As I start my deeper study and reading on the topic of Kabbalah – I want to write my notes, describing main subjects of Kabbalah. Sure for such wide and amazing movement in mystical Judaism, person need to dedicate many years of his life. But there is always a point to begin.
I.
Meaning and subject of Kabbalah ~
Kabbalah
name comes from the Jewish word with meaning “receiving tradition” or “receiving”
from the Hebrew verb “qabala”. It deals with explaining the ontological aspects
of the universe, creation and creator. Kabbalah deals with philosophical
questions to explain relationship between unchanging, eternal Ein Sof (infinity,
divine Source) and the mortal, finite universe (creation).
It
explains existential questions on basis of Jewish tradition, and Hebrew Bible
(Torah) adding mystical approach.
Historical
roots:
Kabbalah
appeared in 12th and 13. century in France Spain
Levels
of interpretations:
According
to Kabbalah we need to read the deeper meaning (signs, symbols) in the text of
Torah. In this way there are 4 different levels of interpretations of religious
text:
- Peshat – simple” –direct
interpretations taking the meaning in the way it is written
- Remez (hints) – allegorical
reading, based on symbols within words.
- Derash (seek) – Rabbinic meanings,
often in comparison with similar words and phrases
- Sod (secret) – esoteric,
metaphysical meaning of the text
The
ultimate intention of Kabbalah – to bring the humans and all aspects of reality
into harmony with the divine plane and divine purpose.
~
Three basic denominations of Kabbalah ~
1.
Theoretical Kabbalah – main focus of it are Zohar and Luria,
understands and explains the divine realm.
2.
Meditative Kabbalah – with authors Abulafia and Isaac of Acre,
it strives to achieve mystical union with God.
3.
Practical Kabbalah – magico-theurgical appears in manuscripts –
directed to Divine realm and world, use of rituals and white magic.
Kabbalah
was transmitted orally by Jewish patriarch and sages from the Bible, making
that knowledge available to specially chosen people. Other important books for
study Kaballah are Sefer Yetzira (Book of Creation) and Berit Menuhah.
{
Kabalah is not a religion, but rather theological approach on earlier basic
texts of Judaism (Torah, Mishna, G`mara), with emphasize on meaning of
existence, essence of God and his creation”, ontology, cosmogony, divinity.
Kabalah deals with the hidden aspects of the Universe and divine forms (light),
that has been revealed to human mind. It uncovers many of the layers of
exoteric world, reaching to the depth of esoteric worlds. It explains the
hidden aspects of divine Worlds of Light (or Roots of creation) It shows the
illuminated soul of human beings reaching to the higher, deeper reality of
Divine. Kabbalah is called the soul of “Torah” }
According to Kabbalah in the spiritual world there is no time and space. The spiritual
world Is build on conditions of “feelings”, spheres of influence, that are
connected to specific inner qualities of human. In the spiritual world, if the
two feelings senses are equal, the are determined as closed. If they are different,
they are determined as “far away”. But if they have totally the same qualities,
feelings, intentions, they are one whole, they are connected in one sphere.
How
we perceive the spiritual reality? – Kabbalah – by going out of the box of
“ego” or view of Self (limited perception) and to the altruistic world of
pleasure of giving” – unlimited perception.
Kabbalists
explain that just 2 things exist in reality – Creator and 2. Created realities.
All what we feel here is the qualities of Creator and quality of Created
reality.
The
Creator -> upper world - . made of will of giving/ bestowing
The
creation -> lower world – will of receiving
To
go beyond ur
Heichalot
traditions – meditations and visual practices on supernal divine rooms
(chambers, spheres) and angelic beings. Aiming purification of the soul – not
knowledge.
nina Lea-nour *
angel `S medium
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