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Authored and Published by the Salant Foundation
l'ilui nishmas Asher Zelig ben Hirsch
Day Two
The Incremental Approach
Foreword
~ Orientation and Preparation ~
~ Rabbi Moshe Cordovero ~ Rabbi Moshe Cordovero is the saintly author of Tomer Devorah (The Palm Tree of Devorah), a Kabbalistic and Ethical work that elucidates the wisdom of the Sefirot (System of Divine Lights) and their appropriate emulations. It is one of the many books authored by the holy and pious Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, a master of Torah and Kabbalah, who resided in Safed about five hundred years ago. Rabbi Moshe Cordovero was a disciple of Rabbi Yoseph Cairo, the author of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, who taught him the revealed and esoteric realms of Torah, respectively. Amongst the books that Rabbi Cordovero authored was the Pardeis Rimonim (The Orchard of the Pomegranates), an encyclopedia of Kabbalistic concepts and their definitions, for which he is renown as the “Ba’al HaPardeis” (Master of the Orchard). He was the teacher of the holy Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi.
The “Incremental Approach” Rabbi Moshe Cordovero advises us to adapt the “incremental approach” when contemplating the “Esoteric Wisdom of the Torah.” The wisdom of Kabbalah is highly compressed. Therefore, first study and reflect upon a modest portion today, letting it slowly settle into your consciousness. Then tomorrow, a bit more study and further contemplation. The important thing is to take small steps that the mind can assimilate. Then, with patience and consistency, your understanding will slowly but steadily advance, with the Merciful Creator’s assistance!
Daily Readings
In keeping with this idea, this book has been divided into fifty convenient and digestible daily readings. Our advice is to slowly and deliberately go through one section per day, so you can properly appreciate and assimilate the ideas presented therein. Then, over the course of that day, reflect upon what you’ve learned. The following day, read the next passage in the same considered fashion as the first. Proceed through the whole book in this manner, taking the time to savor the words and feel the beauty of the “journey,” and be inspired!
Clear and Concise Definitions
The commentary clearly and concisely defines Hebrew terms and Kabbalistic concepts to help the reader more readily integrate the information. Additionally, many parables and analogies have been presented to facilitate understanding and aid in processing the ideas. Database of Terms, Definitions, and Foundational Principles The Introduction of the book builds a database of terms, definitions, and foundational principles to shed light on the concepts of Tomer Devorah. While this section is vitally important, it is not replete with “practical lessons,” which are the hallmark of other Salant Foundation publications. We advise our dear readers to view these remarks as if they are “stepping stones” to access the majestic palace of Tomer Devorah.
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