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The Kabbalah

Kabbalah and Other Forms of Jewish Mysticism

The term "Kabbalah," meaning "received teachings" or "traditions," is derived from the Hebrew word "kabel," meaning "to receive." 1 It originally applied only to the Oral Law received after the destruction of the Second Temple, in the form of the...source This second set of "received" teachings is what is known as Kabbalah proper. Kabbalah is an esoteric method, discipline, and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It forms the foundation of mystical religious interpretations within Judaism2. Kabbalists believe that the teachings of Kabbalah define the inner meaning of both the Hebrew Bible and traditional rabbinic literature and their formerly concealed transmitted dimension, as well as to explain the significance of Jewish religious observances2. It is considered by its followers as a necessary part of the study of Torah – the study of Torah (the Tanakh and rabbinic literature) being an inherent duty of observant Jews2.

History of Kabbalah

While Kabbalah emerged as a distinct movement in 12th- to 13th-century Spain and Southern France, it's important to note that Jewish mysticism existed before this period, with traditions like Merkabah mysticism serving as precursors2. Kabbalah was reinterpreted during the Jewish mystical renaissance in 16th-century Ottoman Palestine2. The Zohar, a foundational text of Kabbalah, was likely authored in the late 13th century by Moses de León2. Written in medieval Aramaic and medieval Hebrew, the Zohar is intended to guide Kabbalists in their spiritual journey, helping them attain the connectedness with God that they desire4. Isaac Luria (16th century) is considered the father of contemporary Kabbalah2. Lurianic Kabbalah was popularized in the form of Hasidic Judaism from the 18th century onwards2. In the early modern period, Lurianic Kabbalah introduced new metaphysical concepts such as Tzimtzum (divine contraction) and Tikkun (cosmic repair), which have had a lasting impact on Jewish thought2. The 18th century saw the rise of Hasidism, a movement that integrated Kabbalistic ideas into a popular, revivalist context, emphasizing personal mystical experience and the presence of the divine in everyday life2.

Core Concepts of Kabbalah

Kabbalah explores the relationship between the infinite divine and the finite universe5. Key concepts include:

• Ein Sof: This term, meaning "the Infinite," refers to the unknowable, limitless God, the ultimate source of all creation. It represents the divine essence beyond human comprehension.

• Tzimtzum: Meaning "divine contraction," Tzimtzum describes the process by which God "withdraws" or conceals His infinite light to create space for the universe. This concept explains how a finite world can exist within an infinite God.

• Sefirot: These are the ten emanations or attributes of God that form the basis of the Kabbalistic understanding of divine creative power and the structure of the universe5. Each Sefirah represents a different aspect of God's manifestation in the world.

Kabbalah emphasizes the human role in the divine plan through practices like devekut (cleaving to God) and tikkun olam (repairing the world)5. It influences Jewish life through symbolic interpretations of Scripture, ritual practices, and its impact on Hasidic Judaism and cultural expressions5.

Schools of Thought

Kabbalah encompasses various schools of thought, each with its own approach to understanding the divine and the mystical path. Three main schools are identified:

• Theosophical Kabbalah: This school seeks to understand and describe the divine realm using imaginative and mythic symbols drawn from human psychological experience. It offers an intuitive and conceptual alternative to rationalist Jewish philosophy2.

• Meditative Kabbalah: This tradition focuses on achieving a mystical union with God through meditative practices. It emphasizes the nullification of the individual ego in the presence of the divine2.

• Practical Kabbalah: This branch concerns the use of magic and rituals to alter both the divine realms and the physical world. It involves the use of divine and angelic names for amulets and incantations2.

Kabbalah Practices

Kabbalistic practices vary, but often involve:

• Meditation: Focusing on divine names or concepts to achieve a mystical state6.

• Prayer: Exploring the hidden aspects of traditional Jewish prayers to uncover deeper meanings6.

• Rituals: The practical dimension of Kabbalah involves rituals for gaining and exercising power to effect change in our world and in the celestial worlds beyond ours. This power is generated by performing commandments, summoning and controlling angelic and demonic forces, and otherwise tapping into the supernatural energies present in creation4.

• Kavanot: This refers to a system of Kabbalistic meditations on God's names, performed during prayers and when fulfilling commandments8.

Other Forms of Jewish Mysticism

Hasidism

Hasidism is a religious movement within Judaism that arose in the 18th century as a spiritual revival movement in contemporary Western Ukraine9. It emphasizes religious conservatism, social seclusion, and a close adherence to Orthodox Jewish practice10. Hasidism stresses joy, faith, ecstatic prayer, accompanied by song and dance11. It brought Jewish mysticism to the masses, something that had traditionally been kept somewhat secret and restricted to a pious and learned few12. Followers of Hasidic Judaism drew heavily on the Jewish mystical tradition in seeking a direct experience of God through ecstatic prayer and other rituals conducted under the spiritual direction of a Rebbe, a charismatic leader sometimes also known as a tzaddik12.

Merkabah Mysticism

Merkabah mysticism is a school of early Jewish mysticism (c. 100 BCE – 1000 CE) centered on visions, such as those found in Ezekiel 1, concerning ascents to the heavenly palaces and the Throne of God3. It teaches both the possibility of making a sublime journey to God and the ability of man to draw down divine powers to earth13. At the crux of Merkabah mysticism is the concept of "Ascent," a metaphysical journey aiming to achieve a direct encounter with the divine14. This journey is not merely symbolic but is considered a tangible passage through multiple, increasingly sacred heavenly realms.

Online Resources

Several online resources provide valuable information and further exploration of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism:

• online-kabbalah.com: This website offers digital courses and resources for understanding and experiencing Kabbalah, including teachings on the spiritual algorithm of life, the soul, and spiritual worlds15.

• Or HaSulam Online: This platform provides access to authentic Kabbalistic texts with hyperlink features, connecting different parts of Kabbalah to other relevant sections within Jewish mystical wisdom and the Torah16.

• Sefaria: This online library offers a collection of Kabbalistic texts, including works by Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag, with a focus on the Zohar and its commentaries17.

• KabbalaOnline.org: This website provides articles, teachings, and mystical stories related to Kabbalah, with a focus on self-improvement and spiritual growth18.

• edu.kabbalah.info: This website offers a range of free resources and interactive courses on Kabbalah19.

• Chabad.org: This website provides an overview of Kabbalah, its history, core concepts, and relationship to Jewish practice20.

• Jewfaq.org: This website offers information on Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, including introductory courses and links to academic resources21.

Academic Articles

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Works cited

1. A History of the Kabbalah - Jews for Jesus, accessed December 17, 2024, https://jewsforjesus.org/blog/a-history-of-the-kabbalah

2. Kabbalah - Wikipedia, accessed December 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah

3. en.wikipedia.org, accessed December 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkabah_mysticism#:~:text='chariot')%20or%20Merkavah%20mysticism,and%20the%20Throne%20of%20God.

4. What is Kabbalah? | Reform Judaism, accessed December 17, 2024, https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/spirituality/what-kabbalah

5. 13.2 Key Concepts in Kabbalah - Intro To Judaism - Fiveable, accessed December 17, 2024, https://library.fiveable.me/introduction-to-judaism/unit-13/key-concepts-kabbalah/study-guide/4F4T5xMbDwVrLt8j

6. Kabbalah: A Judaism That Can Surprise Us - Beth El Congregation of Baltimore - ShulCloud, accessed December 17, 2024, https://bethelbalto.shulcloud.com/blog/kabbalah-judaism-can-surprise-us

7. Practical Kabbalah - Wikipedia, accessed December 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practical_Kabbalah

8. Kabbalah (mystical traditions) - BJE, accessed December 17, 2024, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/studies-of-religion-sor/kabbalah-mystical-traditions/

9. Hasidic Judaism - Wikipedia, accessed December 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasidic_Judaism

10. en.wikipedia.org, accessed December 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasidic_Judaism#:~:text=Present%2Dday%20Hasidism%20is%20a,lifestyle%20of%20Eastern%20European%20Jews.

11. A Life Apart: Hasidism in America -- A Brief Introduction to Hasidism - PBS, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.pbs.org/alifeapart/intro.html

12. Hasidic Movement: A History - My Jewish Learning, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hasidic-movement-a-history/

13. Merkabah mysticism - Wikipedia, accessed December 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkabah_mysticism

14. Merkabah Mysticism, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.contemplation.info/merkabah-mysticism

15. online-kabbalah.com – Understanding and experiencing Kabbalah, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.online-kabbalah.com/

16. guides.lib.umich.edu, accessed December 17, 2024, https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282911&p=6880657

17. Kabbalah - Sefaria, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.sefaria.org/texts/Kabbalah

18. Kabbalah Online - Authentic received wisdom you can rely on - Chabad, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/default_cdo/jewish/KabbalaOnlineorg.htm

19. Where to study Kabbalah in the US or (now) Online? : r/Judaism - Reddit, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/comments/g8shjz/where_to_study_kabbalah_in_the_us_or_now_online/

20. I'm interested in learning about Jewish mysticism, what are some good entry level sources? : r/religion - Reddit, accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.reddit.com/r/religion/comments/178v963/im_interested_in_learning_about_jewish_mysticism/

21. Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism - Judaism 101 (JewFAQ), accessed December 17, 2024, https://www.jewfaq.org/kabbalah_and_mysticism