The Sefiros: A Jewish morally-based math lesson

In his commentary on the Counting of the Omer, “The Siddur Illuminated By Chassidus, Shabbos” (Merkos/Kehot, 2015), Rabbi Eliyahu Touger, formerly of Cedarhurst, now of Jerusalem, teaches us that “the root of the term ‘sefirah,’ translated as ‘counting,’ also has the meaning of luminance, as in the phrase, ‘even sapir,’ a luminous sapphire stone.” (Yechezkel, 1:26)

“Similarly,” he continues, “the Ten Sefiros are so named because they shine forth Divine light. This is the mystic implication of the commandment: ‘And you shall count for yourselves,’ that is, you shall make yourselves luminous. The mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer involves drawing down the light of the Ten Sefiros so that it shines and is internalized within a person as he exists in this lowly realm.”

This teaching, linking a timely mitzvah and the Jewish mystical tradition, is expanded upon in a newly published work, “The Sefiros and the Self: A Divine Blueprint for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth” (Feldheim, 2016), by Rabbi Yaakov Feder of Lawrence.

This learned work, utilizing user-friendly terminology, goes into great detail to teach us the importance of the Jewish mystical tradition and its application to everyday life. 

Rabbi Alter Metzger of Yeshiva University states in his approbation: “One of the foremost challenges of the modern Jewish world is the sense of disconnect between spiritual and material values. It is a constant struggle to incorporate lofty ideas into daily life. There is a great need for tools that help translate the timeless lessons of Torah into down-to-earth terms. … By focusing on common scenarios and real-world problems, Rabbi Yaakov Feder provides a grounded system that can help the individual repair his or her own inner disconnect and dysfunctionality.”

Rabbi Feder was born in Montreal where he attended the local Chabad yeshiva studying under Rabbi Wolf Greenglasz, z”l, and Rabbi I.M. Gourarie. He later studied at Jerusalem’s famed Yeshishat Torat Emet under Rabbi Yosef Offen. He received his semicha from Canadian Chief Rabbi Pinchas Hirchprung, as well as from Rabbi Isaac Schvei, z”l, and Rabbi Yitzchok Hendel, the rabbi of the Chabad of Montreal. His personal lineage also reflects deep rabbinic and learned roots, especially in the Chabad tradition. 

According to family members, Rabbi Feder has followed in his family tradition by giving weekly Torah Parsha shiurim on Thursday nights, and shalosh seudot discourses at Chabad of the Five Towns. He is a regular congregant there as well as at Bais Avraham Zev (Gruber) in Lawrence.

Over the years, in addition to his business enterprises, Rabbi Feder has been writing thoughts on Chassidus, attempting to map out and define the complex structure of these ideas. The author’s been motivated by two great passions — systematic self-improvement and the deep abstract concepts of Chassidic teachings — and they are reflected in this book. By analyzing the model of godly attributes, the Sefiros, we can effectively implement them into a plan for personal development and growth.

As a businessman, Rabbi Feder was able to appreciate first hand the daily down-to-earth struggle of blending Torah values within our living in a mundane world. When dealing with financial and political matters, we often encounter the baser side of ourselves. Rabbi Feder realizes that just because a person is learned in our tradition, this does not guarantee that he will behave and act accordingly. Nor is a frum upbringing a strong indicator that an individual will adopt a mature, moral, honestly functional lifestyle and live as a moral, functional human being with a self-developed character.

Functionality is not always prevalent in the frum world.

“The Sefiros and the Self” addresses the need to actively encourage healthy moral character development, a focus that’s needed in Jewish life and education. Ve’hamevin yavin.

I conclude this week’s essay with the words on Rabbi Feder’s teachings by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, spiritual leader of Aish Kodesh of Woodmere:

“In my conversation with Reb Yaakov Feder regarding his trailblazing sefer, I shared with him my impression that ‘The Sefiros and the Self’ is literally bursting with ‘oro shel Moshiach.’ The time has come for all to understand how the highest most sublime G-d is revealed through the ‘self’ of our very real and earthly personalities, challenges and accomplishments. …

“By using clear illustrations drawn by modern day life and wisdom, Reb Yaakov Feder has opened the doors to the soul, making the deepest mystery of man accessible to all serious students of Torah and Chassidus. This is a masterpiece.” To which I can only add my take: Amein.

Columnist@TheJewishStar.com