Qabala

Ancient Gabala01

Qəbələ təbiəti (1)

Габала-фестиваль

Receiver and Transmitter of Pechora Radar

Qabala153

Ancient Gabala00

Qabala (also spelled as Qabalah, Kabbalah, Kabala, Cabala) is a term that refers to various mystical, esoteric teachings rooted in Judaism and Jewish mysticism. The origins of Qabala are found in the early Jewish mystical texts known as the Merkabah literature, which dates back to the late Antiquity. Over the centuries, Qabala has evolved and expanded, incorporating elements of Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and other esoteric and religious traditions. It has played a significant role in the history of Western esotericism and has influenced a wide range of spiritual and mystical practices.

Origins and Development

The earliest roots of Qabala are often traced back to the Merkabah mysticism of the 2nd century CE, which focused on visions of the chariot of God, as described in the Book of Ezekiel. This form of mysticism was concerned with the ascent of the soul and the contemplation of divine realms. By the medieval period, Qabala had developed into a more structured system of Jewish mystical thought, particularly with the creation of the Zohar, a foundational text attributed to the 13th-century Spanish Jewish mystic, Moses de León. The Zohar elaborates on the Sephirot, the ten attributes through which the infinite God reveals Himself and continuously creates both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms.

Key Concepts

Qabala introduces several key concepts and symbols that are central to its mystical and esoteric teachings:

- Sephirot: The ten emanations or attributes of God, through which the Infinite interacts with the physical and spiritual worlds. - Ein Sof: The infinite and unknowable aspect of God, beyond all human comprehension. - Tree of Life: A symbolic diagram consisting of the ten Sephirot and the 22 paths connecting them, representing the structure of the cosmos and the soul's path back to the divine source. - Gematria: A method of interpreting the Hebrew scriptures by computing the numerical value of words, based on the assumption that words with the same numerical value have related meanings.

Influence and Legacy

Qabala has had a profound influence on Western esoteric traditions, including Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, and Theosophy, among others. In the modern era, it has been embraced by a wide range of spiritual and new age movements, often in forms that diverge significantly from its Jewish roots. The study and practice of Qabala are not limited to Judaism; it has been adapted and integrated into various occult and mystical traditions around the world.

Contemporary Qabala

Today, Qabala is studied in several different forms, ranging from traditional Jewish Qabala to Christian Cabala and Hermetic Qabalah, each with its own interpretations and emphases. The spread of Qabala beyond Jewish circles has sometimes led to controversy, particularly when its teachings are detached from their original religious and cultural context.

See Also

- Mysticism - Esotericism - Occult - Merkabah mysticism - Zohar