Kabbalah FAQ

25 Most asked questions on the Kabbalah

1. What does the word Kabbalah mean?
 
The word Kabbalah has its root in the Hebrew verb Lekabel - to receive. It can also mean to accept or be accepted.
 
2. What is Kabbalah?
 
The Kabbalah is the Jewish mystical and esoteric wisdom. It teaches the unfolding of the worlds, the various ways of guidance of these worlds, the role of man in the creation, the will of the Creator and so on. No other writings explain in details; the creation of this world and the ones above it, the lights or energies that influence its guidance, nor the final goal of everything. These writings are based on the Torah, on ancient and newer Jewish texts, and mostly on the Zohar.
 
3. What does it mean “to receive”?
 
Kabbalah comes from the verb Lekabel (to receive), but to receive, it is first necessary to want, and to become a Keli (recipient) able to receive and contain this knowledge. A person has to merit and be accepted to receive this knowledge, and hold it by living in the path of Torah and rightness to strengthen himself constantly.
 
 
4. What are the subjects covered in the Kabbalah?
 
Beside the main subjects covered in the Kabbalah as the unfolding of the worlds and their guidance, the real meaning and goals of the Mitsvot and prayers, it comprises of numerous other sciences as: astrology, cosmology, Gematria, metaphysics, demonology, physiognomy, palmistry, healing, alchemy, reincarnation, exorcism, prophecy etc.
 
5. What are the writings that make the Kabbalah?
 
The base of all the writings of the Kabbalah is the Zohar, written in the second century by Rabbi Shim’on Bar Yo’hai. Other important works are the “Sepher HaYetsira” - the Book of Formation, Kitve HaAri” – the Writings of the Ari Z’al etc. All these writings try to explain and comment on the secrets hidden and alluded in the Torah.
 
6. Why is there free will for men?
 
Since the intention of the Creator is to bestow goodness on His creatures, all the levels of creation were put in place so His kindness could emanate to them, yet in such a way that they would be able to receive it. Complete rigor will be the destruction of anything not perfect, while complete kindness will permit everything without restriction. However, these two aspects are necessary to make the guidance of kindness and justice and to give man the possibility of serving the Creator by their free will.
 
After the Shvirat HaKelim (breaking of the vessels) with the emanation of the lights of the name MaH (45) and BaN (52), G-od could have done the Tikun (repair) of all the worlds, but then, there would not have been a reason for the participation of man in this Tikun and a possibility to acquire merit.
 
For man to have a possibility to act and repair the creation, G-od restrained in a way, his outflow of kindness to this world, to give men the merit of doing the Tikun with their free will. It is by their free will to get closer to their Creator and learn His ways, that men merit their place in the higher worlds when they depart.
 
7. What are the good and bad impulse in man?
 
The Yetser Hatov corresponds to the good or positive impulse in man, the Yetser Hara’ is his bad or negative impulse.
 
The good deeds of man have an effect on the four higher worlds, his bad deeds; on the four lower worlds. It is only when man sins, that the negative side can grow in strength. The negative aspect grows inside him; this is his Yetser Hara’, it cuts him off from the higher worlds, and uproots him from the Kedushah.
 
The Yetser Hara’ almost constantly tries to seduce him, and make him stumble, while the Yetser Hatov, on the other side, tries to attract him to Torah and Mitsvot and to help him do the Tikun (rectification) of his Neshama.
 
The two aspects of Yetser Tov and Yetser Hara’ were created to allow man to choose good over bad by his own free choice.
 
8. What is time in the Kabbalah?
 
There is a higher dimension where there is not a notion called time. Past, present and future are one. Man being a limited entity physically and temporally, it is not possible for him to comprehend this reality.
 
Everything, past, present and future has a purpose, and in the end, all that is and happens, will be clear and comprehensible.
 
9. What do we learn in the Kabbalah?
 
In the Kabbalah we learn how and why G-od created the world, in what way He governs it, the provenance of the souls and angels, the purpose of the existence of evil, the systems that are put in place for the true guidance of the worlds, and more.
 
The Kabbalah teaches the unfolding of the worlds, the various powers of influence on these worlds, the role of man in the creation, the will of the Creator and so on. It explains in details; the creation of the present and previous worlds, the different lights or energies that make their guidance, the final goal of man and the creation.
 
10. How can one start to learn the Kabbalah?
 
The first step is starting to learn the Torah, the Halakhot, the different prayers, adopt an adequate behavior and preferably develop a good knowledge of Hebrew. The second step is to find an experienced and knowledgeable rabbi to learn with.
 
11. Why has the study of Kabbalah been discouraged by some?
 
All the rabbinical authorities have always agreed on the ultimate importance and truthfulness of the Kabbalah, they just did not agree on the way this knowledge should be disseminated. Some insisted that only a very selective group should be allowed to learn Kabbalah, and only after attaining a high level of purity and comprehension of all the other writings. Others believed that it should be more accessible and taught to most Jews. During the 16th century with the coming of Shabbetai Tsevi who was called the “Kabbalistic Messiah”, the Jewish community was divided between his followers and the “non-believers”. After converting to Islam, this false Messiah caused a big deception and mistrust in the teachings of the Kabbalah. The rabbinical authorities of the time became even more severe with the learning of Kabbalah and some were even persecuted for learning or writing on the subject.
 
12. Is it not forbidden to study the Kabbalah before the age of forty?
 
This decree was canceled about 450 years ago, as it was confirmed and written by Rav Avraham Azulay:
“What was decreed from above; not to study the Kabbalah openly, was for a limited time only, until the end of the year 5260. From there and after, it was allowed, and from the year 5300 it was decreed that it is a “Mitsvah” (commandment). (Or Ha’Hamah, introduction).
 
Also two of the most important Kabbalists of all times; the Ari Z’al and the Ram’hal started very young as they both died before the age of forty.
 
13. Can women study Kabbalah?
 
I personally have never seen an interdiction written by the main masters of Kabbalah forbidding women to study Kabbalah. Some even say that women could be more sensitive to understand this knowledge.
 
14. Can non-Jews study the Kabbalah?
 
Non-Jews that are attracted by the Kabbalah could get an “intellectual” insight of its concepts and a feeling of well-being by its values, but have no direct participation in its realization, since they do not observe its intricate relations with the commandments of the Torah and the prayers. For example; when praying three times a day, we participate in the unification of particular lights or energies for the guidance of the world, by observing the Shabbat this participation is enhanced, and our rituals correspond to very particular actions that are reflected on these energies. About all of the other prayers, rituals or commandments of the Torah are also in direct relation with these lights or energies that are in charge of the guidance, and the manifestation of G-od’s presence. This is the reason why throughout the history, all the main and important Kabbalists were very meticulous in observing all the commandments of the Torah in their least details.
 
15. Does the learning of the Kabbalah require a certain way of life?
 
The serious learning of Kabbalah requires conforming to a way of life where the commandments of the Torah are sincerely observed. A self-discipline, an honest desire to do good with all and to accomplish G-od’s will. It is also recommended to seek the guidance of renowned Rabbis that have a strong knowledge of this science.
 
16. What is the essential knowledge?
 
The essential knowledge is the one of the will of the Creator and His ways of guidance in this existence, as explained in the Kabbalah. The other writings explain in the least details “how” to do, but only the Zohar and the Kabbalah explain to us the exact reasons, and effects of all our prayers and actions.
 
I believe that most yearn to serve at their best the Creator, but have been accustomed to execute and not seek further, or were kept away from this knowledge. It is now time to know and learn and make known this magnificent science, as it is written and recommended.
 
17. What is the Torah in the Kabbalah?
 
The Kabbalah is the mystical and esoteric explanation of the Torah. All the profound secrets explained in the Kabbalah, are alluded in the letters, words and different stories narrated in the Torah.
 
The Torah contains four levels of comprehension, of which the highest is the Sod (secret). At this level, we understand that our Tefilot (prayers) and the accomplishment of each one of the Mitsvot (commandments), has a direct influence on the superior worlds and on their guidance.
 
The Torah has 248 positive and 365 negative commandments. Similarly, there are 613 veins and bones to man, 613 parts to the soul, and 613 lights in each Sephira or Partsuf (configuration), this number is not arbitrary, as there are important interrelations and interactions between them.
 
Through the knowledge of Kabbalah, we can get to a level of true understanding of the will of the Creator, and in a way “decode” the profound secrets of our holy Torah.
 
18. Why is G-od called “Ein Sof” (Infinite) in the Kabbalah?
 
“Ein Sof” is the Name of G-od that is the most used in the Kabbalah. His light is perfect, and cannot be measured by any definition or limiting terms. If we think about definitions, we introduce a notion of limit, or absence of its opposite. Being ourselves distinct separate beings, we cannot grasp the concept of the “non-distinct”. Everything we know is finite, by having a measure or an opposite.
 
We therefore use the name “Ein Sof” (without limit) since we know and admit that G-od and the concept of limitlessness or without end is beyond our human comprehension.
 
19. What is a Sephira ?
 
The light of G-od is unique and of equal force and quality. A Sephira is in a way a “filter” which transforms this light in a particular force or attribute, by which the Ein Sof (Infinite) directs the worlds.
 
Each Sephira is composed of a vessel called Keli (recipient), which holds its part of light called Or (light). There is no difference in the Or (light) itself; the difference comes from the particularity, or position of the Sephira.
 
20. What is a PARTSUF – (configuration)?
 
Once the Sephira “filters” and transforms the higher light or energy in a particular force or attribute by which the Creator guides the worlds, it can now act alone or with others. Partsuf in Aramaic means face, visage or countenance. A face is composed of many and various elements as eyes, nose, mouth, forehead and so on, but all are coordinated as one single unit. A face is unique; it shows the particular identity of a person and is the main vehicle of communication. A Partsuf also is a unique configuration of one or more elements (Sephirot) acting in coordination like a single unity.
 
21. What are the different types of configurations?
 
There are two different types of configurations: masculine and feminine. The masculine bestow kindness, the feminine bestow rigor. The masculine corresponds to 'Hesed (kindness), the feminine to Gevurah (rigor). There are also primary and secondary configurations, which by their union and influence will make the guidance.
 
22. How is the Guidance manifested?
 
The Kabbalah explains in details the systems that are put in place for the true guidance of the world, so that we may understand His will. It teaches us that the world is guided by an extremely complex system of forces or lights, which through their interactions provoke chain reactions that impact directly on man and the guidance of the worlds.
 
23. What are the Mitsvot (commandments) in the Kabbalah?
 
The Torah contains four levels of comprehension, of which the highest is the Sod (secret). At this level, we understand that the accomplishment of each one of the Mitsvot (commandments) has a direct influence on the superior worlds and on their guidance.
 
The Kabbalah teaches us these complex systems of forces or lights that affect the guidance, their various interactions and their numerous ramifications, and how they are affected by the accomplishment of the Mitsvot.
  
24. What is the relation between the Mitsvot and the Sephirot?
 
As there are 613 parts to each Sephira and Partsuf, 613 veins and bones to man, and 613 parts to the soul, there are also 613 Mitsvot. This number is not arbitrary as there are important interrelations and interactions between them.
 
By accomplishing the Mitsvot and the Tefilot (prayers), men do the necessary Tikunim (rectifications) to detach and eliminate the Klipot (husks) which are the manifestation of the negative force that obstruct the lights of the Sephirot, conceal man from his root and from the light.
 
The guidance of the worlds is done through the influence of the different Sephirot and Partsufim (configurations). It is dependent on the different positioning and interactions of all these masculine and feminine configurations, since they have a direct effect on the measure and balance of the factors of kindness, rigor and mercy. The masculine Partsufim bestow kindness, the feminine bestow rigor. It is by their unions, that different equilibriums of the two forces of kindness and rigor make the guidance.
  
25. What is a Tefilah (prayer)?
 
A prayer is a ritual composed of particular words and parts of sacred writings, to help and participate in the unification of the superior lights (Partsufim) for an outflow of abundance and for the guidance of the world. The order of the Tefilot (prayers) is based on the systems of ascension of the worlds, as explained in the Kabbalah.
 
At this level of comprehension, we understand that our Tefilot have a direct influence on the superior worlds and on their guidance. When one understands the systems and actions of the Tefilot, he realizes the importance of our rituals, because only man, by praying and the accomplishment of the Mitsvot (commandments), can influence these very powerful forces.