Synopsis
Origins of Consciousness Volume One and Two include the complete English translation of the Hebrew Volumes One and Two of Rav Ashlag's study of the Ten Luminous Emanations, as well as commentary and explanation by Rav Michael Berg. For over two decades, Rav Michael Berg has explained in depth this study that represents, the most powerful Kabbalistic teachings, on the Origins of Creation and our physical world and the purpose of life.
Volume Two develops the concepts found in Volume One in greater depth and continues to discuss the chronology of the next steps in Creation.
It discusses the stages that formed the Creation of the Worlds, making a distinction between two types of Vessels: the Circular Vessel of the Endless World before Tzimtzum (the Contraction); and the Linear Vessel after the Tzimtzum.
Contraction essentially means the Light withdrew. And after the Light withdrew, there was an introduction of Light that was channeled through a Straight Line (Kav). Within the Light of the Line there is a structure called the Sefirot of the Line. The Straight Line indicates being on a straight path. Meaning the importance of being precise, of not veering right or left. Justice is the governing force in the system of the Line. This is the realm of Tikkun and it is where we do our spiritual work.
What Rav Michael Berg makes clear in his commentary in Volume Two is that it is the Desire to Receive that draws the Light down, and it is the Desire to Share or the resistance of that receiving, that returns the Light back up. It is a drawing down of Light via desire, and a reflection of the Light, a pushing back, through a total effort, a total sharing, only for the sake of the Creator, for the sake of others that creates the Line. This is why the Line represents our entire spiritual work, which is developing a Desire to Receive for the Sake of Sharing. A Vessel can only become full of Light through the process of Receiving for the Sake of Sharing.
It is important to note that Volume Two emphasizes the understanding that every Sefirah (Emanation) includes within it all Ten Sefirot, ad infinitum. This interconnectedness teaches us something extremely valuable about our world and our life. Every single one of us is interconnected, and in every single aspect of our life, we have the energy of the Ten Sefirot-in business, in relationships, in our health. When studying the Origins of Consciousness Volume Two, we are not learning abstract ideas but drawing down energy into every single part of our life, and that every single part is included in everything.
About the Authors
Rav Yehuda Ashlag was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1884. From early childhood, he demonstrated remarkable ability, originality, and dedication in the study of the Talmud, the Zohar, and other sacred texts.In his 30s, Rav Ashlag met a Warsaw merchant, a great kabbalist who became his teacher. Their relationship ended when, as Rav Ashlag admitted, "My arrogance caused a separation between us," and the teacher disappeared. They later reunited, and after much pleading, the teacher revealed an important kabbalistic secret to Rav Ashlag, then died the next day. The teacher's identity and the secret have remained unknown.After his teacher's death, Rav Ashlag moved to what is now Israel, where he transformed Kabbalah from a secret wisdom into a widely accessible body of teachings aimed at revolutionizing the world. Drawing on the Zohar, he predicted that 1995 would mark a turning point toward a mass movement for Kabbalah and spiritual transformation. Rav Ashlag wrote and published two major works: "Talmud Eser Sefirot" ("Study of the Ten Luminous Emanations") and his "Sulam Commentary on the Zohar," completed over ten years (1943-1953). This monumental work earned him the title Ba'al HaSulam (Master of the Ladder). The Sulam includes a translation of the Zohar from Aramaic to Hebrew, with detailed commentary and interpretation.In addition to his writings, Rav Ashlag founded The Kabbalah Centre in Israel in 1922. He was the teacher and spiritual master of Rav Yehuda Brandwein, who succeeded him as leader of The Kabbalah Centre upon Rav Ashlag's passing in 1956. In 1969, Rav Brandwein passed the leadership to his student Rav Berg. Rav Ashlag had foretold that one of his students would bring Kabbalah to the world. Under Rav Berg and Karen Berg, The Kabbalah Centre became an international spiritual movement with millions of publications sold and tens of thousands of students worldwide.Rav Ashlag was the first kabbalist to make the Zohar and the wisdom of Kabbalah accessible to everyone. His legacy continues to guide us toward personal and global transformation.
Rav Michael Berg is co-director of the Kabbalah Centre International and a distinguished kabbalistic scholar and teacher. He was born into a kabbalistic tradition as the son of the Rav and Karen Berg, the founders of The Kabbalah Centre. Raised within a lineage that dates back more than 100 years, Rav Michael Berg steeped himself in the wisdom of the Zohar from a young age. He became adept at combing through ancient materials and distilling complex information into elegant thought and language. He was the first person to translate the entire 23-volume Zohar and commentary from ancient Aramaic into English, beginning this monumental task when he was only 18 years old and completing it ten years later. He also completed the translation of the Tikunei HaZohar ("Corrections of the Zohar") Volume III from Aramaic into Modern Hebrew. Under his supervision, the Kabbalah Centre has increased the distribution of Zohars to millions of people in need across the globe. His compendium of works includes the translation and editing of some of Rav Ashlag's fundamental texts: The Wisdom of Truth, And You Shall Choose Life, On World Peace, and The Thought of Creation. Rav Ashlag is the founder Yeshivat Kol Yehuda, the forerunner of The Kabbalah Centre, and the author of the Sulam ("The Ladder") and Talmud Eser Sefirot ("Ten Luminous Emanations,") both central texts in the study of Kabbalah. Rav Michael Berg penned the first book under the Kabbalah Centre Publishing imprint: The Secret, in addition to, Becoming Like God, Secrets of the Zohar, and Secrets of the Bible. His book The Way (Wiley) became a national bestseller. Born in Israel, he studied at The Rabbinical Seminary of America in New York City, and at Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah, following which he earned his rabbinical ordination. Along with his wife, Monica, he co-hosts the Spiritually Hungry podcast, exploring life's big questions offering spiritual guidance in contemporary terms. He also directs Kabbalah.com, the Kabbalah Centre's online learning platform, which provides kabbalistic wisdom through written and video content in multiple languages. His teachings bring new insights to this ancient wisdom, reaching thousands weekly on Kabbalah.com. He resides in New York with his wife Monica and their four children, David, Joshua, Miriam, and Abigail.
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