Shmuel Ozhekh: 'The greatest blockage to a person's spirituality is their own mind'

Rabbi Shmuel Ozhekh first encountered Jewish mysticism as a teenager at an outreach camp, where a class on angels sparked a sense of purpose and opened a lifelong spiritual path for him. In this conversation he stresses that Jewish mysticism is for everyone – not only for the religiously observant – and that accessing these teachings can enhance one’s inner life, relationships, and sense of purpose.

Originally from Australia, Rabbi Ozhekh is the rabbi of the Ohr Somayach community in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the founder of the Rejewvenate Young Professional outreach movement and co-creator of EDEN, the first Jewish meditation app of its kind.

Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including viewing prayer as a point of connection and how misperception is a hindrance to living a more spiritual life.

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 create the world?
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions?
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?

1. What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?