Our Lineage

 Rabbi Yehudah Leib Ashlag (1886-1955) is known as the Baal HaSulam, or Master of the Ladder, after the name of his major commentary on the Zohar, the core book of Kabbalah.  In terms of his contributions to the authentic understanding of the Kabbalah, he may be seen as the spiritual heir to both Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and Rabbi Yitzhak Luria, the Ari. 

Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag (Hebrew: ברוך שלום הלוי אשלג‎) (also known as the RABASH) (January 22, 1907 – September 13, 1991) was a kabbalist, the firstborn and successor of Yehuda Ashlag also known as Baal Hasulam, the author of “The Sulam” commentary on the Zohar. Among his writings: Shlavey ha Sulam (“Rungs [of] the Ladder”), Dargot ha Sulam (“Steps [of] the Ladder”), Igrot Rabash (“Letters [of the] Rabash”).

Rabbi Feivel Okowita studied for many years with Rav Baruch Shalom Ashlag (RABASH), the firstborn son of Rav Yehudah Ashlag. Rav Okowita also studied in Yeshiva Kol Torah in Jerusalem, which was headed by HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and in Yeshiva Beis Meir in Bnei Brak, which was headed by Rav Zalman Rothberg and received Rabbinical ordination from Rav Chaim Shaul Kareletz (nephew of the Chazon Ish). Rav Okowita founded Ohr Pnimi, the Kabbalah Institute of America, to disseminate the teachings he received from the Rabash.  At present, Rav Okowita lives in the Tri-State area,  and teaches in person the wisdom of Kabbalah as it was passed to him by his great teacher.