David Aaron's Story: Kabbalah Demystified - The Science of Judaism

Rabbi David Aaron tells Chavie about growing up in Toronto hearing his Holocaust-survivor mother scream in her sleep, and questioning how G-d could be good amid so much suffering. He describes feeling the “oy” rather than the joy of being Jewish and using rock and roll and comedy to drown out those questions, before discovering NCSY, Shabbos with friends, Chabad, and finally going to a yeshiva in Jerusalem. Rabbi Aaron shares how he discovered Kabbalah at a young age which unlocked for the "science" for how Judaism works. He also shared how a near-stranger insisted she knew his soulmate, despite the cultural and language differences between him and Chana; after an awkward first date, they tried again and have been married for 42 years. Chavie returns to the childhood pain that shaped his work, opening a conversation about Judaism’s “branding problem” and Chana’s insight during labor that “pain with purpose is power.”    Rabbi David Aaron is a renowned educator, author, and Rosh Yeshiva of Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem. He is the author of several influential books, including *The Secret Life of God*, *Seeing God*, *Living a Joyous Life*, and *Soul Powered Prayers*. His teachings focus on the deeper foundations of emunah, tefillah, and personal growth, making profound Torah ideas clear, practical, and deeply relevant.   This Week's Prompt *There is no prompt this episode and next due to the holidays but we will resume right after!* *Listen to voice notes from listeners at the end of every episode with their personal stories and reflections on a given prompt.*   Referenced On the Pod - 29:20 Night by Elie Weisel - 23:30 Chavie’s grandfather, Dr. Yitzchok Block - 45:15 Rabbi Noah Weinberg, founder of Aish HaTorah - 52:27 The Road Less Traveled by Dr. M. Scott Peck - Further Along the Road Less Traveled by  Dr. M. Scott Peck - 1:12:36 “The Pangs of Cleansing” by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook   Stay in touch with David Aaron https://rabbidavidaaron.com/ https://www.instagram.com/davidaaron613 https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiDavidAaron   Stay in touch with Chavie @chaviebruk on Instagram www.totallyunexpected.blog Totally Unexpected! on Youtube   This episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Rabbi David Aaron’s beloved granddaughter, Nechalya, who tragically lost her life in a car accident while traveling as a passenger a few months ago.   Want to sponsor or dedicate an episode? Reach out to Chavie on Instagram or by email at chaviebruk@gmail.com.