About Ariel Bar Tzadok & KosherTorah.com
see also the KosherTorah Statement of 42 Principles
 

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Ariel Bar Tzadok traveled abroad to Israel in 1979.  While there, he studied in some of the finest Sephardic yeshivot in Jerusalem, including Porat Yosef (Old City) under Hakham Shalom Kohen.

While studying in Colel Hekhal Pinhas in Jerusalem, Rav Ariel was blessed by Heaven to become the private student of the renowned Mekubal, Rebbe Meir Levi zt"l, the foremost student of the Head Mekubal of Jerusalem, Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi zt'l.

In June 1983, Rav Ariel received his Rabbinic ordination (Haredi/Orthodox) from HaRav Ya'akov Peretz (shlita), Rosh Yeshiva (Dean) of Collel Hekhal Pinhas, and Rosh Yeshiva (Dean) of Beit Midrash Sephardi in the Old City of Jerusalem.  To this day (2012), Rav Tzadok maintains a good relationship with his Rabbi of over 30 years.

Upon returning to the United States, Rav Ariel augmented his religious education with studies in Jungian psychology at the Jungian Center in New York. 

Rav Ariel continued to expand his education in areas of the world's religions, esoteric studies and practices, philosophies and psychological systems.  Rav Ariel also explored the teachings of many occult systems and cults. 

After developing a working understanding of the parameters of human consciousness, and how it touches both seen and unseen worlds, Rav Ariel began his career in Rabbinic/Life Coach pastoral counseling (see below).

Rav Ariel is also a life long practitioner of Chinese martial arts.  Presently, he teaches C.Q.C., weight lifting exercises and weight/diet management on a private one-on-one basis.  Following in the philosophy of the great Torah Sage, and physician, Maimonides, Rav Ariel believes that it is a foundation of all religious and spiritual life for one to have a healthy body, in order to house a healthy mind and soul, in order to properly serve Heaven.

After teaching privately for many years, Rav Ariel officially established Yeshivat Benei Nviim in 1992 to address the growing concerns of spiritual misguidance and misinformation that is pervasive in the Jewish community at large. Following in the footsteps of the great Sephardic Sages of the previous century, Rav Ariel began to use the teachings of Kabbalah, as a means to draw wayward souls back into the Torah way of life.  

While the Yeshiva and KosherTorah began as a Sephardic institute, placing emphasis on the Torah teachings of the great Sages of this community, this approach was found to be rather limiting.  Therefore, KosherTorah expanded to include the teachings of all schools of "kosher" Torah, regardless of their ethnic origins.  All Torah that is good, proper and true are welcome here.

After many years of mixed success, Rav Ariel withdrew from his position of supporting the public teachings of the Kabbalah.  He realized that while many people are drawn to the myth of mysticism, not that many were ready and willing to apply its sacred teachings correctly, in proper coordination with a life personal transformation, and pursuits of the expansions of the mind.  Many love to be entertained.  Few are willing to do the work.  Popular public Kabbalah studies have become a distraction to many, keeping them away from experiencing what the real Kabbalah was (and is) all about.

Authentic Kabblah is not a path of mystical philosophy, superstitious nonsense, or semi-occultic beliefs.  Biblical Kabbalah are the teachings of the Biblical prophets.  Their message has always been to draw souls back to a natural and simple way of life, as God has meant it to be.  The Biblical Prophets taught a meditative system which enables the practitioners to recognize and see the spiritual realities underlying everything in our physical world.   it is this instruction that Rav Ariel places in all that he teaches.

There are many "Kabbalah" cults operating today and Rav Ariel publicly speaks out to set the record straight by providing accurate and correct information about what is authentic, and what is not authentic Kabbalah and Biblical mysticism.

This is why our website was named "Kosher Torah," to serve as a source for practical and realistic Biblical teachings, that strip away the hype and cultish garments of so much today that passes itself off as authentic Torah Judaism.

Yeshivat Benei Nviim first published a journal of Rav Ariel's writings tilted, Panu Derekh (Prepare the Way).   This journal, while only in existence for a few years, gave way to what was planned to be its web presence, this being KosherTorah.com.  As times and technologies changed.  Panu Derekh went completely on-line, and ceased its printed format.  Most Panu Derekh essays are today found on KosherTorah.com

For over 20 years, KosherTorah.com has grown leaps and bounds and now consists of an entire on-line library of Rav Ariel's writings, audio lessons and videos. 

These have come to cover many topics, but are generally divided into four main topics:
* Bible Study,
* Judaism,
* Kabbalah,
* Prophetic Meditation Studies. 
KosherTorah.com thus can meet the needs of an ever widening student body, with their many different backgrounds and interests.

Recognizing that not everyone attracted to this message is of Jewish origins, Rav Tzadok welcomes to KosherTorah.com all peoples of all backgrounds who wish to embrace the Biblical code and live moral and decent lives as G-d fearing, righteous human beings.

KosherTorah does not tolerate any distinctions or prejudices based on ethnicity, skin color or any such unbecoming classes of division.  Rav Ariel firmly holds by the motto, "united we stand, divided we fall."

Rav  Ariel also does not shy away from commenting on relevant issues of social, political and spiritual importance that he believes are appropriate and necessary for Rabbis to address.

These include:
* UFOs and Aliens in Biblical and Judaic Teachings
* The Occult and its Influences (Protection From Evil)
* Angels Among Us

* The Right and Responsibility to Bear Arms
* The Importance of Martial Arts Training
* What Torah Teaches About Homosexuality

One of Rav Ariel's areas of expertise is in the study of Eschatology (End Times) Studies.  He has written prolifically on this topic, incorporating classical apocalyptic material, with psychological insights.  He has also written a commentary to the Biblical Book of Daniel.

Rav Ariel is also the author of Walking in the Fire, a large compendium of Prophetic Torah meditative practices, including translations of ancient materials not available elsewhere in English.

Rav Ariel is also a novelist.  He is the author of The Book of the Angel Ariel, an Imaginative Spiritual Diary.

Over the years, Rav Ariel has been featured in numerous newspaper articles, radio talk shows and television interviews. He has spoken for university groups and lectures around the country.

He was also a guest on:
NBC-TV's national prime-time series "Ancient Prophecies,"
FOX-TV's "Millennium Prophecies," and other programs aired on the
HISTORY CHANNEL.

He presently hosts on-line classes and an open forum, internet radio style program (see above).

In 2011, Rav Ariel fulfilled his life-long dream to move out of the congested urban areas and relocated to rural Eastern Tennessee in the Great Smokie Mountains.  Following in the footsteps of the ancients, he chose to be close to nature in order to draw closer to God. 

Rav Ariel encourages all who are of like-mind to consider relocating. 
Together, we can build a mighty community of like-minded souls.

---------------------------------------------

PRIVATE CLASSES WITH RAV ARIEL

(by phone, by internet or in person)

ARE AVAILABLE

A single one hour private class with Rav Ariel is $200.00 per 55 minute hour.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED THE RAV'S SERVICES BUT CANNOT AFFORD THEM,
THE RAV MAKES SPECIAL ALLOWANCES.
PLEASE NEVER LET A LACK OF FUNDS KEEP YOU AWAY, IF YOU ARE IN NEED.

Lower rates are available for those individuals or groups that register for ongoing regular classes
(minimum of three months, once per week).

Rav Ariel will work with any potential student to chose a course of study
the Rabbi feels is best for the student to learn.

Rav Ariel reserves the right to accept or reject any student or course of study.

To schedule an appointment, please call our office.
Study fees must be paid in advance.

----------------------------------------------
Contact Information

Have A Question or a Problem?

Need To Speak Directly With The Rav?

 Rav Ariel answers questions 
about religious, moral and philosophical issues.

The Rav also provides spiritual (pastoral) counseling 
based upon classical Torah wisdom & Kabbalistic insights.

The Rav DOES NOT perform miracles
and has no magical solutions to problems. 

The Rav offers only relevant, practical and down-to-earth advise.

Please do not call with questions concerning Halakha (Torah Law).
These must be answered by your local Orthodox Rabbi.

Call 423-253-3555
(sorry, no collect calls)

Monday - Thursday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Eastern Time

Short, brief calls are taken whenever there is time.
Sorry, callers with questions must be limited to five minutes!

 Formal counseling sessions are billed in 30 minute increments of $100.00.

To schedule an appointment, please call our office.
Counseling fees must be paid by credit card
at the time service is rendered.

Comments? Questions?
E-mail Rav Ariel at
koshertorah1@yahoo.com

Return to Home Page