Moshe Gersht: ‘The world of mysticism begs for practicality’

Rabbi Moshe Gersht first encountered the world of Chassidus at the age of twenty, the beginning of what he terms his “spiritual awakening.” From there, he began to dive deep into Jewish mysticism, viewing it as a unified system that shows that there is meaning to reality. 
Rabbi Moshe Gersht grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He is the author of It’s All The Same To Me and The Three Conditions. He is also a popular speaker and spiritual teacher. 
Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including living with free will in the moment and the Messianic Age as an awakening of consciousness. 
Here are our questions: 
What is Jewish mysticism?
How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?
In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?
What do you think of when you think of God?
What is the purpose of the Jewish people?
How does prayer work?
What is the goal of Torah study?
Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?
Should Judaism be hard or easy?
Why did God create the world? 
Can humans do something that is against God’s will?
What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?
Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?
What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?
How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?
What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? 
Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?
Can mysticism be dangerous?
How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?
What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?