Translation of Rabbi Yechiel Barlev’s Endorsement

In Maamar Al HaHaggadot, the Ramchal writes that the Talmudic Sages used scientific knowledge and logic known in their times to explain Kabbalistic concepts embedded in the Aggadah of the Talmud. The Ramchal continues to clarify that had the Talmudic Sages lived in later generations, when scientific knowledge developed and disseminated, they would have reconciled their explanations with the developed scientific knowledge and would have used the scientific concepts that were accepted at that time.

I was happy to meet Rabbi Avinoam Fraenkel who has translated and explained the classic introductory work to the teachings of the Kabbalah, Shomer Emunim, written by the Kabbalist, Rabbi Yosef Ergas, of saintly, holy and blessed memory. Rabbi Fraenkel wrote a general overview, that systematically explains the basic concepts of the Arizal’s Kabbalah and uses contemporary science to explain these Kabbalistic ideas. In particular, Rabbi Fraenkel has succeeded, with God’s help, in revealing direct connections between Kabbalistic and scientific concepts at an advanced level, such that the primary concept of the Arizal’s Kabbalah, “the concept of Partzuf,” beautifuly blends in with contemporary scientific terms.

This work, with its insights, will transform the Arizal’s teachings, making them accessible and intelligible to a wide audience interested in delving into them.

I give Rabbi Fraenkel my blessing that his wellsprings should disseminate outwards, and he should continue to build on the platform of this work together with his previous work, Nefesh HaTzimtzum, that he should merit to continue to disseminate the Arizal’s teachings to those thirsting for Kabbalistic teachings.

With the blessing of the Torah and wishes for a happy new year and a Ketiva VeChatima Tova,

Yechiel Barlev