Nehora School Safed

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Nehora

Hebrew: נהורה / Pronounciation: N’hoo-ra / Definition: Light / Explanation: Tzfat-based school for scholarly work, online classes and authentic translations of Kabbala.

Many people come to Tzfat because they are interested in learning about kabbalah. Some people are satisfied with a short summary of a kabbalistic concept that they learn when they buy a “Kabbalah necklace” or “Kabbalah ring” but others are looking for more serious and introspective insights into the discipline.

Yedida Cohen offers an opportunity for individuals, both beginners and more advance students to delve into the study of kabbalah through her translations of the work of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag, known as the “Ba’al Sulam” -- Master of the Ladder.

Ba’al Sulam

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag was a great kabbalah scholar who lived during the first half of the 20th century. Rabbi Ashlag was best known for his writings “The Sulam.” In the Sulam -- Ladder -- Rabbi Ashlag provided an extensive commentary on the “Zohar” the foundational work of Kabbalah.

The Sulam is regarded as a central textbook for kabbalah students. The writings systematically delineated the teachings of the Zohar, interpreting its wisdom and promoting kabbalah study.

Nehora Press

In 2003 Mark and Yedida Cohen published their first work, “In the Shadow of the Ladder.” The book was a translation and commentary on Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag’s introduction to his book, the Sulam. Mark and Yedida felt that inaccurate translations and interpretations of Rabbi Ashlag’s works were distorting their meanings and creating inappropriate understandings of what kabbalah really teaches. They believed that a scholarly work which provided accurate readings and analysis of the Ba’al Sulam’s works would provide an opportunity for students of kabbalah to access the wisdom that the Sulam contains.

Mark and Yedida established Nehora Press to publish their book, “In the Shadow of the Ladder,” first an English translation and subsequently its Hebrew partner. Mark died but Yedida continued with the work, publishing a second work “Tapestry for the Soul.” Tapestry is study guide to Rabbi Yehudah Lev Ashlag’s “Introduction to the Zohar.” In the same spirit as the “Shadow of the Ladder,”, “Tapestry” aims to allow students to learn kabbalah directly from the Rabbi’s teachings, using the interpretative manual to guide and direct the study.

“In the Shadow of the Ladder” and “Tapestry for the Soul” carry the endorsements of Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Tsfat and Rabbi Avraham Mordecai Gottlieb, student of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag’s son, Rabbi Baruch Ashlag and present-day head of Beit HaMidrash Ohr Baruch Shalom in Kiryat Yearim, Israel.

Nehora School

In 2011 Yedida opened the Nehora school. The school allows students to study the text of Rabbi Ashlag’s writings using virtual audio conferencing. Lessons take place weekly as each student sits in their own home with their own copy of the text. The class “meets” virtually. As Yedida leads the textual study students can participate interactively, asking Yedida questions and discussing the material with each other. Classes are kept to a minimum of eight participants to facilitate group discussions and questions.

The school invites beginning and advanced kabbalah students who want to learn the works of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag in an authentic manner. The classes encourage students to explore the spiritual traditions that are embedded in Judaism and examine how the kabbalah can help them to strengthen their own spiritual identity as well as their relationships with G-d and their fellow man.

The basic philosophy of the Nehora School is to teach that man is created with infinite potential that each person is unique and plays a specific role in this world and that, with understanding, each person can connect to ourselves, to God and to each other.

 
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