| ay have read in the popular media of | | | | sixteenth century Safed/ This town in the upper |
| “Kabala”. People in the limelight such as | | | | Galilee in the modern day state of Israel, became a |
| Madonna have become involved with this mystical | | | | center of Jewish mysticism ; its foremost teachers of |
| aspect of spirituality. You may well of wondered about | | | | Kabbalah included Issac Luria ( 1534- 1572). A practical |
| Cabala – what it is all about and even if in any | | | | or miracle-working mystic, Luria claimed that the |
| manner are Cabbalists related in any manner to | | | | prophets of creation had been revealed to him |
| Scientology in its various aspects. Or even has this | | | | personally, by none other than the prophet |
| aspect of Jewish spirituality taken over in the limelight | | | | “Elijah”. Luria believed that human beings |
| by any manner from Scientology and its followers and | | | | could attain full identification with the Divine Spirit |
| precepts. | | | | through intense concentration, referred to as |
| Literally in the Hebrew language (the historic language | | | | kavvanah”. |
| of the bible), the word Kabala translates as | | | | This theory was described by Luria’s disciple |
| “tradition”. Kabbalah as a spiritual | | | | Hayim Vital, in his book “Et Hayim” |
| practice can be summarized and explained as a form, | | | | (which translates fully as “The Tree of |
| or even in many authorities’ eyes, as Jewish | | | | Life” Another famous Kabbalist. Moshe |
| mysticism. | | | | Cordovero, formulated Kabbalistic teachings in a |
| Kabbalah can be said to be an attempt to fathom the | | | | philosophic system. His contemporary, Isiah Hurwitz |
| mysteries of the master of the universe and the | | | | (1555- 1625) interpreted the teachings of Judaism in |
| mysteries of the creation of entirety. The Kabbalists | | | | light of the Kabala. Isiah Hurwitz sought with the other |
| developed a complete and full philosophic system | | | | inspired mystics of his generation to hasten the coming |
| during the Middle Ages. The Talmud itself contains | | | | and arrival of the Messiah. |
| mystical interpretations of the Biblical story of creation. | | | | It can be said that during extreme hardship as well |
| With the appearance of the “Zohar” in | | | | difficult and strenuous times for Jews and Jewish |
| the thirteen (13’ Th) centuries, the study of | | | | communities far flung across Europe, Asia and Africa, |
| Kabbalah gained great renown and popularity. | | | | that the teachings of Kabala greatly contributed to the |
| Jewish mysticism attracted itself to many and varied | | | | rise of messianic hopes and in time influenced Hasidism |
| remarkable personalities , some of whom even | | | | profoundly. Indeed fully Jewish folklore grew and |
| considered themselves even to be the messiah or | | | | thrived on the Kabbala’s poetic and magical |
| Messiach” themselves Amazingly even one | | | | elements. |
| such event transfixed itself with Abraham Abulafia ( | | | | In summary it can be said that while Kabala, its |
| 1240 – 1291) who regarded himself as the | | | | teachings and philosophy are new on the mainstream |
| fore-runner of said Messiah / Messiach, even | | | | limelight. On the other hand Kabbala and Cabbalist |
| attempting to convert none less than the Pope himself | | | | teachings are nothing new. The come with a solid and |
| to Judaism. | | | | deep historical history and foundings’. |
| Kabalistic teaching gained in intensity and scope in | | | | |