This course explores teachings from the Piaseczner Rebbe’s magnum opus Aish Kodesh (Holy Fire), a unique collection of extraordinary sermons given during World War II.
The first three sessions focus on preparing ourselves for the High Holiday season, featuring the first entry that was delivered on Rosh HaShanah 1939, shortly after Germany invaded Poland.
The course will then continue with teachings on several of the Torah portions that we read as we begin the new Torah cycle of the New Year.
The Piaseczner was a mystic, pioneering educator and a highly evolved spiritual guide and innovator. He addresses the situation of his fellow Jews with humility, authenticity and faith. His radical teachings hold enduring relevance for us today, especially as a source for cultivating spiritual resilience, renewal and inner redemption.
The Piaseczner views Jewish living and tradition as a spiritual practice. His progressive ideas discuss the spiritual nature of our body, mind and heart, how we awaken to the Divine presence within us, and how we can integrate these components and expressions of the Jewish experience into one whole healthy being.
His teachings are devoted to a profoundly holistic approach to the spiritual life and service of the Divine. It is difficult to comprehend how the Rebbe was able to weave this type of redemptive, radical and renewed consciousness into his teachings during this horrific period. And yet, he did. And in that vein he guides us, walks with us and provides companionship for us as we begin to encounter a deeper dimension of ourselves in the New Year.
How does it work?
The course consists of eight recorded online sessions, of approximately 1.25 hours. Participants can watch and listen to the recordings at your own leisure. Each class includes two essential components:
1) A close text-based study of the Piaseczner’s teachings on Jewish spiritual growth.
2) A guided meditative practice focusing on the particular theme studied in that class and how that nurtures and cultivates the spirit of inner redemption, liberation and freedom.
Testimonials
"Yiscah brings warmth and approachability to her teachings—along with a clear connection with the Divine and with the sacred spiritual texts that she shares. Whether one is a novice or more familiar with Jewish spirituality, you will find yourself welcome in the space she holds for everyone. One of my favorite impressions learning with Yiscah is how she approaches learning Torah as if one is recalling a dream from the night before, thus opening the door to a “lived“ experience amidst a text that can seem so distant from our own lives. As such, bring an open heart to her learning opportunities, and Yiscah will do her best to help you become inspired."- Jordan Walker
"How amazing that over zoom Yiscah has been able to create a safe, intimate space for sharing our interior lives inspired by the Piaseczner Rebbe. Her modus operandi is very much aligned with the Piaseczner’s teachings - encouraging us to open ourselves intellectually, emotionally and spiritually to Torah.
Very often Yiscah expands the Piaseczner’s text with apt examples from her own personal experiences; encouraging us to do so as well. I have learned from Yiscah that speed in DAVENING without KAVANA may not serve our soul or spiritual longing to connect more deeply with the Divine. I have given myself permission through her gentle and sage guidance to focus on select phrases and big ideas that speak to me.
Each class is enlivened with deep emotional and intellectual learning along with some historical context. Yiscah has a listening heart and an open mind for all of our queries.
We are inspired by Yiscah and the Piaseczner Rebbe to make Torah our own, to expand ourselves, to interpret text with our own ideas and experiences and feel Torah in our everyday lives. Yiscah’s mantra (now mine as well) is to see yourself in the text and the text in you."
- Renee Wohl
"Yesterday was the final class given by Yiscah. It was a bittersweet experience. Bitter because it ended and sweet because aside from signaling a new beginning, I walked away with knowledge of who Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapiro, the Piaseczner Rebbe was, and his amazing teachings. I have come across his name before, but I had no idea of how important and revolutionary his thinking and beliefs were - teachings that can rival the most current eclectic disciplines. In addition, listening to Yiscah’s vast knowledge and delivery of the lectures, kept me looking forward to the weekly classes. Lastly, I liked and appreciate a lot, the time Yiscah allotted to questions and comments. Not many lecturers give their students such time and space. I am so glad I listened to her on Erev Shavuot because if not, I would have never learned about Yiscah and her courses."
- Jenny Katz