Connecting with God through Visualization - with Rabbi Reuven Stepsky

Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today." Today's conversation delves deep into the pathways of connecting with the divine, guided by the insights of Rabbi Reuven Stepsky.
Rabbi Stepsky, an introspective yet joy-spreading personality, feels a natural tether to the divine, a connection he has nourished throughout his life. Drawing inspiration from revered figures like Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, the Eish Kodesh (1889 - 1943). Rabbi Stepsky paints a vivid image of how he visualizes, understands, and connects to God. At the heart of this is visualization, a concept rooted in the teachings of the Aish Kodesh and Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, A religious thinker and prominent figure in the Musar movement (1881-1954), aiding in overcoming personal challenges and refining behavior.
According to Rabbi Stepsky, prayer transcends mere requests. It is the art of building an intricate relationship with God. And visualization, including, controversially, visualizing God in a physical form, becomes a potent bridge to help humans connect with what is beyond their perception.
The negative attribute teachings of Maimonides enters the discussion, raising questions about the nature of such a connection to the divine, whether, through that type of visualization, one is truly in sync with a higher power or to a kind of personal fantasy. Rabbi Stepsky, while honoring Maimonides' teachings that God doesn't don a physical form, urges people to see the physical world as a series of parables, helping humans inch closer to apprehending God.
Touching upon the rich tapestry of Judaism and the many paths to reach divine connectivity, Rabbi Stepsky brings forth the analogy of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea through 12 unique channels, each transparent and true in its connection to God.
Sharing a chapter from his personal life, Rabbi Stepsky reveals a surprising revelation – finding a deeper connection with God during his days as a trainee trader, as opposed to his time in the yeshiva. To Rabbi Stepsky, this is a testament to the idea that connection to God is not solely bound by rigorous study but can be experienced in everyday life.
As our Orthodox Jewish world veers towards rationalistic interpretations, Rabbi Stepsky emphasizes the need for an experiential form of Judaism that touches the heart.
Concluding on a contemplative note, Rabbi Stepsky reintroduces us to the age-old meditation practice once, according to Rabbi Stepsky, embraced by ancient Jewish sages. For him, it's more than a ritual; it's a gateway to a profound connection with the divine.
Join us as we venture through diverse paths of Judaism, unraveling the tapestry of divine connectivity, all through the lens of Rabbi Stepsky.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.