What is Kabbalah? Where does it come from? Why is it so mysterious and how does it fit into our world today?
Kabbalah means "to receive." Specifically it means to receive an inner revelation that is related to the study of Torah in the larger sense of learning and also in the immediate area of self knowledge where we apply that knowledge to our experiences in general.
Kabbalah comes from the mystical traditions of Judaism where knowledge is handed down from mouth to ear across the span of generations. What is this knowledge that is being whispered from one to another? It is the study of Torah in all of its myriad revelations. You see it isn't enough to simply read the writings of Moses for the beautiful and sometimes complex stories that are contained here. What we seek after in Kabbalah is to find out ways to link together the writing in Torah to find the common threads that reveal what lies beneath the surface. This may be accomplished in many ways such as relating paragraphs or sentences or even specific words in Torah to each other to illustrate a meaning that otherwise has not come to light. Many times these meanings are yes passed down through the generations however there are numerous works that convey the way of Kabbalah such as the Zohar, the Bahir and the Sepher Yetzirah. There are many others too but these are among the most widely read.
Kabbalah also provides a system of study that is represented by a special glyph called the Tree of Life.
There are ten spheres on this design each one of them representing a specific energy level of creation.
The first level is called Keter or the crown. It represents the highest source the indefinable expression.
It is the top of this diagram where the energy initiates and bursts through into idea and then form.
Next on the right hand side of the diagram is the energy sphere called Chochmah or Wisdom.
Here the idea is inspiration. The best is yet to come. Consider it to be the first flash.
Directly across from Chochmah is the 3rd sphere called Binah on the left called Understanding. This is where following that first flash of inspiration we begin to see how the idea will work itself out.
We should note here that there is a hidden sphere or rather a nexus that lies where Chochmah
Binah and Keter intersect and this is the sphere of Daat, Knowledge. Now the idea is not only fully
understood but the way to transmit it is also given.
Below Chochmah directly beneath it on the right is Chesed or Mercy.
The energy flows through with certainty on its way to fulfill the will of that initial inspiration. At this point it flows freely easily,
Opposite Chesed the 5th sphere is called Gevurah, or Justice. The energy now is tempered much the same way that electricity is restricted by a resistor in order to increase its amperage the same is true here with Gevurah.
There in the middle of this diagram stands Tifereth called Beauty. The energy has achieved stasis or harmony and in its own right the beginnings of the upward flow are established.
The seventh sphere called Hod or Splendor. Located on the left below Gevurah it radiates the energy now with purpose and intention.
Across from Hod lies Netzach on the right below Binah. It is known as Victory. Here the energy is channeled precisely and elegantly to ensure the end result from that initial flash of inspiration.
The third of the middle spheres completing the triad of hod and netzach is yesod or foundation. The form of the inspiration is now on solid ground ready for the filling in of the mold that occurs in the next sephirah or sphere.
Malchus or Malchut completes the Tree of Life. It is the Kingdom of creation. Here the idea has come fully into manifestation and reflects everything back to its creator represented by Keter above.
This diagram is an endless source of study and inspiration and we will come back to it in the future to illustrate the basic concepts being discovered. It is a way to organize the conceptual relationships too that we see occurring throughout the study of Kabbalah which is why in this opening explanation of Kabbalah I present it here.
Kabbalah takes us inside of ourselves to discover and uncover the mysteries that lie within our own psyche by providing the means of composition. This kind of self study will always be a mystery special to each of us as we mine our own answers within. Then through our studies we begin to find out that by seeing these connections that take place within Torah and life that we may apply our inspirations to every day life in order to gain the high ground in every situation.
Is there more to Kabbalah than this? Absolutely. Twenty five years of study have provided endless material for revelation. The more you know the more you'll grow. Oh one more thing. That initial flash of inspiration in Kabbalah is called the Zimzum or the lightning flash. It describes how our world comes into being and is coming into being. It is in that spirit that a study of Kabbalah is always a new beginning for just as we are coming to the end of one discussion it always leads to the beginning of another where inspiration begins in that Crown of creation called Keter and resolves into Malchus the Kingdom.
Yes there is always more. Stay tuned.
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