The famous Rabbi and Kabbalist Avraham Isaac Kook was once strolling through a garden with a close friend. As they were walking, the friend casually broke a leaf off of a bush that they were passing. Rabbi Kook stopped and told his friend that spiritual consciousness requires that one even be aware of the life force that flows through inanimate objects such as plants (and even stones).

Kabbalah teaches that every blade of grass has a unique angel above that commands and encourages it to grow. Each blade of grass has its own purpose in this world that keeps the universe in balance.

Question: How can you live your life so that you can have less impact on the natural environment around you?

Myth #1: Kabbalah is a religion.
Fact: Kabbalah not a religion. Some people like to call it a science. But it is not a science either. Rather  - it is a mystical wisdom that reveals the comprehensive spiritual reality and building blocks of the universe and everything in it. Although Kabbalah’s source is in Judaism, it’s lessons are relavant to people of all religious traditions.

Myth #2: Kabbalah is connected to red strings and holy water.
Fact: There is no connection. Red strings, holy water and other products are a lucrative commercial invention created in the past two decades.

Myth #3: Kabbalah should only be practiced by select scholars and only men over 40 years of age are allowed to learn it.
Fact: During many previous generations, Kabbalah was only studied by a few select individuals. However, since the time of the Ari (the 16th century), many Kabbalistic teaching have been openly taught to every person without any restrictions.

Myth #4: Kabbalah deals with magic.
Fact: Kabbalah does not deal with magic or any other sorcery or witchcraft; However, Kabbalah does teach its students how to become aware of infinite energy around us and how to channel that energy according to our will.

Myth #5: Kabbalah is a “New Age” philosophy and is a trend – a passing phenomenon.
Fact: Kabbalah dates back to before the universe was created. It was studied by Abraham, Moses, and many biblical prophets and great sages since then.

Myth #6: Kabbalah is related to tarot cards, astrology and numerology.
Fact: Tarot cards, astrology and numerology, as they are generally taught and practiced are not related to Kabbalah. However, astrology and numerology are very relevant tools in Kabbalah (as long as they are used by a person who is properly educated in the laws of Kabbalah).

Myth #7: Kabbalah involves meditation.
Fact: Kabbalah does not necessarily involve meditation. However, meditation is a wonderful tools that has been used by Kabbalists for millennium to help them focus their minds and sense on the lessons of Kabbalah as well as true reality of the world around them.

Myth #8: One needs to have studied the Torah and Talmud before learning Kabbalah.
Fact: Kabbalah is a mystical wisdom that explains and illuminates the teachings of the Torah and Talmud. However, there are many deep teachings of the Kabbalah that can be understood and successfully implemented in our lives without prior knowledge of Torah or Talumd. However, in order to understand the fullest depths of the Kabbalah one must be very well versed in both Torah and Talmud.