Efraim Palvanov: 'Every person can be the Messiah'
About this episode
Efraim Palvanov discusses the intersection of science and Jewish mysticism, emphasizing the role of every Jew in bringing the Messiah.
What is taught today as basic science, argues Efraim Palvanov, was taught centuries ago in the Zohar. To Efraim, complex scientific functions such as quantum physics, epigenetics, and wave particle duality go hand in hand with Torah and Jewish mysticism. Efraim Palvanov studied biology and chemistry at York University, earned a bachelor of education at University of Toronto, and studied at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. He is head of the science department at Bnei Akiva Schools Toronto, runs two regular blogs as well as a YouTube channel, and is the author of five books. Now, he sits down with us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism such as the dangers of misinformation in today’s world, prayer as self-reflection, and every Jew’s role in bringing Mashiach [the Messiah]. ' 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? Should Judaism be hard or easy? Why did God…
People in this episode
Host: Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy
Guest: Efraim Palvanov
Topics covered
- Jewish mysticism
- science and religion
- Torah study
- prayer
- Messiah
- modernity and tradition
Keywords
- quantum physics
- epigenetics
- wave particle duality
- Mashiach
- Jewish people
- prayer
- Zohar
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Bnei Akiva Schools Toronto, Aish HaTorah, York University, University of Toronto
Books & works: Zohar
More episodes of 18 Questions, 40 Mystics
- Judah Mischel: 'I identify as somebody who is living in the days of redemption'
- Elliot Wolfson: ‘Jewish mysticism is the garment that I wear in this world’
- Fruma Schapiro: 'The direct path of connection to Hashem is through the simple and the small'
- YY Jacobson: 'Jews were chosen to hold onto the frequency of redemptive consciousness'
- Oshra Koren: 'If this is not redemption, I don't know what is'
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