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Religion

Kabbalah has helped her find her purpose

A Jewish spiritual teacher will present a two-day introduction to the mystical teachings next weekend.

By SHERYL KAY
Published January 20, 2006

CITRUS PARK - For some, Kabbalah signifies a centuries-old study of Jewish mysticism and meditation, while others conjure up images of Madonna and Britney Spears.

For Melinda Ribner, Kabbalah is simply a way of life.

On Jan. 28 and 29, Tampa's Jewish Renewal congregation, Or Ahavah, will host Ribner, a Jewish spiritual teacher and author of several books on this ancient discipline, for a two-day introduction to Kabbalah. The program will be held at the Jewish Community Center on Gunn Highway.

"Kabbalah can be applied throughout our lives," said Ribner, who lives in New York. "It looks at how the world was created, what is the purpose of each human being and how that purpose will be revealed over time."

Ribner grew up in a diverse Jewish household. Her mother was Reform; her father, Orthodox. The family held concurrent memberships in three synagogues: one for each parent's background, and one affiliated with the Conservative movement.

Yet with all the exposure to the religion's various branches, Ribner said she could never quite find a deep spiritual connection to Judaism. That deficiency took her on a search to ashrams and yoga retreats.

These satisfied her thirst for connecting with the divine but did not quench her desire to find such a relationship within Judaism.

"I was looking for answers to the deepest questions of life, and I wanted to find them within my own birth religion," she said.

Her quest took her to the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. An Orthodox Jew who was well-versed in Kabbalah, Carlebach developed a reputation for trying to bring Judaism to the masses, often through storytelling and song.

After almost two decades of study with Carlebach, Ribner began to spread the word and the techniques of Kabbalah on her own.

She has great disdain for those who try to capitalize on this meditative approach.

She cautions that people should be careful when faced with marketers who peddle amulets, Kabbalah drinking water and other possible quick-fix items.

"Using holy teachings in this way is not holy, and not what God is wanting," she said.

Still, Ribner is not necessarily put off by the celebrities who now speak of Kabbalah lessons with the same devotion as they might for shopping along Fifth Avenue.

She particularly credits Madonna with being a "messenger" and said that because of the pop star, more people know about Kabbalah, and that's a good thing.

Even with Kabbalah appearing almost chic, Ribner said the discipline is in no danger of becoming adulterated.

"What is holy, what is pure, can never be diluted," she said.

Furthermore, she is convinced that Kabbalah should be accessible to all.

Long ago, only Jewish men who were 40 or older were permitted to learn the ways of Kabbalah. Now, she said, many Jews accept that women, younger individuals, and those of other faiths are capable of learning the mystics' explanation of the world.

The original requirements, she said, reflected the earlier rabbis' concerns that there be a certain level of maturity for someone to begin such a study.

This is another reason why Ribner is not put off by anyone, even famous non-Jewish people, studying Kabbalah.

"People will only understand what they have the vessels to understand," she said.

Dr. Marc Katz, a member of Or Ahavah, has been studying Kabbalah for almost 20 years. He maintains it is not just a way to approach Judaism, but also a set of practices that enhances his daily life.

"Kabbalah can be very deep, but it can also be very simple," said Katz, 40, of Carrollwood Village.

"Using it in your everyday experiences, you find you treat people better, evaluate situations better, because it's all coming from your soul now."

On Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m., Ribner will present "A Theoretical Kabbalistic Perspective on Accessing Our Soul Connection." The seminar will open with an introduction by Rabbi Joel Wasser of Congregation Kol Ami, followed by a Havdallah service, indicating the end of the Sabbath.

Ribner will follow up with her lecture, and the evening will conclude with a wine and dessert reception.

Jan. 29 will be more hands-on as Ribner presents an experiential workshop on Kabbalah and meditation. The program will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a light lunch provided.

The Saturday seminar is $18 in advance, $25 at the door. The Sunday program is $75 and is limited to 54 participants. Both programs can be attended for $90 total.

- For more information call Debrah Shenefelt, 968-7850. Contact Sheryl Kay with religion news at skreporter@hotmail.com

[Last modified January 19, 2006, 08:43:07]