Kabbalah is the mystical teachings in Judaism that are mainly based on the Zohar (traditionally attributed to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai) and then later elaborated upon by others such as Rabbis Isaac Luria and Israel Baal Shem.
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Do gentiles have neshamot?
As I have seen here, some say that only Jews have a neshama, others say that all humans have one. There was a reference there only of the former opinion (Jews only), and I know from elsewhere that ...
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4answers
258 views
Why is the idea of sefirot not shituf?
Why are the sefirot not considered a problem of Shituf? Is there anything wrong with believing in sefirot?
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6answers
419 views
Is there a Kabbalistic source for not walking with one's hands behind one's back?
I've heard from people that it says in Kabbalah that one shouldn't walk with one's hands behind one's back. Does anyone know the source?
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2answers
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Reincarnation vs. resurrection of the dead
Some Jews believe in reincarnation. They are also supposed to accept the Resurrection of the Dead, where actual bodies are resurrected. In that case, for each soul, which body is resurrected?
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4answers
345 views
Proper Way of Learning Jewish Mysticism
I have been very much interested in learning the core teachings of mysticism since I was a young boy. I didn't know that it was called Jewish mysticism but nonetheless I was attracted to its beliefs ...
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2answers
101 views
Why is ויהי נועם said after הנני מוכןs?
Most (but not all) Siddurim have the פסוק of ויהי נועם at the end of הנני מוכןs (such as before ספירת העומר, before the ארבע כוסות, or before בדיקת חמץ).
Where does this practice come from?
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1answer
346 views
Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel and wearing tzitzios out
Does someone know anything about Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel shlita hamekubal stating that tzitzios should be worn outside the clothes? I read it once but without any sources on a web forum.
It would be ...
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6answers
197 views
What do people mean when they say “Kaballah”?
I recently spoke to someone who said she was interested in learning Kabbala but could not find any classes. I mentioned to her she may want to try learning Tanya because there is a lot of Kabbala in ...
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1answer
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376 views
Halakha and Spiritual Healing?
What are the halakhic guidelines and limitations for using psukim from the Torah to heal illness? Does it make a difference if the psuk is being used to heal a "spiritual" malady which is believed to ...
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8answers
415 views
Kabala in Halacha
Which of the major authors or codifiers of halacha. . .
a) refer directly to or quote from kabala in their legal discussions?
b) employ conclusions based only on kabala in their legal argumentation ...
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3answers
215 views
Demon or Sheidim
My son since birth never has been peaceful. At around 1 year old he would stand on his crib while sleeping fighting who knew what and crying and crying, I tried to calm him and soothe him. But that ...
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3answers
445 views
Ayin Hara - The evil eye - Hocus Pocus
There are people that do some sort of procedure with lead that they claim gets rid of Ayin Hara. Is this hocus pocus or true?
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3answers
210 views
Differences of Opinion in the Order of the Ushpizin
The order of the Ushpizin according to the Zohar (Thank you Mekubal!) corresponds to the order of the Sefiros each one represents. Why does the Shelah disagree and place Yosef before Moshe, Aharon, ...
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3answers
313 views
How Kabbalistically accurate is the golem-making procedure described in “Niflaos Maharal”?
There's been plenty of discussion about the historic authenticity of "Niflaos Maharal", a book that appeared in the early 1900s describing how the Maharal made a Golem to defend the Jews against blood ...
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2answers
74 views
More info on tzerufei shemos (permutations of G-d's name) vis-a-vis months of the year?
I've seen some siddurim -- I think the Artscroll all-Hebrew Nusach Sefard -- that list one permutation of the name YKVK for each of the twelve months, and that one should have appropriate kavana when ...
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6answers
327 views
Where does the concept of Gilgulim (reincarnations) in Judaism come from?
What is the source of Gilgulim in Judaism? Are there people who disagree with its existence? Who was the first to mention it? What I am asking essentialy is what is the historical development of ...
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5answers
517 views
Minimum Age to Learn Kabbalah
How old do you have to be to learn Kabbalah?
(I think its 60 ) but it seems everyone learns it anyway (Maharal, Chassidus) is there a defense or is it just done?
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4answers
284 views
Walking Between 2 Women - Relatives
A man is not allowed to walk between two women. Does this apply where one of them is his mother (or sister)?
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5answers
718 views
What is the Gorel Hagra?
What is it?
How is it performed?
May one perform it?
And, if so, when may it be used?
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5answers
662 views
Sheidim, fact or fiction?
Are there really such thing as sheidim? If so, what are they? Please include sources.