Kabbalah is the mystical teachings in Judaism that are mainly based on the Zohar (traditionally attributed to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai) and then later elaborated upon by others such as Rabbis Isaac Luria and Israel Baal Shem.
Questions tagged [mysticism-kabbalah]
532 questions
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What is the Gorel Hagra?
What is it?
How is it performed?
May one perform it?
And, if so, when may it be used?
yydl
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Why is kabbalah so secretive?
The basic information of Jewish mysticism is readily available online and in print today. Yet kabbalah continues to be treated as knowledge that is secret and is only appropriate for people to learn after they have reached a certain age and/or…
rikitikitembo
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Why is Kabbalah sometimes referred to as "derech ha'emes"?
The Ramban (and others) often refer to pshatim that are of kabbalistic nature as being al derech ha'emes. Here is one example from Vayikra 23:36:
ועל דרך האמת כי ששת ימים עשה ה' את השמים ואת הארץ (שמות כ יא) ויום השביעי הוא שבת ואין לו בן זוג וכנסת…
Bochur613
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Conditions for Learning Kabala
What are the necessary conditions for being ready to learn Kabala?
And if one meets those conditions, what books should he start with?
Please provide a source.
ray
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understanding tzimtzum k'peshuto
According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Vilna Gaon holds that the tzimtzum is to be understood literally, that God literally withdrew Himself from the creation.
How can this be understood given that the universe's existence depends on God's…
ray
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From which side does Klipa come?
It says in some seforim, that Klipa "leeches" off the "right" side (since Gevura is about limitation, it can only give to one who is worthy, while Chesed, kindness, can give to everyone).
On the other hand, I've seen many places where Klipa is said…
ertert3terte
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Are there still anti-Kabbalah Orthodox Jewish movements?
Throughout history, there were Orthodox Jewish Rabbis who were against Kabbalah, the doctrine of reincarnation, etc.
Are there still today Jewish movements that are anti-Kabbalah?
mil
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Etz chaim question: Circular vs. linear sefirot
The Arizal explains in Etz Chaim, Palace of Adam Kadmon, how the sefirot have both linear and circular aspects. He also connects this to the soul levels, the nefashot being the circular aspects and the ruachim the linear.
The circular aspects…
Levi
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Question on Terminology used in the Teaching of the Ari regarding Levels within the Highest Emanation
In Otzrot Hayyim, Sha'ar Tant"a (Ta'amim Nekudot Tagin Otiyot), in a description of Adam Kadmon, the first form taken by the line of light of the Infinite that enters the vacated space, it says that there are four aspects to the internal being of…
paquda
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Warnings of R. Chaim Vital
I read in related questions that R. 'Haim Vital lists in his introduction to Ets 'Haim 20 conditions regarding whether one is fit to learn pnimiut. However, I cannot find such a list in the book itself. I'd like a precise source, preferably with a…
srm
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Sefirotic dominance
Background for question:
"One who is versed in kabbala knows how to act at the right time by knowing which sefira dominates at a particular time, and he cleaves to the light of the dominant sefira. He can then bring about the correct adjustment and…
Levi
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Validity of Houston Kabbalah centers?
For you Houstoners, there is a building on S Shepherd called "The Kabbalah Center" that uses a map of the 10 sefirot as it's logo. It looks like something that might exist in other cities. All the books inside are written by one man, Yehuda Berg. Is…
Ely Eastman
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What is the Zohar referring to when it speaks about 'Zer Anpin' (ז"א)?
The Zohar (and the Sulam even more so) refers to 'Zer Anpin', usually in relationship to other middos/bechinos such as Malchus. What does Zer Anpin mean?
Gavriel
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Why does Gevurah seem to be represented by 'פ' (or 'ט') in Cordavero's acronym of the sefirot in Pardes Ramonim?
Why does Gevurah seem to be represented by 'פ' in Cordavero's acronym of the sefirot in Pardes Ramonim? The best I can think of is 'פְּסַק דִין'?
Eight others are literal, but Yesod seems to be צ via Tzadik, so maybe this is a similar case?
Maybe…
Dan
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