Rabbi David Aaron – Spiritual Success Seminar

Spiritual Success

This in-depth seminar was given at the Isralight Inward Bound summer program in 2006. In the series, Rabbi Aaron lays out the goals of Jewish living, then expands upon them through down-to-earth studies of the two kabbalistic sefirot of Keter (crown) and Chochma (wisdom).


Spiritual Success 1 – The Goals

“How does Judaism help me to be successful in life?” With this question, Rabbi Aaron begins the series through elucidating the main goal of Jewish living: to bond with the Divine. He then introduces the Ten Sefirot and the process of becoming aware of the bond that we already have.

Spiritual Success 2a – Knowing

“You know G-d, but you just don’t know that you know.” In this class, Rabbi Aaron shares one of the biggest secrets to getting to know Hashem: getting to know yourself.

Spiritual Success 2b – Willing

“Want what Hashem wants, which is what you really want, since you are an expression of Hashem.” One of the other big secrets of becoming aware of (and experiencing) our pre-existing bond with the Divine is to use the power of choice to choose to align our will with the Divine will.

Spiritual Success 3 – Keter (Wearing the Crown)

“Don’t be a king without a crown.” In this class, Rabbi Aaron introduces us to the sefira of Keter, which is associated with self-mastery, freedom, transcendence, and the Self. How can we be both the master and actor in our lives?

Spiritual Success 4a – Remembering

“Life is about remembering.” Here, we learn how to live a life that acknowledges the reality that I am bonded with the source of constant joy, as Keter opens us to the G-dly attribute of Ecstasy.

Spiritual Success 4b – Believing

“Belief in yourself is the natural extension of belief in G-d.” What is belief? Why did Hashem create us? What can I do for Hashem?

Spiritual Success 5 – Taking Control

“People don’t trust their ability to make choices.” Keter is taking control, making choices, and exercising willpower. Rabbi Aaron reveals a revolutionary new perspective of the familiar Jewish tools that nurture and direct our will.

Spiritual Success 6a – Self-Restraint & Freedom

“Willful control of Will is true freedom.” How do we stay humble and remember that while we are of the Source, we are not the source? How do we not fall into the trap of false freedom?

Spiritual Success 6b – Teshuvah & Emunah

“You have to want to change.” Keter is also Teshuvah and Emunah, both of which are paradoxical, completely beyond logic. How is it possible to change the past and to somehow know the unknowable?

Spiritual Success 7a – Compassion

“When we recognize that Hashem is King over all, we can see the miracles in our lives.” In this last Keter class, Rabbi Aaron first explores Hashem’s compassion, then does a review and summary of all of the aspects of Keter from the last several classes.

Spiritual Success 7b – Chochma (Wisdom)

“Will without wisdom is anarchy.” Rabbi Aaron opens up the teachings on Chochma with a simultaneous exploration of its partner, Bina. Through understanding the two and their relationship, we can go in-depth into Chochma.

Spiritual Success 8a – Transcendence

“The most painful parts of life are the births.” Chochma here is vision, creativity, and foresight. A person with Chochma can be both in the moment, and yet transcend the moment. How do we relate to the tragedies in life in the light of Chochma?

Spiritual Success 8b – The Power of ‘What’

“The first step to knowing is to know that you don’t know.” Chochma is also the power to ask ‘What Am I?’ Rabbi Aaron explains how awe, wonder, and radical amazement open up the channels of Chochma.

Spiritual Success 9 – Creativity & Kedusha

“The goal is to be kadosh, not just ethical.” Chochma is visionary, creative thinking that helps us to reach the highest goal that we can reach: to be kadosh, to be in the physical world, but not addicted to it. Now that you’ve finished the series, we invite you to go back to class one and enjoy it all over again!
Copyright © 2010 • Isralight