FINDING MEANING IN MYSTICISM
Mysticism: Searching for the consciousness of the ultimate reality; the quest to have a direct encounter with the one true source of all being; Knowledge of the secrets of divine things.
Jewish exegesis (parshanut):
Pshat (literal)
Remez (allusions and hints e.g. gematria)
Drash (digging deeper around the narrative or text)
Sod (Secret, hidden, or concealed meanings).
Jewish exegesis (parshanut):
Pshat (literal)
Remez (allusions and hints e.g. gematria)
Drash (digging deeper around the narrative or text)
Sod (Secret, hidden, or concealed meanings).
Jewish mysticism or Kabbalah is believed by Kabbalists to have its roots in the time of Adam. Kabbalah aims to explain the relationship between this world and the divine through key images such as "Einsof" (the infinite), "Sfirot" (divine emanations) and in Lurianic terms, "Tsimtsum" (contraction of the divine to make space for the material). The literary emergence of Kabbalah first took form with Sefer Habahir (13th century). The Zohar, compiled by Moses de Leon (13th century) is considered to have been written in the second century by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who taught that the narratives of the Torah are only the outer clothing of the Torah. After the exile from Spain, Kabbalah found a home in the city of Tsfat, where famous rabbis congregated, most notably HaAri Hakadosh, Rabbi Isaac Luria,who developed Lurianic Kabbalah. Another famous rabbi in Tsfat was Rabbi Yosef Karo, known primarily for his Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch) which together with an overlay by the Ashkenazi rabbi, Moses Isserles, is a foundational text of Halacha to this day for both sephardim and Ashkenazim.
Some great Kabbalists of Tsfat:
- Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari Hakadosh, (Arizel):
Born 1534 in Jerusalem. Grew up in Egypt, where he studied the Zohar. Moved to Tsfat in 1570 (apparently on the instructions of Eliyahu hanavi, who had also assisted with his brit milah). Developed a system of Kabbalah known as Lurianic Kabbalah, as recorded by his student, Rabbi Chaim Vital.
- Rabbi Joseph Karo:
Born 1488 in Toledo. After the exile, as a young child, arrived in Ottoman Empire, settling in Tsfat in 1535. Became Head of the Bet Din, and compiled the "Bet Yosef", a commentary on the Tur, book of Halacha, in which he presented the various sources. His "Shulchan Aruch" meant as a way of reviewing the Bet Yosef, without all the sources and debates, became authoritative work of Halacha, especially once the Ashkenazi rabbi, Moses Isserles added Ashkenazi customs.
TEXT 1: Meshullam Cusi ben Moshe Yaakov
The wonder of the printing press- facilitated the spread of Jewish books, including Kabbalah.
TEXT 2: Rabbi Moshe ben Yosef di Trani, Responsum
Resurgence of religious authority in Eretz Yisrael, especially Tsfat.
TEXT 3: Rabbi Yosef Karo, Bet Yosef
Authority of the Zohar as long as it does not contradict Talmud: Incorporation of Kabbalistic practices in normative Judaism
TEXT 4: Rabbi Shlomo Shlomil, Sefer Ha-Ari vegurav
Practices of the Ari (the lion) and his gurim (cubs): Self mortification for achieving purity
TEXT 5: Rabbi Chaim Vital, Sha'ar Hakavanot
Esoteric (secret) nature of Kabbalah- "except for those who are worthy of this wisdom"
TEXT 6: Rabbi Chaim Vital, Hanhagot
Kabbalat shabbat service, Lecha Dodi (written by Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz) : Influence of Kabbalah on the Liturgy and traditions.
The wonder of the printing press- facilitated the spread of Jewish books, including Kabbalah.
TEXT 2: Rabbi Moshe ben Yosef di Trani, Responsum
Resurgence of religious authority in Eretz Yisrael, especially Tsfat.
TEXT 3: Rabbi Yosef Karo, Bet Yosef
Authority of the Zohar as long as it does not contradict Talmud: Incorporation of Kabbalistic practices in normative Judaism
TEXT 4: Rabbi Shlomo Shlomil, Sefer Ha-Ari vegurav
Practices of the Ari (the lion) and his gurim (cubs): Self mortification for achieving purity
TEXT 5: Rabbi Chaim Vital, Sha'ar Hakavanot
Esoteric (secret) nature of Kabbalah- "except for those who are worthy of this wisdom"
TEXT 6: Rabbi Chaim Vital, Hanhagot
Kabbalat shabbat service, Lecha Dodi (written by Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz) : Influence of Kabbalah on the Liturgy and traditions.