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Draft:Ohad Ezrahi

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Ohad Ezrahi (born 1965) is an Israeli teacher of sexual shamanism and a rabbi recognized by the Jewish Renewal movement. He describes his work as influenced by Kabbalah, Hasidism, Tantra, and Zen Buddhism. Ezrahi has published several books in these fields and has been involved in establishing various spiritual communities and initiatives.

At the age of 18, Ezrahi embraced Orthodox Judaism, initially leading a Haredi lifestyle and later adopting a Religious Zionist orientation. In the late 1990s, he underwent a significant transformation and is no longer part of the Orthodox stream.

Early life and return to religion

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Born in Kiryat Motzkin in 1965 to a secular family, Ezrahi attended the Environmental High School at Midreshet Ben-Gurion=. During his high school years, he developed an interest in the philosophies of Native American cultures, Buddhism, and Zen. Towards the end of high school, inspired by the writings of Martin Buber, he gravitated towards Hasidic thought and returned to religious observance under the guidance of Israel Hevroni. Ezrahi joined the Belz Hasidic dynasty, and the Rebbe, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach, officiated his marriage to his high school companion, Ruth. After studying as a kollel student, he continued his education at the Sha'ar HaShamayim Kabbalistic Yeshiva.[1]

Ezrahi delved into various branches of Hasidisidut and Kabbalah, studying under Rabbi Asher Lustigman and later becoming a close disciple and personal secretary of Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh. In 1989, the Ezrahi couple was part of a group of seven families of Rabbi Ginsburgh's students who founded the settlement of Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion, where they lived until 2000. The couple adopted two daughters, and later had a son together named Yeho-Shalem. Ezrahi taught at Midreshet Bat Ayin, the Gal Einai organization led by Rabbi Ginsburgh, Yeshivat Otniel, Yeshivat Hesder Ramat Gan, Yeshivat Siach Yitzchak, and at the Beit Midrash of the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus.[2]

In 1994, he published the booklet "Worlds of Doubt," an explanation of the belief systems of the characters in the Book of Job.[3]

In 1997, together with Dr. Yitzhak Hayut-Man, he developed a vision of Jerusalem and its Temple as a future sanctuary for all nations. They initiated and designed computer programs dedicated to Kabbalistic meditation and even proposed establishing a virtual temple on the internet using virtual reality.[4] Together, they published the book "Hayashan Yithadesh VeHahadash Yitkadesh" (The Old Shall Be Renewed and the New Shall Be Sanctified), in which Ezrahi developed the idea of viewing erotica as a basis for the concept of holiness, as he claimed was expressed in the Hebrew Temple in Jerusalem and in the Song of Songs.

Departure from Orthodox Judaism

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In the late 1990s, Ezrahi advocated for greater openness in Judaism towards interfaith influences, particularly from Eastern religions. He protested against the suffering caused to young men and women in the religious world who have no contact with the opposite sex until marriage, arguing that according to Orthodox Jewish law, premarital sexual relations could be permitted within the framework known in Jewish law as "concubinage." This stance led to his expulsion from the community.

Ohad Ezrati taught at various private institutions, including the MILA Institute in Jerusalem, which was led by Rabbi Mordechai Gafni.[5] At MILA, Ezrahi conducted research on the attitude toward dance and working with the body in Jewish thought throughout the ages. During this time, he co-authored the book Who's Afraid of Lilith with Rabbi Mordechai Gafni, focusing on Lilith in the teachings of the Ari's Kabbalah, which was published by Modan. At the MILA Institute, Ezrahi both taught and pursued research on the relationship to dance and physical work in Jewish thought. After Gafni left Israel following allegations of sexual assault, Ezrahi severed ties with him. However, in 2023, he announced that he regretted cutting ties and that they planned to rewrite Who's Afraid of Lilith together.[6]

In 2000, Ohad Ezrati was ordained as a rabbi and dayan (religious judge) by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the leader of the Jewish Renewal movement.[7]

Community of The Makom ("Yeshivashram")

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In 2000, after a period during which he served as a research fellow at the University of Oregon, Ezrahi returned to Israel and established the "Community of Place," also known as the "Yeshivashram" (a portmanteau of "yeshiva" and "ashram"), in Mitzpeh Dragot in the Judean Desert.[7]

Ezrahi taught at various private institutions, including the MILE Institute in Jerusalem, which was directed by Rabbi Mordechai Gafni. At the Mila (word) Institute, Ezrahi focused on research into the relationship between dance and physical practices within Jewish thought throughout the ages. During this period, he co-authored the book Who's Afraid of Lilith with Mordechai Gafni, exploring Lilith in the Kabbalah of the Ari, which was published by Modan.

After Gafni left Israel due to allegations of sexual assault, Ezrahi severed ties with him. However, in 2023, Ezrahi announced that he regretted cutting off their relationship and revealed plans to rewrite Who's Afraid of Lilith together.

In 2000, Ohad Ezrahi was ordained as a rabbi and dayan (rabbinical judge) by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, leader of the Jewish Renewal movement.

Kabalove School of Love and Kabbalah

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Ezrahi established the Kabalove School, focusing on the study and practice of love and Kabbalah. The school offers workshops and courses aimed at deepening understanding of Kabbalistic teachings and their application to personal relationships and sexuality.[8]

Activities in Auschwitz and the Zen Peacemakers Order

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Ezrahi participated in interfaith activities at Auschwitz, collaborating with the Zen Peacemakers Order. These events aimed to promote healing and reconciliation through shared spiritual practices and dialogues at the site of the former concentration camp.[9][10]

Involvement in ISTA

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Ezrahi has been involved with the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA), an organization that offers training in sacred sexuality and shamanic practices. Through ISTA, he has taught workshops and courses internationally, focusing on the integration of sexuality and spirituality.[11]

Allegations of sexual misconduct

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Allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Ezrahi by several women who had attended his workshops.[12][13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "אוהד אזרחי". לולאת האל (in Hebrew). 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  2. ^ "אני מעריץ אנשים שמעיזים". makorrishon.co.il. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  3. ^ עולמות הספק - על ודאות ואי-ודאות שבחויה הדתית - ישראל אהד אזרחי – via simania.co.il.
  4. ^ Davis, Joshua. "Apocalypse Now". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  5. ^ "הסופר מרדכי גפני". סימניה. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  6. ^ "Gafni, me, and Lilith. A confession". Kabalove. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  7. ^ a b "בית אבי חי | אזרח העולם". www.bac.org.il. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  8. ^ "About - Pele Ohad Ezrahi & Dawn Cherie". Kabalove. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  9. ^ Pele Ohad Ezrahi (2022-01-03). Rabbi Ohad (Documentary, Auschwitz). Retrieved 2025-01-06 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Lipkies, Liron (2018-03-29). Speaking of Bodies: Embodied Therapeutic Dialogues. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-91941-1.
  11. ^ "Pele (Ohad) at ISTA". ISTA.life. Archived from the original on 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  12. ^ ""הוא אמר לי שאם אלטף אותו גברים ירצו אותי": האמת האפלה של קהילת המיניות המקודשת - מגזין תרבות". Haaretz.
  13. ^ "Complainants warn against 'sacred sexuality' courses at International School of Temple Arts". NZ Herald. 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  14. ^ "Spiritual Sexual Shamanic Podcast". Apple Podcasts (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
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