فارسی
David Mokhtar
Beginning life in war-torn Yazd after World War 2, David Mokhtar’s life includes several migrations, jobs and resignations, and solid determination resulting in classes, books, and research. Explore his path from Iran to the United States, uncovering Jewish mysticism, profound Kabbalistic insights, and a legacy of spiritual scholarship.
Early Life and Migration
Birth in turbulent times
David Mokhtar was born in 1945 into a religious family in Yazd, Iran. His father, Rabi’ Shimon, was a Jewish cleric and the owner of a small silk weaving workshop, which supported their livelihood.
Family’s forced migration
After the end of World War II, when David was five years old, Yazd faced famine, poverty, inadequate hygiene, and various other problems due to the presence of Allied Forces in Iran and the aftermath of the war. Faced with these challenges, Rabi’ Shimon was compelled to move his family to Tehran in search of better work and social opportunities.
Early education
David began his elementary education at the Alliance (Ettihad) school in Tehran and completed his secondary education at Khazaeli Night School. After some time, he and his family migrated to the Holy Land (Israel).
Adult Life
Immersed in Jewish education
After obtaining his diploma, David and his family had migrated to Israel. During his six-year stay in Israel, David became fluent in Hebrew, attended a Yeshiva (religious school), and gained a classical understanding of Jewish law. He returned to Tehran and was immediately drafted into military service. After completing his service in the Iranian Army, David traveled to the United States to further his education.
A degree in Chemistry
In 1980, David earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of New Jersey. The turbulent period following the Iranian revolution and the onset of the Iran-Iraq war influenced his decision to remain in the United States until stability returned to Iran. He found employment as a chemical engineer at a major American company, while simultaneously pursuing his studies in Jewish law and mysticism.
Childhood drive to mysticism
David’s early exposure to Jewish teachings under his father’s guidance in their traditional classes had sparked a lifelong passion for exploring Torah and religious texts. This fervor continued to grow as his love for the Torah and research in theological sciences deepened over time. As he explored ancient writings, his focus eventually steered towards the study of Kabbalah. Engaging deeply with the Tanakh, David expanded his research into the mystical aspects of Kabbalah, forging connections with experienced Kabbalists in the United States and Jerusalem. He immersed himself in the study of Zohar, driven by the belief that his family’s heritage of spiritual research was a legacy he was obligated to continue. His great-grandfather was considered one of the prominent Kabbalists of Yazd. He saw this path as not only a scholarly pursuit but also a personal journey towards spiritual growth and self-completion.
Interpretative Approach to Torah
David Mokhtar firmly believes that the Torah should not be studied solely on a superficial level. He argues that since the emergence of the Zohar and the establishment of Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah), the Torah must also be understood in symbolic and allegorical terms. According to the Zohar, the stories within the Torah conceal profound existential secrets that can only be uncovered through the numerical values of letters and the study of abbreviations, particularly of names. This interpretative approach allows for a deeper comprehension of the Torah’s true essence.
Publications
Resignation and embracing Kabbalah
To dedicate more time to his passion for Jewish spirituality and to participate in seminars and classes, David left his job and embarked on a freelance path. For years, he meticulously studied authentic Jewish religious and cultural sources, focusing intensely on the mystical sciences of letters and numbers, specifically in the Abjad system and the interpretation of the Tanakh.
The Song of the Universe
In 2004, David began teaching classes on the interpretation of the science of numbers, which attracted many enthusiasts. Responding to requests from his students, David decided to compile some of his teachings into a book. Collaborating with renowned scholars like Harav Armoni, a prominent Kabbalist from Jerusalem, and Professor Yosef Malmad, he published sections of his translations and interpretations of the Psalms of David in a book titled “Sorud-e Ka`enat” (The Song of the Universe) in 2008. The book uniquely explored themes like the praise of the Almighty from the perspectives of animals and other creations, adding a profound spiritual layer to natural observations.
Song of Songs
David Mokhtar continued his studies and translations of religious texts. His work culminated in the publication of a condensed and summarized version of his interpretations in the valuable book published in 2009 titled “Song of Songs of Solomon” (שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים; Shir HaShirim) providing a unique Kabbalistic interpretation, offering a mystical lens into the text for Persian-speaking enthusiasts for the first time.
The Discovery of Self and the Miracle of Belief
In 2016, he published another part of his Kabbalah studies in the book “The Discovery of Self and the Miracle of Belief”, which featured his translations of Megaleh Amukot, an interpretation of the Book of Job with Kabbalistic commentary. This work was enriched with ethical reflections and contemporary insights, lending a distinct perspective to its mystical concepts.
New editions and plans
In the summer of 2017, David released a revised edition of “Song of Songs”. By the end of 2017, he planned to publish another book titled “Salvation”, which would include the full text of Megillat Esther from the Ketuvim section of the Tanakh, providing further Kabbalistic insights for Persian-speaking readers.