In the story of the four who entered Pardes, the cosmic orchard of expanded consciousness, only one is able to enter and emerge B'Shalom -- Rabbi Akiva. In the first session of this two-part class, we explored the other three characters of this story as a kind of warning about three hindrances along the spiritual path: madness - the inability to integrate the expanded state into daily life, heresy - the ego taking the credit for the spiritual highs, and death - spiritual death or numbness when it comes to continuing along the path.

In this session, we will look exclusively at Akiva, the only one who enters and emerges B'Shalom. How can Akiva as an archetypal figure set an example for us to walk the spiritual path with wholeness? How might we carry the lineage of Akiva in our own lives? We will explore this through chant from Shir HaShirim (the Song of Songs), which Akiva called "the holy of holies." Going so far as to say, "if the Torah had not been given, we could live our lives by the Song of Songs." We will also explore the original Talmudic story of the four who entered Pardes from Akiva's point of view.

Ariel Hendelman is a senior Rabbinic student with the Aleph Ordination Program and the spiritual leader of B'nai Or Boston (a Jewish Renewal community). Ariel leads chant and meditation circles online and in person, as well as retreats that center around dreamwork and meaningful melodic prayer. Her debut album, Prayer for Fire & Water, is out now.