The Jewish mystical doctrine most commonly referred to is Kabbalah (also spelled Cabala or Qabalah). Kabbalah is an esoteric method, discipline, and school of thought within Jewish mysticism that seeks to uncover the hidden, divine aspects of the Torah and the universe. It is grounded in the public Revelation at Sinai when the Torah was given to Israel, making it unique among mystical traditions for its firm basis in revealed scripture. Kabbalah explores the nature of God, the cosmos, and the soul through concepts such as the ten sefirot (divine emanations) and the four worlds of creation. It has evolved through various historical stages, including early mystical visions in biblical prophecy, apocalyptic literature, medieval Kabbalistic texts like the Zohar, and Lurianic Kabbalah which introduced new metaphysical ideas in the 16th century. The tradition emphasizes esoteric knowledge secretly transmitted within the Jewish community, aiming for spiritual enlightenment, communion with the divine, and cosmic repair (tikkun).
Key Features of Jewish Mystical Doctrine (Kabbalah)
- Based on Torah and the Revelation at Sinai, not purely speculative but divinely rooted.
- Centers on the sefirot, symbolic divine attributes or emanations through which God interacts with the world.
- Describes the process of creation, divine emanation, and the spiritual structure of reality.
- Includes mystical prayer, meditation, and ethical self-purification as methods of attaining closeness to God.
- Historical texts include the Zohar (13th century), Sefer Yetzirah, and writings of key Kabbalists like Moses de León and Isaac Luria.
- Has influenced movements such as Hasidism, which blends personal mystical experience with Jewish law and ethics.
This mystical doctrine is often considered secretive and transmitted only to initiated students to preserve the sanctity and depth of the teachings.
