What is "Kabbalah" or "Cabala"..?

[billcu1]

2110 The first commandment forbids honoring gods other than the one Lord who has revealed himself to his people. It proscribes superstition and irreligion. Superstition in some sense represents a perverse excess of religion; irreligion is the vice contrary by defect to the virtue of religion.

Superstition

2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.41

Idolatry

2112 The first commandment condemns polytheism. It requires man neither to believe in, nor to venerate, other divinities than the one true God. Scripture constantly recalls this rejection of “idols, [of] silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.” These empty idols make their worshippers empty: "Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them."42 God, however, is the "living God"43 who gives life and intervenes in history.

2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon."44 Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast"45 refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.46

2114 Human life finds its unity in the adoration of the one God. The commandment to worship the Lord alone integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration. Idolatry is a perversion of man’s innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who "transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God."47

Divination and magic

2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

Irreligion

2118 God’s first commandment condemns the main sins of irreligion: tempting God, in words or deeds, sacrilege, and simony.

2119 Tempting God consists in putting his goodness and almighty power to the test by word or deed. Thus Satan tried to induce Jesus to throw himself down from the Temple and, by this gesture, force God to act.49 Jesus opposed Satan with the word of God: "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test."50 The challenge contained in such tempting of God wounds the respect and trust we owe our Creator and Lord. It always harbors doubt about his love, his providence, and his power.51

Catechism of the Catholic Church, vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm

If jewish mysticism in superstition what about christian mysticism. Like lecto divna and Theologica Germanica and other Theologicals? What about Teresa of Avil and John of the Cross? They must be teaching superstition. The Benedictines must be very superstitious in their teachings.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystical_theology

And theologica mystica?

 

[billcu1]

A type of Jewish mysticism of sorts. It’s odd. It’s written “Kabbalah” because that’s what the Hebrew letters transliterate to.

And part of Jesus’ tradition as a jew and therefore part of ours. Kabbalah speaks of the Tikkun and a messiah coming to restore creation. It gives much insight.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

If jewish mysticism in superstition what about christian mysticism. Like lecto divna and Theologica Germanica and other Theologicals? What about Teresa of Avil and John of the Cross? They must be teaching superstition. The Benedictines must be very superstitious in their teachings.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystical_theology

And theologica mystica?

Christian mysticism is quite legitimate, not full of occult secret codes and pantheism and such nonsense.

I particularly dislike it when Christians describe Kabbalah as Jewish mysticism, since this implies it is part of the legitimate revealed religion of the Old Testament. Kabbalah is a Medieval and Renaissance-era phenomenon, a paganistic attempt, like so many others that have arisen throughout the world and throughout history, to simulate mysticism through mere obscurantism.

 

[billcu1]

Christian mysticism is quite legitimate, not full of occult secret codes and pantheism and such nonsense.

I particularly dislike it when Christians describe Kabbalah as Jewish mysticism, since this implies it is part of the legitimate revealed religion of the Old Testament. Kabbalah is a Medieval and Renaissance-era phenomenon, a paganistic attempt, like so many others that have arisen throughout the world and throughout history, to simulate mysticism through mere obscurantism.

That just sounds like the "I’m right and everybody else is wrong"thinking. Or you have to believe as I do. We are to continually seek and trust in God. Not fear. God will lead and guide into the truth. And just when you find truth it’s gone and hides behind another veil. And continuously until God shows us truth. All that has been called evil has only been called evil to conceal its holiness. If your looking for something to grab you you’ll only find fear teachings. THat’s not of God. You’ll know if your being shown or straying because you will tempt God and a properly formed conscience by Grace will let you know that.

How could Mose speak for God then. Being “schooled in all the wisdom of Egypt” and an Egyptian Magician like his father-in-law who taught him all. Chief of the Egyptian Magicians Ziporah’s father. Mose caused a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day. But whatever you do “do all in the name of the Lord.”

 

[Kasmalim]

Wrong. You’re following a fad, not the real thing. Kabbalah is an ancient form of study that is quite complex and part of an ongoing, virtually endless, commentary on creation, God, the soul, etc. in the lives of those whose lives are DEDICATED for only this. The “Madonna” version (God forgive her) is nothing but hogwash and new age junk and is intended for the garbage. To study, truly study, Judaic mysticism one must, ultimately, learn Hebrew and acquire a large and sophisticated library. There are things in the “Sepher Yetzirah” that are eye opening, yes, and even mathematically just about correct concerning the true age of creation. But Jesus is not Adam Kadmon, He is nothing to this belief system, merely a “prophet” at best. My advice: I spent years plumbing the mystical Kabbalah and all it did was cause me grief. Run.

Yes, it seems the OP is getting involved in some Madonna kabbalah-center type Kabbalah. Most of the real Kabbalah isn’t about creating joy and lasting fulfillment, in the same way Physics is not about creating joy and lasting fulfillment.

And, yes, I think Kabbalah should be avoided, and in my opinion, for a Christian, Catholic Mysticism is a much better alternative.

 

[futureperfect5]

LOL … I think that you asked and answered you question, “What is Kabbalah” to start a hopefully intelligent conversation … you are not finding that here, especially in this response below. Let me comment on some of the responses that you received.

Jesus himself (a Jew) studied the Zohar and followed Kabbalah as all faithful Jews did in his days. Kabbalah is a spritual path suggested through mystical teachings … there are many intepretations: none of them are “right” or “wrong” In fact, it is widely thought that Jesus was attempting to encourage interest in Kabbalah, not a new “religion” when he went on his spiritual journey.

My priest, an Irish Roman Catholic Jesuit, told us that we could not be “good Catholics” without being “good Jews” as Jesus was. So, in my opinion (which I am entitled to have without facing criticism or fear of being called a heretic, LOL) is that study of the Zohar deepens your Catholic faith instead of diluting it with Protestantism focusing only on the New Testament as is the trend in American society. Most Jesuits have read the Kabbalah, whether that admit it to laity or not. Reading the Zohar was common in the early days of the church before – for political and economic reasons – Catholics were told to look away from Jews.

Peace be with you … shalom

If you call yourself Christian, you should repent of such idolatry as this, and put your Faith in Jesus.
“I Am the Way the Truth and the Life. No-one comes to the Father except through Me” - Jesus.

 

[billcu1]

LOL … I think that you asked and answered you question, “What is Kabbalah” to start a hopefully intelligent conversation … you are not finding that here, especially in this response below. Let me comment on some of the responses that you received.

Jesus himself (a Jew) studied the Zohar and followed Kabbalah as all faithful Jews did in his days. Kabbalah is a spritual path suggested through mystical teachings … there are many intepretations: none of them are “right” or “wrong” In fact, it is widely thought that Jesus was attempting to encourage interest in Kabbalah, not a new “religion” when he went on his spiritual journey.

My priest, an Irish Roman Catholic Jesuit, told us that we could not be “good Catholics” without being “good Jews” as Jesus was. So, in my opinion (which I am entitled to have without facing criticism or fear of being called a heretic, LOL) is that study of the Zohar deepens your Catholic faith instead of diluting it with Protestantism focusing only on the New Testament as is the trend in American society. Most Jesuits have read the Kabbalah, whether that admit it to laity or not. Reading the Zohar was common in the early days of the church before – for political and economic reasons – Catholics were told to look away from Jews.

Peace be with you … shalom

I like this Guy. He’s Jewish before Madonna ever came around.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Berg

 

[futureperfect5]

And again, there is no “real kabbalah” and there is no book Kabbalah …
The Zohah is a collection of ancient mysticism which, if one is follwing its suggested path, per interpretation, toward enlightenment it is Kabbalah

Many people are uncomfortable with Madonna, by her design … she did not start Kabbalah it has been around for thousands of years and centuries as a collected work in the Zohar

“Catholic Mysticism” is the same: you just do not know it. Unless, perhaps you have read McBride’s volumes on Catholicism which explores Catholic theology indepth.

To the … comment on avoiding Kabbalah, you are criticizing Jesus for reading the Zohar???

Yes, it seems the OP is getting involved in some Madonna kabbalah-center type Kabbalah. Most of the real Kabbalah isn’t about creating joy and lasting fulfillment, in the same way Physics is not about creating joy and lasting fulfillment.

And, yes, I think Kabbalah should be avoided, and in my opinion, for a Christian, Catholic Mysticism is a much better alternative.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The Zohar was written in the 13th century by a fraud in Spain. Jesus neither read it nor studied Kabbalah, as neither existed in the First Century.

I continue to be amazed that any Catholic would advocate esoteric pseudo-spirituality such as this, or make such apparently Satanic statements (I grant I have mistaken the meaning) as “All that has been called evil has only been called evil to conceal its holiness.”

 

[billcu1]

The Zohar was written in the 13th century by a fraud in Spain. Jesus neither read it nor studied Kabbalah, as neither existed in the First Century.

I continue to be amazed that any Catholic would advocate esoteric pseudo-spirituality such as this, or make such apparently Satanic statements (I grant I have mistaken the meaning) as “All that has been called evil has only been called evil to conceal its holiness.”

Why would you be amazed. Teresa of Avilla and John of the Cross believed such things. Dionysius first bishop of Athens said of mysticism.
esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeII/MysticalTheology.html

The Zohar wasn’t written until the middle ages. But it’s been around since the dawn of the first Adam. The sepher yetzirah oral tradition is attributed to Abraham. Mysticism is a path of faith. It’s easier to sit back and be fed with the babes. But some step out in faith off the cliff and wait for God to come. And not the devil or some big evil thing. Fear is not of God. In Jesus’s day Kabbalah was an oral tradition.

 

[futureperfect5]

The substance of the Roman Catholic faith is built on Kabbalah … it was an oral tradition for millenia before the written versions came out and most Catholics could not read when it did.

Many Catholics are confused and narrow in their thinking becuase the faith, traditionally, came for what they were told versus spiritual inquiry from the individual: we are literate now, right. Most Jesuits encourage learning and knowledge of the many aspects of our theology: fearfulness and closemindeness is not requirements for being Catholic.

There is no harm or danger from finding out for yourself that our Catholic roots spring from the Torah. The Zorah is commentary on the Torah …with many interpretations that are considered (despite being all the same and sometimes controversial) to be “kabbalah” …

Truly, arguing over when it was written is not coming to the substance of the value that it brings to our Faith.

 

[White_Tree]

To clear things up a bit -Jewish Kabbalah is a beautiful system of real-world faithfulness on how to live a good God loving life within the Jewish faith. I think the following link is, for the most part, what the Jewish Kabbalah is about… cs.utah.edu/~spiegel/kabbalah/jkm.htm

–On the other hand…

“Qabalah” as in “Hermetic Qabalah” (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetic_Qabalah) is a completely different EVIL version of Kabbalah, which seems to steal the identity of Jewish Kabbalah and use it for other, more selfish practices, such as Alchemy and Freemasonry and other Pagan style nonsense.

Finally, there is the Christian Cabala, where even Catholic martyrs such as Raymond Lully (newadvent.org/cathen/12670c.htm) took religion to a scientific level, believing that God could be ‘proven’ through nature. His works, however have not been indoctrinated into Church teaching at all… But he was still a good Catholic.

…So basically, there are three different ‘types’ of Kabbalah that I know of, each one spelled slightly different in order to maintain separation of the differences in concepts -but the Jewish one was definantly first and best and appears to be the only one still being used at all.

…And this concludes my judgement, unless anyone has any new information to add.

I think Kabbalah, Cabalah, and Qabalah are just different transliterations of the same Jewish word, קבלה. I’m not sure there’s any substantive difference between them.

Well, id like to discuss AUrum potabiles to begin with. Is it true that by extracting the “essences” of jewels and rare metals, that certain energies and personality potentials can be released?

…that sounds like a relationship between medicine and religion… Very interesting.

Also, just to add to the discussion on the gold, Paracelsus (newadvent.org/cathen/11468a.htm) said in his treatise on Urim and Thummim, “but if any shall understand either common or Chymical Gold to be the substance of this sacred body, he is much mistaken; for a glorious Spirit will not appear, save in a body of his own kinde.” The alchemists were mystics, philosophers, and theologians, and were not primarily concerned with the accumulation of physical wealth, but rather in attaining the eternal life of the spirit. Granted, I wouldn’t be the least surprised if they actually produced physical gold too, but I’m certain that, at least for the greatest among them, that was not their end.

I’m sure you knew that already, but I think it’s helpful to point that out for the benefit of the others on this thread too.

I look forward to following this thread. I love the Kabbalah. I’ve been studying it for years, and still I feel like a total beginner.

 

[billcu1]

I think Kabbalah, Cabalah, and Qabalah are just different transliterations of the same Jewish word, קבלה. I’m not sure there’s any substantive difference between them.

Also, just to add to the discussion on the gold, Paracelsus (newadvent.org/cathen/11468a.htm) said in his treatise on Urim and Thummim, “but if any shall understand either common or Chymical Gold to be the substance of this sacred body, he is much mistaken; for a glorious Spirit will not appear, save in a body of his own kinde.” The alchemists were mystics, philosophers, and theologians, and were not primarily concerned with the accumulation of physical wealth, but rather in attaining the eternal life of the spirit. Granted, I wouldn’t be the least surprised if they actually produced physical gold too, but I’m certain that, at least for the greatest among them, that was not their end.

I’m sure you knew that already, but I think it’s helpful to point that out for the benefit of the others on this thread too.

I look forward to following this thread. I love the Kabbalah. I’ve been studying it for years, and still I feel like a total beginner.

The Urim and Thumin was a divination technique used by the High Priest. Hidden behind the breastplate were 2 onyx stones that glowed according to the question raised by the priest. Yes like any prophet or seer the ancient prophets of Israel were diviners. “All that has been called evil has only been called evil to conceal its’ holiness.” Hum I wonder how Solomon got his gold and wealth…(hint)

 

[Aelred_Minor]

This has gone on for far too long.

“4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Please, don’t turn away from the truth and wander into myths.

The Zohar was written by a Spanish Jew named Moses de Leon in the 13th century. The man’s wife later admitted that her husband had written the work and had claimed antiquity for it to make a profit.

Certainly de Leon did not make everything up from scratch but based himself partially on older occultism.

But more important than the origins of Kabbalah is the nature of it.

There are two basic forms of mysticism in this world.

One is the true mysticism of the saints, including St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross whom you have mentioned. Basically, this form of mysticism is based in what God can choose to do for us. Moved by grace and strengthened by prayer and the sacraments, we can turn from sin and disordered attachments and grow in love for God. After this purgative phase of one’s spiritual journey there often come periods of spiritual darkness in which you realize that the ways in which you have imagined and seemingly experienced God fall far short of who/what God really is, and in which the emotional consolations of your early spiritual journey often cease. In other words you feel the immensity of man’s distance from God.

In the midst of this darkness God can, if he chooses, shine his supernatural light. He can reveal himself in various ways, the most profound being infused contemplation. In this, God lifts the veil between himself and the living person’s soul, or makes the veil thin and translucent, so to speak. It is really a foretaste of the Beatific Vision, but it can be experienced in different degrees which, together with standard theology, suggests it is still something short of the full Beatific Vision.

This infused contemplation is the pinnacle of authentic Christian mysticism. Sometimes such things as visions and locutions are also counted as mystical phenomena. We might also mentioned truly supernatural charismatic gifts as a related topic.

In all these cases though it is God who acts, or in the case of visions and locutions possibly a saint or angel with the permission of God. There is no technique or secret knowledge that can produce these phenomena, since they lie entirely within the freedom of another. At most we can prepare ourselves for any gift of them which may be given, through prayer and fasting and the sacraments.

Then there is counterfeit mysticism. Like authentic religion this is, or can be, a response to mankind’s innate thirst for God. We want more than just formal doctrines and public rituals. We want to penetrate the mysteries of the universe and to personally experience the supernatural.

The problem is we can forget that any such special revelation or mystical experience lies in the freedom of the giver. Instead we try to generate such experiences through our own efforts. This could take many forms: meditation and breathing exercises to achieve an altered state of consciousness, the abuse of drugs to do the same, the use of dance, music, etc. to do the same, the studying of supposed occult secret knowledge, the practice of magic, and so on. In whatever form it takes the same demonic spirit lies beneath it all: the desire to harness hidden spiritual powers for one’s own benefit.

Kabbalah is just another form of this occult counterfeit mysticism. Like so many other forms it claims an antiquity that it does not possess and simulates profundity through complexity and obscurity. The fact that it arose within Judaism only makes it the more dangerous, because it can wear the mask of Abrahamic faith while inside it is nothing but the same rehashed deception found in, for example, Gnosticism and the New Age movement.

 

[futureperfect5]

Yes, it is unfortunate the number of Catholics who are unfamliar with the roots of the Catholic faith. Likewise, it is amazing the great length of your opinion without any direct knowledge of the Zorah text: I have read the entire Zorah translation (one of them) and their was nothing that was not in sync with Roman Catholic teachings, in fact, I have a broader and better appreciation of Catholicism.

Jesus, if you believe the represented geneology, was a practising Jewish rabbi (which means simply teacher) and knew the oral tradition, as did Plato (seemingly) who lived 428-327 BC: the Oral Tradition was not fabricated from nothing in the 12th century.

People who read sacred texts are not at risk of “turning away” from anything, unless their faith is that weak.

Likewise, our “Peace Be with You” greeting is directly tied to the traditional Jewish greeting of “Shalom”

Unless we can broaden our thoughts and accept another’s spiritual interpretation, without feeling threatened – we cannot support or represent the peace of our Saviour.

IF you want to discuss this further: read the Zohar because otherwise your thoughts are highly speculative and fearful of the unknown.

This has gone on for far too long.

 

[billcu1]

This has gone on for far too long.

“4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Please, don’t turn away from the truth and wander into myths.

The Zohar was written by a Spanish Jew named Moses de Leon in the 13th century. The man’s wife later admitted that her husband had written the work and had claimed antiquity for it to make a profit.

Certainly de Leon did not make everything up from scratch but based himself partially on older occultism.

But more important than the origins of Kabbalah is the nature of it.

There are two basic forms of mysticism in this world.

One is the true mysticism of the saints, including St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross whom you have mentioned. Basically, this form of mysticism is based in what God can choose to do for us. Moved by grace and strengthened by prayer and the sacraments, we can turn from sin and disordered attachments and grow in love for God. After this purgative phase of one’s spiritual journey there often come periods of spiritual darkness in which you realize that the ways in which you have imagined and seemingly experienced God fall far short of who/what God really is, and in which the emotional consolations of your early spiritual journey often cease. In other words you feel the immensity of man’s distance from God.

In the midst of this darkness God can, if he chooses, shine his supernatural light. He can reveal himself in various ways, the most profound being infused contemplation. In this, God lifts the veil between himself and the living person’s soul, or makes the veil thin and translucent, so to speak. It is really a foretaste of the Beatific Vision, but it can be experienced in different degrees which, together with standard theology, suggests it is still something short of the full Beatific Vision.

This infused contemplation is the pinnacle of authentic Christian mysticism. Sometimes such things as visions and locutions are also counted as mystical phenomena. We might also mentioned truly supernatural charismatic gifts as a related topic.

In all these cases though it is God who acts, or in the case of visions and locutions possibly a saint or angel with the permission of God. There is no technique or secret knowledge that can produce these phenomena, since they lie entirely within the freedom of another. At most we can prepare ourselves for any gift of them which may be given, through prayer and fasting and the sacraments.

Then there is counterfeit mysticism. Like authentic religion this is, or can be, a response to mankind’s innate thirst for God. We want more than just formal doctrines and public rituals. We want to penetrate the mysteries of the universe and to personally experience the supernatural.

The problem is we can forget that any such special revelation or mystical experience lies in the freedom of the giver. Instead we try to generate such experiences through our own efforts. This could take many forms: meditation and breathing exercises to achieve an altered state of consciousness, the abuse of drugs to do the same, the use of dance, music, etc. to do the same, the studying of supposed occult secret knowledge, the practice of magic, and so on. In whatever form it takes the same demonic spirit lies beneath it all: the desire to harness hidden spiritual powers for one’s own benefit.

Kabbalah is just another form of this occult counterfeit mysticism. Like so many other forms it claims an antiquity that it does not possess and simulates profundity through complexity and obscurity. The fact that it arose within Judaism only makes it the more dangerous, because it can wear the mask of Abrahamic faith while inside it is nothing but the same rehashed deception found in, for example, Gnosticism and the New Age movement.

Who was Mose’s father-in-law. Chief of the Egyptian magicians. Moses was “schooled in all the wisdom of Egypt”. He was able to create a “pillar of fire” at night to help the Israelites and a “cloud by day” . A great Egyptian Magician himself by God he directed his people. Sounds like Occult or “The things of God hidden from men”.
I can’t find the big bad boogey man and I’ve looked all over. All I find is God. Mysticism is a form of faith. If you need labels to make it good for you, call it “christian” or “jewish” the result in the end is the same. He that has an ear let him hear.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Yes, it is unfortunate the number of Catholics who are unfamliar with the roots of the Catholic faith. Likewise, it is amazing the great length of your opinion without any direct knowledge of the Zorah text: I have read the entire Zorah translation (one of them) and their was nothing that was not in sync with Roman Catholic teachings, in fact, I have a broader and better appreciation of Catholicism.

Jesus, if you believe the represented geneology, was a practising Jewish rabbi (which means simply teacher) and knew the oral tradition, as did Plato (seemingly) who lived 428-327 BC: the Oral Tradition was not fabricated from nothing in the 12th century.

People who read sacred texts are not at risk of “turning away” from anything, unless their faith is that weak.

Likewise, our “Peace Be with You” greeting is directly tied to the traditional Jewish greeting of “Shalom”

Unless we can broaden our thoughts and accept another’s spiritual interpretation, without feeling threatened – we cannot support or represent the peace of our Saviour.

IF you want to discuss this further: read the Zohar because otherwise your thoughts are highly speculative and fearful of the unknown.

Kabbalah is not authentic Judaism. It is a phenomenon that arose in the Middle Ages and gradually replaced or was woven into older strains of Jewish thought.

Obviously Christianity has very important Jewish roots. Even more than “peace be with you” consider the word “Amen.” This is precisely what makes Kabbalah so dangerous, as I mentioned above. The (Medieval) Jewish origin of it allows it to masquerade as something belonging to the religion of the Old Testament, thus giving it an appearance of legitimacy.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Who was Mose’s father-in-law. Chief of the Egyptian magicians. Moses was “schooled in all the wisdom of Egypt”. He was able to create a “pillar of fire” at night to help the Israelites and a “cloud by day” . A great Egyptian Magician himself by God he directed his people. Sounds like Occult or “The things of God hidden from men”.
I can’t find the big bad boogey man and I’ve looked all over. All I find is God. Mysticism is a form of faith. If you need labels to make it good for you, call it “christian” or “jewish” the result in the end is the same. He that has an ear let him hear.

Moses was not a magician. He did not, for example, create the pillar of fire by magic. That pillar of fire was a manifestation by God Himself, who was the real power behind all of Moses’ miracles. Far from learning to control hidden spiritual powers, Moses was a weak man who consented to follow the guidance of God and trust in God’s power to bring about what seemed impossible.

This paganization of Judaism and Christianity is an extreme case of what I am talking about: dangerous, frankly diabolical deceptions hiding themselves beneath a veneer of Abrahamic faith. Run, don’t walk, away from all this stuff.

 

[billcu1]

Kabbalah is not authentic Judaism. It is a phenomenon that arose in the Middle Ages and gradually replaced or was woven into older strains of Jewish thought.

Obviously Christianity has very important Jewish roots. Even more than “peace be with you” consider the word “Amen.” This is precisely what makes Kabbalah so dangerous, as I mentioned above. The (Medieval) Jewish origin of it allows it to masquerade as something belonging to the religion of the Old Testament, thus giving it an appearance of legitimacy.

Amen probably goes back to Egypt with “Amen-Ra”

 

[billcu1]

Moses was not a magician. He did not, for example, create the pillar of fire by magic. That pillar of fire was a manifestation by God Himself, who was the real power behind all of Moses’ miracles. This paganization of Judaism and Christianity is an extreme case of what I am talking about: dangerous, frankly diabolical deceptions hiding themselves beneath veneer of Abrahamic faith. Run, don’t walk, away from all this stuff.

Then why did Aaron have to hold his arms up the story says? The power came from the box or Ark that was placed in certain positions. The things of God hide in darkness. So said Dionysius. Where the devil gets ya. God’s the real power behind any Magi. How did the Magi find jesus? Looking to the stars. Even the Essenes were expert astrologers. This all goes back to the beginning of this creation to Noah’s sons.

THE MYSTICAL THEOLOGY
CHAPTER I

What is the Divine Darkness?

Supernal Triad, Deity above all essence, knowledge and goodness; Guide of Christians to Divine Wisdom; direct our path to the ultimate summit of your mystical knowledge, most incomprehensible, most luminous and most exalted, where the pure, absolute and immutable mysteries of theology are veiled in the dazzling obscurity of the secret Silence, outshining all brilliance with the intensity of their Darkness, and surcharging our blinded intellects with the utterly impalpable and invisible fairness of glories surpassing all beauty.

Let this be my prayer; but do, dear Timothy, in the diligent exercise of mystical contemplation, leave behind the senses and the operations of the intellect, and all things sensible and intellectual, and all things in the world of being and nonbeing, that you may arise by unknowing towards the union, as far as is attainable, with it that transcends all being and all knowledge.(1) For by the unceasing and absolute renunciation of yourself and of all things you may be borne on high, through pure and entire self-abnegation, into the superessential Radiance of the Divine Darkness.(2)

But these things are not to be disclosed to the uninitiated, by whom I mean those attached to the objects of human thought, and who

believe there is no superessential Reality beyond, [no it is evil] and who imagine that by their own understanding they know it that has made Darkness Its secret place. And if the principles of the divine Mysteries are beyond the understanding of these, what is to be said of others still more incapable thereof, who describe the transcendental First Cause of all by characteristics drawn from the lowest order of beings, while they deny that it is in any way above the images which they fashion after various designs; whereas they should affirm that, while it possesses all the positive attributes of the universe (being the Universal Cause) yet, in a more strict sense, it does not possess them, since it transcends them all; wherefore there is no contradiction between the affirmations and the negations, inasmuch as it infinitely precedes all conceptions of deprivation, being beyond all positive and negative distinctions.
–Dionysius *in ] my insertion *