Dear Friends,

Bas Ayin is a journal that seeks to present the depths of the Jewish tradition to spiritual seekers around the world. I started publishing Bas Ayin several years ago in order to share with friends an approach to Torah that is both personal and inspiring. Issues of Bas Ayin are published irregularly, and sent free to individuals on our mailing list. Each issue contains essays, stories, parables and translations. Much of the material is drawn from Judaism's esoteric teachings -- the Kabbalah and Hasidism -- but always presented in a way that makes the ideas relevant and practical.

"Bas Ayin" means "the center of the eye." According to the Kabbalah, the four colors of the eye -- white, red, blue (or brown), and black -- correspond to the four spiritual worlds. The pupil represents this world, for like the black of the eye, this world receives all of its light from beyond, from Above. And just as the small pupil can hold within it a vision of all creation, so can this world, though the lowest of them all, hold within it a revelation of the Infinite G-d. The teachings in Bas Ayin look up toward G-d, and back, toward the great Masters of the Jewish tradition.

On this homepage, you will find excerpts from past issues of Bas Ayin. Selections will change monthly, offering new essays or stories. If you enjoy what you read, and would like to be on the mailing list, I hope you will contact me. I am also always open to receiving new material in the spirit of the magazine.

Thanks for looking in.

Sincerely,
Eliezer Shore
Editor