Today, while driving with my dad from one job to another in our family business, we had a meaningful conversation. My father, who has seven children (I am the third-born son), shared some profound thoughts with me.
I asked him about Israel—specifically, why the only country blessed by Hashem, our God, still relies on guns, rifles, and military arsenals. Shouldn’t Israel place complete trust in Hashem (Adonai) and live without weapons?
My father explained that Israel has strayed from the traditional Jewish ways as Hashem intended—or at least that is how I understood it. He said that Israel today is more influenced by the wider world than by God Himself. According to my father, Israel is not a truly traditional Jewish country anymore.
I then asked, “But why doesn’t Israel fully trust Hashem with everything? Shouldn’t Israel be an exemplary nation that shows the world what it means to be blessed by God, instead of blending in with other countries?”
My dad replied that he has spoken with God and has even seen the place we go to in the afterlife—so he knows what is true. He has shared his experiences with the Jewish community, which is why this topic is not surprising to him.
I reminded my dad that he has always told me he is a Kabbalist, and he confirmed, “Yes, I have been a Kabbalist since birth.”
He explained, “A Kabbalist is born a Kabbalist and speaks directly with Hashem, our God. That is the essence of being a Kabbalist.”
I asked him, “Since Moshe (Moses) from the Torah was a Kabbalist, were there others?” My dad replied, “Yes, all the Jewish prophets—including Abraham and Jacob—were born Kabbalists.”
We then discussed why many Jewish people study the Talmud or the Zohar in relation to the Torah. My father said there is no need to do so and that such practices are unnecessary. He explained that the Torah itself does not instruct us to comment on it using the Talmud, the Zohar, or other books. According to my father, doing so is not acceptable for a traditional Jewish person, and I completely agree.
Summary
A Kabbalist is born as a Kabbalist—one does not “become” a Kabbalist.
A Kabbalist is in direct contact with Hashem from birth, rather than seeking to find an audience with God later in life.
The Torah should not be commented on or altered by other texts.
I wanted to share this truth with my friends, family, and anyone reading my blog or visiting my website. Further details of this conversation will remain private between my father and me.
