Scholar Shabbat: Shabbat Mincha

Join Rabbi Ponak as he leads us in a service that will take us through The Four Worlds of Kabbalah: the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of all reality—including ourselves.

The Four Worlds of Kabbalah are the (1) physical, (2) emotional, (3) intellectual, and (4) spiritual dimensions of all reality—including ourselves. Through movement (body), chanting nigunim [wordless melodies] (heart), a poetic reading (mind), and silent meditation (soul), we will journey through all four realms together. This service will also include the mourner’s kaddish.

This innovative service is inspired by traditional Jewish prayer but is non-liturgical: it connects with many of the underlying themes the siddur points towards, but uses other forms of meditative practice to get there.

At the end of this experiential process, you will be invited to sense into the wisdom arising in the moment — a type of embodied Torah reading — with an option to share your insights with the group.

Rabbi Matthew Ponak’s childhood in Calgary, Alberta, sparked diverse expectations of his future. However, at sixteen, a class on Jewish mysticism changed his life. Since then, he has explored various spiritual traditions, psychological approaches, and denominations of Judaism. Now a teacher and counselor, he helps students uncover their truths, offering accessible teachings and empowering them to thrive. Rabbi Matthew Ponak strives to make Jewish mysticism and wisdom accessible to those who feel disconnected from traditional paths.