Shmuel Braun: 'When it comes to God, I'm the object and God is the subject'

Rabbi Shmuel Braun draws an important distinction between the terms mysticism and Pnimiyut HaTorah [inner dimensions of Torah]. While mysticism is about having an experience of the divine that is not part of the rational world, Pnimiyut HaTorah is about experiencing God in our regular, mundane lives.

Rabbi Shmuel Braun is a teacher, lecturer, and mentor. He studied for many years at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and at the Brisk Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is the founding rabbi of Congregation Lev Le’Daas in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the importance of being fully present in spiritual experiences and the limited nature of free will.

Here are our questions:

What is Jewish mysticism?

How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?

In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?

What do you think of when you think of God?

What is the purpose of the Jewish people?

How does prayer work?

What is the goal of Torah study?

Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?