JWST 347 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Christian Kabbalah, Practical Kabbalah, Kabbalah

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Jewish Studies
• Course: JWST 347
• Professor: Rachel Manekin

Document Summary

Jewish mysticism started developing in the late 2nd century. Kabbalah= a form of mysticism, means received-like tradition: started developing in provence in 12th century and spain in 13th century. Ein-sof-doesn"t have an end (infinite) the infinite god. Developed theory of symbols because it couldn"t be explained rationally. Sefirot-from word sapphire: eminations from ein-sof, like attributes through which he reveals himself and creates the world, complex system of symbols, 10 of them, right side= male, left side=female, middle= combination. Mystical union (devekut) speculative: the end of the mystical path is devekut, cleaving to god. A state of mind in which one"s heart and mind are constantly with and about god => leads to receiving the holy spirit: kabbalah= interested in the divine (diety) Used mathematical combinations of letters and names of god as formulas to drive out demons, cure sick and poor, and protect infants: usually rabbis had this knowledge.