Shabbat Ki Tavo

The Alef Kabbala Group (13 Sept 2011) explored a discourse for Shabbat Ki Tavo, 18 Elul, said in 1957. 18 Elul is the birthday of both the Baal Shem Tov (in 1698) and Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (in 1745). A teaching by the Baal Shem Tov explains the opening verse of the Sedra in terms of reaching for intense spirituality and the task to contian it and bring it 'down' into this world in a settled way. The discourse explores this and a passage from the Zohar about the special quality of great Sages such as Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.