People think that Torah is about something: that it comes to explain our world, what has happened and what will happen, where each thing belongs and what to do with it.
In a way, this is true. But ultimately, Torah isn’t about anything—everything is about Torah.
Before creating a world, the sages say, G‑d first composed a blueprint from His Torah. This Torah that we unfold in our world is that primordial Torah speaking within the parameters of our world.
G‑d emanated light, created a world and filled it with events, people and things, all so we would have means and metaphor to discuss His thoughts.
Chayei Sarah 5726:19. Torat Menachem 5741, 13 Tishrei, sicha 1—based on Zohar, Behaalotecha.
We live in the physical world, and the Torah is a way to lift our spirits in an encounter with the Creator. Thus, the most important issue is understad our relationship with the Creator. The Torah gives us the educational lines for us to meet the requisites and march forward. Learning Torah, prior to Kabbalah is my preference because one must be sure of onself before starting this intricate study. One can posit all you want about Kabbalah, but being immersed in Torah, Mitzvot, and a deep Jewish life, is the beginning to behave as being amensch, caring for this world, doing the Mitzvot needed in the Diaspora, and truly supporting Israel. Esoteric studies should come way later. We definitely need the Torah foundation to grasp the Creator.