Kabbalah is built on the idea that divine love is always present, and that love is the source of all creation. Our task is to be willing to explore the scriptural texts to discover their deepest meanings, which are often hidden beneath the surface. As we grow spiritually, we become ever more adept at seeing that ever present love, and in turn, participating in it.
One of our stops in Safed was the Tzfat Gallery of Mystical Art. There we not only had the chance to view the beautiful art, we also were privileged to hear artist Avraham Lowenthal (pictured above)discuss how his art grows out of his practice of kabbalah.
The work he is explaining in the photograph above is called "Ein Ode Milvado"--"there is nothing but God." In explaining it Avraham notes: "This verse of the Torah is a powerful meditation to remind ourselves of God's presence in every situation . . . . Realizing that eternal goodness is the source of everything we go through is, of course, so difficult. Kabbalah discusses the way of developing this higher awareness."
This afternoon we went to the Golan Heights and after a bumpy jeep ride, experienced a presentation from a former member of the Israeli military about the struggles and battles along the northern border. It was very dramatic, and contextualized by the abandoned military facility where it was told near the border with Syria. It is because of this history, he said, that we must be ever vigilant.
I have little doubt that that need for vigilance is real. I am sure that being aware of potential dangers is necessary. But I am equally as certain that if we are to ever reach a time when such vigilance is no longer needed, it will require us all to grow in awareness of the ever present reality kabbalists like Avraham Lowenthal call divine love.
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