In What year was "Al Pi Kabalah" first quoted for a Halachic ruling?

Question

The phrase "al pi Kabalah" (based on Kabalah) is often used in teshuvot for various minhagim or halachot.

When is the first recorded instance of somebody recording the Halacha either "al pi Kabalah" or by quoting the Zohar? To clarify, I want to know the Year. It does not matter if they were a major posek or not, just as long a they were mentioning practical rather than theoretical halacha. If they are quoting the zohar they have to mention it by name.

I voted to close because the other question asks for all books of the class of which this question asks for the earliest member. cc @WAF — msh210, Jan 05 '14 at 03:58
@avi, sorry, I said books, but I didn't really mean it. The other question asks about "authors or codifiers of halacha", like this one. — msh210, Jan 05 '14 at 05:44
@avi you want quotes not brought in books? Where would you find such a quote? — ertert3terte, Jan 05 '14 at 05:47
@ShmuelBrin he said. T'shuvos. Not all of them have been compiled into books -- not by a long shot. — msh210, Jan 05 '14 at 05:57
Regardless, the year is what I care about, and is what the question asks for. That other answer isn't exhaustive by any means! I also don't care if they were a major posek or not. — avi, Jan 05 '14 at 06:35
@msh210 That question is limited to "major authors or codifiers of halacha" whereas this one isn't. I support reopening. — Double AA, Jan 05 '14 at 06:44
@DoubleAA, and you have support from one reopen-voter. Go ahead. avi, I suggest you further [edit] this to clarify the difference between it and the other question. — msh210, Jan 05 '14 at 22:03
Avi, are you looking for a source quoting the Zohar specifically, or any legal ruling based on 'the hidden Torah'? If the latter, than the answer would be someone very early (all of the Chasidei Ashkenaz, for example) — הנער הזה, Oct 28 '14 at 18:49
Would Beit Yosef 's statement on Tur Orach Chayim 426 "והר"י גיקטילי"א בעל שערי אורה כתב בתשובה שעל פי הקבלה אין לברך על חידוש הלבנה עד שיעברו עליה ז' ימים" qualify with regard to R. Yosef Gikatilla (especially considering it is brought le-Halakhah in Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 426:4, even against the Rif, the Rambam and the Rosh who say one is obligated to do Qidush Levanah from the first day)? — Tamir Evan, Dec 04 '14 at 20:36

score 4 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 04 '14 at 18:40

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Seems like the Bet Yosef is one of the earliest to quote the Zohar as the source of a Halacha.

The first instance, IIRC, is the various details of Negel Vaser, like pouring from one vessel to another and not using the water for anything else.

He actually prefaces this section with an announcement [caveat?] that these Halachot are not found in writings of other Poskim:

וכן כתכ בספר הזוהר פרשת וישב על פסוק ויאמר האיש נסעו מזה ועוד כתובים שם בנטילת ידים שחרית חדושין שאינם נמצאים בפוסקים וז״ל ...‏

Source: Tur Orach Chaim Ch. 4 - 4th wide line.

The Bet Yosef [on the Tur] was completed in 1547, according to Wikipedia in Hebrew.

edited Dec 04 '14 at 18:40

Tamir Evan

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answered Oct 28 '14 at 11:50

Danny Schoemann

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(1) Where does the Bet Yosef mention the obligation to wash Negel Vaser before doing anything else being from the Zohar? Ba'er Heitev on Orach Chayim 1:1 s.v. ha-Shachar comments on the Bach's surprise at the Beit Yosef for not having mentioned the Zohar 's position on the importance of Netilat Yadayim before all else. (2) Hebrew Wikipedia's article on the Beit Yosef says it's writing (which took 25 years) was completed in 1547. – Tamir Evan Nov 27 '14 at 18:02
@TamirEvan - I wrote that from [faulty] memory (which is why I said IIRC.) I'm going to edit it. – Danny Schoemann Dec 02 '14 at 08:16
I do have another question: Considering the Beit Yosef is actually a commentary on the Arba'ah Turim, bringing various Halakhic sources to bare on the latter, with the Shulchan Arukh bringing the author's actual Pesaq (and especially considering it's introduction claiming to decide Halakhah based on the majority of the Rif, the Rambam and the Rosh, unless existing custom or majority of other Poseqim is otherwise), does the Beit Yosef qualify as R. Karo making a Halachic ruling based on Kabalah (or as "recording the Halacha either 'al pi Kabalah' or by quoting the Zohar")? – Tamir Evan Dec 04 '14 at 19:02
@TamirEvan - that's a fascinating question - which should be sent to the community for its own consideration. – Danny Schoemann Dec 07 '14 at 07:23
I believe the Beis Yosef's uncle was very into paskening from kabbala, perhaps even more than the Beis Yosef. His responsa are cited by the Beis Yosef IIRC. – mevaqesh Apr 01 '15 at 22:49

In What year was "Al Pi Kabalah" first quoted for a Halachic ruling?

1 Answers1