numerologia
Kabbalah
Kabbalah (in Hebrew קַבָּלָה, qabbalah, "reception, tradition") is the medieval Jewish mystical and esoteric doctrine. Arising in Provence and Spain between the 12th and 13th centuries, it was systematized in the "Zohar" (Book of Splendor, late 13th century, attributed to Moses de León). It teaches that the Torah has hidden levels of meaning that can be grasped through deep interpretations.
Main elements
Tree of Life (Etz Chaim): graph of 10 sefirot and 22 paths. Ten sefirot: divine emanations through which God manifests in the cosmos (Keter, Hokhmah, Binah, Hesed, Geburah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, Malkuth). Four worlds: levels of reality (Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, Assiah). Gematria: numerical reading of sacred words. Meditation practices: breathing, recitation of sacred names (Moses Cordovero, Abraham Abulafia).
Christian and occult Kabbalah
During the Renaissance, Kabbalah was adopted by Christian thinkers (Pico della Mirandola, Reuchlin) who integrated it with nascent Hermeticism. Later it entered French and English occultism (Eliphas Lévi, Golden Dawn) as "occult Kabbalah", often far from the original Jewish tradition. It must be distinguished from Jewish Kabbalah practiced today in Orthodox and Hasidic communities.
FAQ
Difference between Jewish and occult Kabbalah?
The Jewish one is part of the religious tradition of Israel. The occult is a Western esoteric reworking, often far from Jewish practice.
Does Madonna practice Kabbalah?
Madonna and other celebrities have attended the Kabbalah Centre, a contemporary American group linked to Philip Berg. It is considered a popular and contested version by most traditional rabbinic schools.
Can I learn it without being Jewish?
Orthodox Jewish schools reserve the study of Kabbalah to trained adult Jewish men. Occult schools are open to all, but with different traditions.