Gedale Fenster - Podcast The Kabalah of time with Rav Benji Elson
Oct 21, 2025
Rav Benji Elson, a psychotherapist and Kabbalah teacher, shares his transformative journey from the yeshivish world to exploring spirituality in India. He discusses the Jewish calendar as a healing tool, likening its cycles to phases in relationships. Elson emphasizes practical applications of the Sefirot for emotional balance and dives into the integration of breathwork and mindfulness in addiction recovery. He connects Kabbalah to somatic healing, illustrating how rituals can release trauma. Ultimately, he advocates for embracing life's challenges as spiritual growth.
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From Ashrams Back To Kabbalah
- Rav Benji Elson traveled to India after high school and experienced deep meditation in ashrams.
- He later returned to Judaism in Israel after encountering Kabbalah and Hasidic teachings that rekindled his spiritual path.
The Calendar As A Healing Curriculum
- The Jewish calendar functions as an ancient healing art that trains different senses and skills across the year.
- Each month cultivates specific capacities like trust, sleep, smell, and ultimately play and laughter.
Tishrei As A Spiritual Marriage
- Elul through Tishrei follows the arc of a romantic relationship: meeting, dating, engagement, and wedding.
- This marriage metaphor maps spiritual preparation, commitment, and the post-honeymoon work of building a mature relationship with the divine.
