Question: Does studying Kabbalah constitute a prayer?

Answer: When we try to understand, realize, and feel something during our study, we are practically engaging the Creator. We want to feel Him, bring Him closer, begin to somehow interact with Him, and therefore, our study is called the “the science of Kabbalah,” how to achieve the revelation of the Creator.

Question: So, the study itself, when one reads from the sources, even without understanding, is this already a prayer?

Answer: Certainly.

Question: Is there a point in reading prayers that other Kabbalists wrote several thousand years ago?

Answer: This too is helpful since the Kabbalists of the past conveyed their feelings, actions, and attainments through prayers, and you can tap into it.

Question: What is the difference between reading from a prayer book three times a day and reading The Book of Zohar, The Study of the Ten Sefirot (Talmud Eser Sefirot,) or the articles of Baal HaSulam? Is there a need to open a prayer book in addition to a three-hour lesson, and to spend an additional half-hour reading from it? What is the difference? They were all written by Kabbalists.

Answer: They were. But the thing is that the prayers were written by the members of the Great Assembly which were exceptional Kabbalists and very wise men. Thus, during the exile, when we fell from the upper level of attainment of the Creator, they purposely put together a collection of prayers for us so that we know how to turn to the Creator from the lower level.

Therefore, there is something in common for everyone in reading from the prayer book and addressing the Creator from it. On the other hand, but unique appeals to the Creator are preferable. This is certainly more important for a person. This is what one should mainly realize.

Comment:  I don’t feel the states these Kabbalists described. It’s not a given that they are clear to me.

My Response: You will come to a state when you will experience what they are writing about.

Question: It follows that one should read a prayer book, regardless of understanding it?

Answer: For now, it is advisable to read it occasionally. There will come a time when you will consciously recognize your own plea in these texts. You will even wonder how it was possible for them to write down what is inside your heart.
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From KabTV’s “Fundamentals of Kabbalah,” 4/1/19

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