Contributions to the tribute of Rabbi Joel Bakst

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David uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, October 3, 2024

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Marggy posted a symbolic gesture

Friday, November 4, 2022

I became Rabbi Joel's student in 2004 and continued to study with him until his transition to the higher realms. He was my rabbi, my teacher, who brought me back to Judaism from which I had turned away in my youth. His teachings were inspirational and his insights into the coherence between Kabbalah, Torah, Talmud and the sciences in our earthly dimension were beyond profound. During the early years of my learning with him, I helped him express his vision and the insights of his teachings by creating computer graphics of the illustrations he would draw on the whiteboard in his classes. He later went on to create computer graphics himself that communicated his teachings in ways that words alone were insufficient. He was constantly discovering new insights and greater understandings that he shared in his teachings. I told him I thought he was absolutely brilliant and his response was that he really wasn't, he just studied a lot. Rabbi Joel was truly a light unto the world. His presence and teachings enriched my life in inexpressible ways. These words barely touch how important he was to the world. That his legacy and teachings are preserved in his books and the recordings of his classes is a blessing for us all. As another here has mentioned, Rabbi Joel has broken through the chrysalis and become the butterfly. יהי זכרו לנצח

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David Posted Sep 30, 2024 at 12:46 AM

Does anyone have a number for his widow?

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A tree was planted in memory of Rabbi Joel Bakst

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

I am honored and blessed to have encountered Joel. His guidance and wisdom was prolific. May we meet again in the next life. Thank you for everything.

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Lindafern Kettner posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Knew Joel in high school, through encounter group type circles and radical politics. Have a great shot of him in our "annual," awkward, skinny and wearing stars and stripes painted shoes. After awakening to my soul at 16 through psychedelics, Joel was the person who first showed me Be Here Now by Ram Dass, at home in his parents' basement. I have (or had) another photo of him, dressed in Indian style robes, meditating. There was a short period of romance, then we both moved on. Later, I was involved with the House of Love and Prayer in SF and with Zalman Schachter, who encouraged me to go to Israel. I found out that Joel had married another girl I knew from school and now lived there on Mt. Zion, so I went to study, but it didn't mesh with my young feminist side, so went to a kibbutz and met my husband there instead. We became very involved in a mystical Christian group, and Joel wrote voluminous letters explaining why I was probably making a bad choice. Hadn't heard from him in years, but knew he was in Colorado. Recently read "Being Ram Dass," an autobiography from birth to post-death (written with assistance of friends and devotees), having been a fan of his all my life and getting the chance to drive him home one time from a lecture. In one section he talks about being in Jerusalem, being of course, a Jew, but not very connected in a spiritual way to much in Jewishness. He says he was walking in the market or streets when he heard a black-hatted and bearded religious man with a friend pointing him out with the words, "That's Ram Dass! I'm here because of him!" I was pretty sure that blackhatted rabbi would have been Joel. Ram Dass told this story to show his surprise at how far and into what quarters his message had spread. Today I decided to write a note to Joel, after many years, telling him about this passage and recommending the book to him if he hadn't read it yet. Instead I was sadly confronted with another passage--his own. Not sad for him, of course, but for those of us who loved him and will miss him until our own turn comes. G-d bless you, dear Joel, and goodbye for now. Deep and heartfelt condolences to Joel's mom--as the mother of a middle-aged son whose safety is ever my concern, my heart breaks with and for yours.

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David Posted Sep 30, 2024 at 12:49 AM

Yoel never wore a black hat, ever

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Brandon Williams posted a condolence

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Condolences from the Williams family, you will be missed

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Rick Magder uploaded photo(s)

Friday, September 24, 2021

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David Posted Sep 30, 2024 at 12:50 AM

From Long Island WOW Long time. Was friend with Yoel 40 years

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Rick Magder posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

I met Joel virtually around 13 years ago when he contacted me asking to use a distance learning platform I developed for Jewish education. He was interested in using the technology to teach his students from around the world. I asked him what it is that he taught; The weekly Torah portion? Halachah? Kabbalah? Navi? Chasidus? Basic spirituality? He replied something to the effect “All of the above and none of the above” He did his best to provide me with an overview of his research and his insights into Judaism and consciousness and quickly I realized that Joel was in a different spiritual league. I was inspired by his ability to connect deep Torah ideas with science, physics the cosmos and world events. I was amazed. I was honored to be able to provide my platform for him to teach weekly classes. He continued for years. Every so often I would peak in and be inspired. We spoke over the last number of years about many ideas and when I began developing a film on “oneness and spirituality” Joel was the first person I called to participate. He was excited. We learned together focusing on his insights into the Jerusalem Stone of consciousness. He was able to bring Torah to a new level of understanding. Ideas that I had never heard before but were so logically connected to the deep mystical teachings of Judaism. We met in person for the first time a couple of years ago when I came to Colorado to interview him for the film. Our time together at his home will be forever etched in my soul. He will be missed but his Torah and legacy live on. He has left an indelible mark on all of us and we and so many others will continue to learn from him and his teachings.

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David Posted Sep 30, 2024 at 12:54 AM

Hi Rick. I still speak with Jeffrey Newman

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Naomi R Eisman lit a candle

Friday, September 24, 2021

Joel David is my precious son. his passing has been described as the kiss of death as he passed away silently and without pain into the Gan Eden He was forever seeking his truth as regarding Kabbalah. He was a very loving and caring son. My heart will be forever broken.

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Gary Neuger posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

Friend, Rabbi, my brother - Joel, I am and will continue to miss you terribly despite knowing you are now where you have always striven to go while in this collapsed dimension. I love you.

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Dinah Miller posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

My Rabbi once told me “May the twin female messiahs be your twin wings to carry you through from the heights to the depths and Adam retrieve the final fractal sparks through your sacred work as A Mother, A Teacher, A Mentor, A Wife and a soldier in Chava and Chaya’s army!” We will continue the Great Work you have taught us and with your assistance from above we will complete our tikkun in this world. We hang on tightly to your garment and know that although your tikkun in this world is finished you will continue to assist us here below in the Great Work of Adam’s Tikkun. As we march ever so closely to that final time. May your memory be eternal Rabbi, and I will see you soon….but not yet….not yet…for we have much work to still do!

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Rachel Tribble posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

Joel was a great force of nature. He was THE cosmic navigator and a true friend, mentor and teacher to both me and my children. Joel is now in the place he understood best, as he was not so comfortable in the human realm. But he has left us with maps to guide us through the cosmos and the ability to ask the right questions. He profoundly touched my life and with his open mindedness accepted us without question. Even as my children came from a cross cultural background of Jewish and Native American he never questioned them and taught them for their Bar Mitzvahs and then ..... in only Joel style allowed us to build a sweat lodge in his backyard!! He was always seeing the connections in everyone and everything. and reminding me that the most important thing to understand about people is not about what they know its about what universe they are rooted in..... the most profound teaching of this world I have ever come to comprehend. While there is a huge void left in the world with Joel's departure I know he is smiling as he travels the cosmic highways with ease.... because he has all the maps! While the time has come to say goodbye my friend, we will see you again !

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Akiva posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

"Blessed are you, Rabbi Bakst, that your life expired with "Echad," by a kiss of the shechina." Like Moses and Eliyahu and Aaron our teachers Leader and lover of his generation. The eighth generation from the Gaon The concealed Joseph who drew his generation from the pit and gave them water to drink In the image of the supernal Adam Adventurer, discoverer of Eden. The one who lead us back

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Anne Liebernan Posted Sep 24, 2021 at 7:58 AM

Ameyn.

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Francesco Antonio Addesi posted a symbolic gesture

Friday, September 24, 2021

Thank you Rabbi Bakst for everything. I can't get into detail the depth of wisdom I've learned from him. I've spent countless hours listening to his lectures he'd send me, so many hours reading his books, especially his magnum opus, "beyond kabbalah", and the countless email exchanges I've had with him over the years. I found Rabbi Bakst to be a rare soul, one who had the "it" factor: a sharp individual, analytical, and had a good sense of humor. I'm sorry to his family and friends for your loss, I can deeply relate as Rabbi Bakst has permanently left a mark on my life. "The Mind of Moshe" is a conscious mindset I will forever apply to all aspects of life, helping me see everything "properly." What did Rabbi Akiva know that G-D did not? Thank you Rabbi. I love you man

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Eliezer Newman posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

My name is Eliezer Newman. I live most of the year in Tzfat, Israel where I made aliyah in 2009 after being inspired by Joel. Joel and I both grew up in the San Diego Jewish community and knew many of the same people but never met due to our age difference. I started studying with Joel many years ago and was his student, muse, friend and advisor. We shared our lives and were in a weekly mens group for the past 18 years. Joel Bakst didn’t live much in this world, this was neither his skill nor inclination. He was neither a community leader nor certainly not a follower. He was, for a small circle of us, our cosmic spiritual spaceship navigator. He took us on journeys to both inner and outer space, through the dimensionality of space and time. He taught us ancient Kabbalistic traditions and insights through a huge lens of multi-media graphics, modern science concepts and the language of Torah and Talmud. He was funny, clever, creative and a 100% serious and committed Torah Scholar and original thinker.From Joel we learned how to think, imagine and experience core Kabbalistic teachings and for many of us this changed our lives. Torah was challenging, exciting, amazing and juicy. We became friends and partners with Moses, Adam and Metatron. We searched together for the holy scattered sparks, be-friended the holy serpent, learned to dance with our masculine and feminine energies and came to understand our singular purpose of rebuilding the body of Adam. We learned from Joel that there is no right answer to a wrong question and it’s not what you are looking at but where you are looking from. Many of us renewed or rediscovered our love of Yiddishkeit through Joel's words, images and shared journeys. Joel, like Chabad accepted each of us in our own level of observance. He shared Halacha but didn’t dictate it. Joel, like Reb Zalman of Jewish Renewal sought essence, meaning and paradigm shift. Joel, like Reb Schlomo infused us with the joy of learning and the passion of the Jewish soul. Our circle included Chassidic Jews, Noahides and other spiritual seekers from diverse backgrounds and persuasions. Joel reiterated the Pashat and then dove into Sod. My teaching, psychotherapy practice and my life became infused with Kabbalistic principles and I translated the sometimes esoteric of Joel’s dimensional navigation into the practical principles of creating more meaningful lives and relations, moving from simple survival to thriving, not just reacting to life but co-creating our life vision with the inspiration of our sage/mystic masters. I learned and taught the mission and leadership of the masculine and the surrender, creative expression and discernment of the feminine. In recent months Joel reached a place of inner peace and acceptance about both external approval and internal identity. As I sat with his body a day and a half ago I bathed in the light of his incredibly peaceful face and understood he was already gone into the upper worlds where he was always the most comfortable. Thanks Joel for your all too brief visit with us, we are with you and you are with us for eternity.

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Zane posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

I woke up to this terrible news. R. Bakst taught me more about Judaism, spirituality and religion in general than any one person or Rabbi. He and Rav Kook opened my mind and helped me get rid of so much dogma. He truly helped me find my path and navigate through all the religious bs. One of my favorite quotes came from him in the form of a meme. It says, "Please leave your dogma and anthropomorphisms outside the study house." Thanks you R. Bakst for everything. You will truly be missed but you will also always be remembered...The DMT Rabbi who taught ppl how to get there without drugs! BDE!

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mike mattlage posted a condolence

Friday, September 24, 2021

It is hard to imagine a world without Rabbi Bakst in it. I have spent the last few day trying sort out how I will get through it. He is and was the greatest Torah teacher of our generation. We are very fortunate to have had his wisdom as long as we did. His work on the Adamic body was complete, and the tikkun was done. His last words to me were " enjoy leviathan", enjoy the knowledge. That is what I intend to do, to be grateful to sit at his feet for two decades . He is our advocate at the Throne, and we couldn't ask for more. The Light to the Nations has made its Nogah.. Now, its time to glow. We may be sad and devastated, but i assure you, He is exactly where He wants to be, doing exactly what he has always wanted to do. Its difficult to see the plan of Hashem, but as Rabbi Bakst has taught, Hashem has a perfect plan. Be thankful if you knew him, because you were as close the light as you could possibly be. If you didn't know him, be thankful for the light he left for us. Enjoy Leviathan

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Shaul lit a candle

Friday, September 24, 2021

Rabbi Bakst was a “Yachid Bedoro” a unique one in his generation. His breadth of knowledge combined with his amazing patience and ability to teach ideas and concepts that are unteachable were truly unique. He will be sorely missed but He lives on through the books he wrote and classes he gave - Yehi Zechro Baruch

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Sue Denney lit a candle

Friday, September 24, 2021

Condolences from the Denney family R.I.P Joel

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Jack Daniel Arbess lit a candle

Friday, September 24, 2021

A unique and amazing man. A great teacher, friend and thought leader, time will prove how ahead of his time he was. I will sorely miss our talks and his deep knowledge and wisdom. A true seeker, may his beautiful soul transcend and live on in the many he impacted. BDE Jack Daniel Arbess

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Sotiria lit a candle

Thursday, September 23, 2021

"0 Lord, what is man that You regard him, or the son of man that You take account of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a passing shadow … So teach us to treasure our days that we may get a wise heart. Observe the good man, and behold the upright, for there is immortality for the man of peace. Surely God will ransom my soul from the grave; He will gladly accept me … The dust returns to the earth as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it."

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Tovia lit a candle

Thursday, September 23, 2021

There's a large community of people who have benefitted so much from his books. His insights, at this point in history, will offer guidance and comfort to many, as we navigate our way through this volatile world toward the coming of Mashiach.

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Michaela West- Burton posted a condolence

Thursday, September 23, 2021

I was a student of his for many years. My deepest sorrow of losing my teacher, friend, and leader on my spiritual journey. He was a great foundation. He was so great at guiding you to the truth without telling you how to obtain it. Much respect & love for him. Many good memories & teachings that came from him which he helped me understand. May his message continue in his transgression. Condolences to Yael, his wife & his family.

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Anneloes Smitsman lit a candle

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Rabbi Joel Bakst has been a close friend for many years and I am forever grateful for his teachings and for our many conversations. His last message to me on Sunday was, "Joseph the caterpillar meets David the Butterfly!" I believe he has now gained his David butterfly consciousness and wings and his teaching continues and lives on, knowing that for him death is only a transition and the ultimate rite of passage. My love, condolence, and prayers to his wife, Yael, and his family, friends, and students. We will all so deeply miss him. With love, Anneloes Smitsman.

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Analesa Berg lit a candle

Thursday, September 23, 2021

I will be forever grateful to have been a student of Rabbi Joel’s. What he shared with me has changed my life exponentially for the better. I was blessed to study with him these last 16 months. I will very much miss our weekly private sessions which were lively, deep, and full of surprises. His guidance took my understanding of ancestral wisdom to levels of consciousness and transformation I had longed for but didn’t really know were possible. He believed in me and knew I would bring forth these lessons in my own way. I will do so, in your blessed memory, Rabbi. Thank you so much for your brilliance and all you shared with so many. Analesa Berg

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Rachel Tribble lit a candle

Thursday, September 23, 2021

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tom dworniczek posted a condolence

Thursday, September 23, 2021

I met Joel in 2004 when i moved to Colorado. During these past 17 years his wisdom, guidance and mentoring changed my life and many of my students. Though I am devastated by his passing, he will always be with me. Rest in peace my brother in Torah Joel.

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Thorney Lieberman uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, September 23, 2021

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Jaculin Pantelis lit a candle

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Rest in peace Rabbi. My deepest condolences.

Rabbi Joel Bakst

1952 - 2021