Judaism and Kabbalah (2): What is Kabbalah?

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By the way, do you remember the account in the Book of Acts, the riot in Ephesus Act 19:20-41? The historical event of Sinai attests to the divine source and nature of the Torah, and the Torah in turn serves as the exclusive criterion for any subsequent claims and teachings. Although all extends from a single, unified vision, the subjects with which Kabbalah deals are vast and varied.

There were hundreds of verses referring to His coming, and they were fulfilled literally Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 53. Elisha ben Abuyah became a heretic and left Judaism. In Kabbalah: New Perspectives, Yale University Press 1988, chapter 5 Mystical Techniques, Moshe Idel reinstates the meditative and experiential dimensions of Kabbalah as an inherent companion to the theosophical in academic historiography. Attainment means a clear perception and sensation, not an idea, theory or philosophy.

What is Kabbalah

Jewish mysticism differs radically from all other mystic schools. Kabbalah teaches the essential Jewish cosmology, integral to all other Torah disciplines. The student of Kabbalah is made aware of the personal as well as the collective rectification process and is encouraged to play an active part in it. Judaism is based on the public Revelation at Sinai, when the Torah was given to Israel. The historical event of Sinai attests to the divine source and nature of the Torah, and the Torah in turn serves as the exclusive criterion for any subsequent claims and teachings. Authentic Jewish mysticism is an integral part of Torah, and Torah determines what is authentic Jewish mysticism. Kabbalah is not a compound of personal insights. It is not a collection of reports of what various sages and saints had to say on the meaning of life and ultimate values — based on their mystical experiences or visions. It is not a system born in a vacuum. Kabbalah and its teachings — no what is jewish kabbalah than Jewish Law — are an integral part of the Torah. They are there, but they are not the essence or even a major part of Kabbalah. The authentic mystic, however, will not seek to manipulate and will shun interference with the natural order instituted by the Creator. The authentic mystic seeks knowledge, understanding. Kabbalah is theology in the fullest sense — including ontology, cosmogony and cosmology. It is not speculative philosophy based on human insight nor theories derived from human reasoning. It is a study, as it were, of Divinity and of the relationship between G-d and His Creation, based on the premises of revealed truth. Kabbalah takes man beyond the normative understanding of reason. It goes beyond the exoteric part of Torah and transcends normative existence. It uncovers many of the infinite layers of the secrets of life, of Creation, of the soul, of the heavenly spheres. It penetrates beyond the garments and the body of the Torah. It is the very core and soul of Torah, the ultimate revelation of Divinity — exposing the inner meaning, effects and purpose of Torah and mitzvahs. The illumination emanating from Kabbalah ignites the soul of man, setting it on fire in the awareness of a deeper and higher reality. Its study and insights are themselves mystical experiences. Kabbalah is all this — but always and exclusively within the context of Torah. As a body cannot function without a soul, so the soul is ineffective without the body. The soul of the Torah, nistar, the esoteric part of the Torah can never be separated from the body of the Torah nigleh, the exoteric parts; halacha, the commandments and practices prescribed by the Torah. Kabbalah reduced to spiritual or philosophical symbolism, stripped from the observance of the mitzvahs, is worthless mumbo-jumbo, an empty shell. This is the first what is jewish kabbalah foremost difference between Jewish mysticism and all other kinds and forms. That is why Jewish mysticism can never fall into the category of a cult. The great mystics and philosophers outside Judaism, in the East and in the West, were honest and sincere sages. They did not look for answers to justify or verify any of their preconceived notions. They were not indulging their egos. And many did discover and develop profound theories and insights which stir the imagination and move the human spirit. Some had glimpses of ultimate reality. Yet, in spite of all this, they worked in a chameleonic void. They could move only as far as finite and fallible man is able to reach on his own. Their insights or findings, therefore, are either humanly verifiable that is, logically self-evident truth or tautologies or else speculative truth which at best contains an element of possibility but never the assurance of certitude. Kabbalah, on the other hand, builds on the revealed truth of Torah. The validity of its speculative theories and subjective experiences must be, and is, tested and verified by that truth in order to be worthy of consideration, to be viable and acceptable. It has, and continually uses, objective criteria to make it consistent with, and as reliable as, halacha. We must realize that Jewish mysticism — Kabbalah and Chassidism — is not just a legitimate and respectable part and dimension of authentic Judaism, of Torah. The Torah is an organism, a complete whole in which every part is most intimately interrelated and interwoven with every other part; in which everything is interdependent upon everything else. What is jewish kabbalah Torah is an organism analogous and parallel to, and in complete interaction with, the organism of the universe in general and the organism of man in particular. No part or particle, therefore, can be taken in isolation from the others. To be sure, each of us is limited by his or her natural capacities. No one can absorb the totality of the Torah in its divine infinity. But everyone can and must actualize his or her own potential, can and must reach out as far as his or her abilities can take them. In fact, nowadays more than ever before, there is a most urgent need for the illumination and inspiration of the mystical dimension of the Torah. This very need is the great vision and contribution of the Baal Shem What is jewish kabbalah and Chassidism. This is what it is all about, and the rest is but commentary.

For example, if you're hungry and you really want to eat, and you're handed your favorite dish, then your first bite of that dish is pure bliss. The known facts and historical information may be fine, but there is no esoteric information is available there. Kabbalah does hold to the inspiration of Scripture but does not seek the plain meaning of Scripture. Every time we use anything in the physical universe, we do what little we can to raise the holy sparks within that animal, plant, or object. Before eating, we can say, May the sparks in this food be lifted up. I dare anyone to show me a clear Gospel presentation from the Kaballah. That is what I always loved about Aish: that it allowed me to delve into Judaism and still connect it back to the secular world around me. It does not matter how healthy and cool they make them look to be … it is only sugar. It utilizes the tools of philosophy, but without their modern premises. Two steps forward, one step back is a lot better than one forward, two back. Neither is it on transcendental enlightenment. We also have the revealed and hidden aspects of our lives.