance for Spiritual Protection:
    • The book offers clear advice on how to guard against spiritual harm through Torah study, prayer, and careful selection of influences. This has been particularly appreciated by readers seeking a roadmap for navigating a morally ambiguous world.
  5. Clarity of Purpose:
    • Rabbi Chachamovits’s unwavering commitment to Torah and Jewish identity is seen as a refreshing and bold stance in an era of compromise. Many readers value the clarity and conviction of his message.

Overall Impact

  • The book has been particularly influential in Orthodox Jewish communities and among Ba’alei Teshuvah (those returning to Torah observance), where its message of spiritual vigilance resonates deeply.
  • While it polarizes some readers due to its intense tone and conservative approach, others find its unflinching critique of modernity and its practical spiritual guidance to be utterly invaluable.

In Summary:

  • “Dangers to the Soul” by Rabbi Avraham Chachamovits is a comprehensive work that delves into the spiritual challenges individuals face, particularly focusing on the influences of the sitra achra (the “other side” or forces of evil) and the threats posed by shedim/demons and ruchot/spirits, etc.
  • This work is highly recommended for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of Kabbalistic perspectives on spiritual dangers and the means to protect the soul from negative influences.

For a deeper understanding of its themes and teachings, acquiring the book or engaging with Rabbi Chachamovits‘ shiurim/lessons would be highly beneficial.

To acquire this book, click here.

For the Kabbalah shiurim page, click here.

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HOW SEVERE IS THE SIN OF MISHKAV ZACHUR (HOMOSSEXUALISM)?

It is written regarding the creation of Adam and Chava: Vayeva­rech otam vayikra et shemam Adam, “He blessed them, and called their name Adam [man]” (Bereshit 5:2). Torah is very clear to reveal that G-d called them ‘both’Adam. In this way, He established that the spiritual nature of a human being is only completed in the world through the union of the ‘two distinct human aspects’, to wit, the masculine (corresponding to the active spiritual force and of expansion), and the feminine (corresponding to the passive spiritual force and of restriction). These spiritual forces embodied in the human being – and that exhibit such opposing functions – when united in the sanctified manner, form a ‘well balanced physical-spiritual pair’. This means a single being mirroring his origen in one common soul before its descent to this world and division into sexes. In fact, through this balance, flow all Divine blessings to the couple; and the whole world benefits from this most pleasing of unions in Shamayin. And as it is written, “When a couple lives in accordance to Torah law, the forces of Creation – the letters Yud and Hei from the holy Tetragram – reside with them. Then, in time, they become the image of the holy forces of Creation” (Tikunei Zohar, Tikun 10b). And it is also written that, “Who is incomplete below [i.e., not married] remains incomplete on high [i.e., spiritually]… And Ya’acov [the perfect patriarch]…alo, until his marriage was not complete” (Zohar 150a, Vayetze).

Now, our Sages, all of blessed memory, have openly cautioned us: Kedoshim tihiyu hevu persuhim min ha-arayot u-min ha-evera, “Distance yourself from the illicit relations and from sin” (Rashi at the beginning of Parashat Kedoshim). And “of all isurei ha’arayot, only regarding the avon [sin] of Mishkav Zachur the Torah uses twice the word Toeva [Vayikra 18:22]. The Talmud explains that Toeva is Toe Hu Ba, which means that ‘he is making a mistake in this’… That is, ‘this’ is against human nature! It is the type of avon that exists only to challenge G-d. It is something that comes from the anger which feeds this abominable rebelliousness” (R’ Moshe Feinstein, Teshuvah, Chelek 4 siman 115). And the Torah is also quite clear regarding the grave punishments of these forbidden unions, including that which occurs to the person committing these transgressions after he dies. The mekubal, HaRav Yehudah Fatiyah, the greatest student of the Ben Ish Hai, in his Sefer Minchat Yehudah describes his many conversations with tormented ruchot (spirits) which commited these abominations in life. They relate with terror the severity of their spiritual punishments! After all, not only from this transgression’s zera levatalah the sitra achra gets nourished and demoniacal beings are brought to life, but also each drop of semen spilled in vain implicates on the destruction of potential (unborn) children, which become imprisoned in the clutches of the klipot. Moreover, the ejaculated semen in a domain ‘absolutely improper’ deflowers these poor souls in a most perverse and horrible manner! Contrary to an union between man and wife which fulfills the mitzvah of procreation and gives the fruits of children (G-d willing), if oral sex occurs in this sin, chaz v’shalom, then the only thing fulfilled are the spiritual deaths of the children which are as if “swallowed” in this most merciless abomination! Yet, regarding these rebellious ones, all members of the Erev Rav, it is written: “They all alike have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds… a wolf… shall destroy them… because their transgressions are many, and their apostasies are great” (Yermiyahu 5:5-6). Additionally: “The wicked with their sins pollute both themselves and the Sanctuary [i.e., they contaminate the earth], and bring a ruach rah [an unclean spirit] upon themselves; but in time to come G-d will purify Israel and remove from them the unclean spirit” (Zohar 54a, Metzora). This ruach rah is the wicked Nebuchanetser, “who was deprived of his kingdom and he dwelt with the beasts of the field, his human countenance was taken away from him and from that day he did not bear the impress of a man” (Zohar 125b, Mishpatim) – and was only to bear the image of a wolf! And as it is known, “Nebuchanetser used to tear the flesh of a live rabbit and eat it” (Eicha Rabah 2:14), and Kabbalah says that, “He who has homosexual relations is reincarnated as a rabbit” (the Ari”zal, Sha’ar HaGilgulim, Hakdamah 22, end).

Each and everyone who is involved in this most grievous of sins must use all of his kochot ha-nefesh (spiritual forces) to do teshuvah and implore Hashem’s mercy.