Eli Rubin

2 months ago | lawliberty.org | Eli Rubin |David Goldman |Edward Whelan |Mark Pulliam

The proportion of Americans who profess a religion is falling, but this decline is concentrated among liberal denominations. Traditional religion is gaining ground, among Jews as well as Christians. Does this trend constitute a repudiation of modernity? Eli Rubin’s new book, Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity, makes a contrarian claim: Jewish philosophical speculation, or Kabbalah, offers a path out of the paradoxes and contradictions of modern science.

2 months ago | chabad.org | Eli Rubin

Introduction (Click here for part one)The life of Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn spanned eight decades, from 1834 to 1914. For almost the entirety of that time, she lived in the town of Lubavitch—the seat of Chabad Chassidism for more than a century. As such, she personified a bridge of rich experience and memory that became all the more important amid the dislocations, challenges, and troubles suffered by Chabad in the decades following her passing.

2 months ago | chabad.org | Eli Rubin

Introduction: The Meaning of Divine Ascent“G‑d’s infinite radiance ascends ever upward without limit, and descends ever downward without end.”The Zohar’s words shine with mysterious brilliance, demanding our contemplation. Manifold interpretations by masters of Kabbalah and Chassidism flash from this aphorism like radiant light reflecting off a diamond’s many facets.

Jan 23, 2025 | chabad.org | Eli Rubin

An abridged excerpt from Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad HasidismIn the autumn of 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte advanced into Russia. As his Grande Armée approached Liadi, home to the founder of Chabad, Rabbi Shneur Zalman (“Rashaz”), the famed author of the Tanya left his home and traveled eastward with retreating Russian troops. With the onset of winter he journeyed far to the south. Unfortunately, this would be his last journey, from which he never returned.

Oct 20, 2024 | chabad.org | Eli Rubin

To a wanton sinner in his city, notorious for not leaving any sin uncommitted, he once said: “I harbor great jealousy toward you, for if you only so desired you could make yourself even more complete than I am. If you would only rue all your sins and return to G‑d out of love, your merits would be more numerous than can be calculated!”— Toldot Kedushat Levi, 13.