Questions tagged [mysticism-kabbalah]

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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Sheidim: are they fact, or fiction?

Are there really such thing as sheidim? If so, what are they? Please include sources.
wayon's user avatar
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29 votes
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Why isn't the Kabbalistic doctrine of Sefirot considered Shittuf if the Christian Trinity is?

From the answers to this question it seems that most if not all Jewish sources treat Trinitarian Christianity (in particular, their doctrine of the Trinity) as either Shittuf or outright Avoda Zara, ...
Curiouser's user avatar
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27 votes
5 answers
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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?
Ishyehudi's user avatar
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27 votes
6 answers
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The Origins of the Zohar - Why is it accepted as being true?

I've read arguments and counter arguments for the origins of the Zohar and I'm perplexed. I personally accept the truths in kabbalah and chassidut, but I didn't realize how the Zohar sort of just "...
ZCG's user avatar
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24 votes
12 answers
3k views

Is one a heretic if he does not believe in Kabbalah?

Is one a heretic if he does not believe in Kabbalah? Not necessarily that the Rashbi authored the Zohar, but in the general tenets of kabbalah including but not limited to: tzimtzum, sefirot, ...
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24 votes
5 answers
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Is there a list of Mitzvot and their corresponding body parts?

The Talmud (Makkot 23B)and the Zohar (1:170B - unverified English translation here) say that the 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs of the human body. (The Mishna (Ohalot 1:8) lists ...
Menachem's user avatar
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24 votes
8 answers
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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 ...
Lev's user avatar
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20 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why is practical kabbalah not considered kishuf?

To preface I know next to nothing about so called 'practical kabbalah'. But from the few things I have read about, things like face or palm reading, making a golem (essentially an android) or any ...
none's user avatar
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17 votes
5 answers
3k 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?
yydl's user avatar
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15 votes
4 answers
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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?
Curiouser's user avatar
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15 votes
2 answers
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Can anyone explain the meaning of this amulet / inscription?

Right before my grandfather went away to fight in WWII, a rabbi in Munkács (מונקאטש) gave him a small cloth container that had a piece of parchment in it, as a kind of amulet. The piece of paper has ...
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13 votes
5 answers
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From where do we know that sexual intercourse with a non-jewish woman is forbidden?

From where do we know that a jewish man cannot have sexuel intercourse with a non-jewish woman? What say the Kabbala about this ? Is it related to dark forces, "qelipoth"?
far22's user avatar
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1 answer
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Is there positive proof that the Rambam did not accept Kabbalah?

I have heard many times that the Rambam's omission of mystical ideas is proof, or evidence, of his rejection thereof. However, if one accepts the authenticity of Kabbalah as being a legitimate ...
Y     e     z's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
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Are Segulot a Prohibition of Nichush?

Rambam Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:12 writes: הלוחש על המכה וקורא פסוק מן התורה, וכן הקורא על התינוק שלא יבעת, והמניח ספר תורה או תפילין על הקטן בשביל שיישן - לא די להם שהם בכלל מנחשים וחוברים, אלא ...
Yehuda's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
955 views

Is there really a distinct "Jewish soul"?

I have heard many times about Jews having a "special soul" or a "Jewish soul" - a soul which is either lacking and/or fundamentally different than that of non-Jews. However, the sources which are ...
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12 votes
4 answers
1k views

What is the source for Pardes?

What is the source for expounding the torah according to remez, derush and sod (along with 'pshat' the group can be referred to by the acronym PaRDeS)? These forms of hermeneutics are not found in ...
none's user avatar
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12 votes
3 answers
1k 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 ...
Shalom's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
833 views

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?
Lev's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
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Ana B'choach - Private prayer or Sing-Along song?

Many people have the custom to recite the prayer "Ana B'choach" after the initial six chapters of Tehillim said in Kabbalas Shabbos and before "Lecha Dodi". Based on the fact that it references ...
jake's user avatar
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12 votes
1 answer
542 views

What is a ger's birthday in terms of Jewish astrology? conversion date or birth date?

In terms of Jewish astrological signs and influences on people, per Kabbalah, would a ger use their actual 'birth' date or their date of conversion which is considered a rebirth?
jsa's user avatar
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11 votes
6 answers
1k 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 ...
Jhourlad Estrella's user avatar
11 votes
6 answers
861 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?
ertert3terte's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
518 views

The Yiddish Language and its Sanctity

Rav Avrohom Schorr in his Sefer HaLekach V'HaLevuv al HaTorah (5763) for on Parshas Noach the following: (Took a picture because there is no online copy available) (Rough Translation by myself) ...
TrustMeI'mARabbi's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
403 views

The Alshich and Lavan

There are many sources online mentioning the story of how the Alshich once gave a Drasha and the Arizal was present. In the Drasha he elaborated on the 100 different ways Lavan deceived Yaakov. At one ...
Gershon Gold's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
991 views

Do converts represent a "farblondzshet" neshama?

Before our wedding, a mikvah lady learned that my wife was marrying me -- a convert to Judaism. Her response was that I must represent a "farblondzshet neshama" (a confused or a lost Jewish soul). ...
Bruce James's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
479 views

Animals Created By Sefer Yetzirah

The Malbim explains that someone created a calf using Sefer Yetzirah, and it could then be eaten with milk. What is it about the animals created from Sefer Yetzirah which make it permissible to eat ...
Bochur613's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
281 views

Hoshana rabbah, is it really the second Yom Kippur?

Where does the concept of Hashana rabah being compared to Yom Kippur come from? Especially within the Sephardic and Hasidic communities. I've heard that Hashanah rabah is alluded to in Kabbalah as ...
David Feigen's user avatar
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10 votes
8 answers
580 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 ...
Desert Star's user avatar
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10 votes
9 answers
2k 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 ...
WAF's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
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Sources in Rishonim on the Authenticity of the Zohar

Are there any early contemporary discussions from the time of the revelation of the Zohar among recognized Rishonim about its authenticity? I mention "among recognized Rishonim" because I am aware ...
Jewels's user avatar
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10 votes
5 answers
677 views

Why is kabbalah so secretive?

The basic information of Jewish mysticism is readily available online and in print today. Yet kabbalah continues to be treated as knowledge that is secret and is only appropriate for people to learn ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
708 views

Munn in the World to Come

The Rema in OC Simman 242 brings a minhag to eat "pashtidah" shabbos night in memory of the munn. The Beur Halacha is very bothered why one would do such a thing on shabbos, given that the munn ...
robev's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
461 views

What's the source for a Cheirem al pi Kabbalah?

The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe describes: "'a real cheirem as prescribed by Kabbalah' requires the following: a court of seventy-two rabbis fast for forty consecutive days (excluding Shabbos ...
HodofHod's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
388 views

שובבים and Taharas Hamishpacha

As we begin the weeks of Shovavim (the upcoming 6 parshiyos, Shemos through Mishpatim), many of us will notice signs going up all around us for improvement in keeping the Halachos of Niddah ("Taharas ...
רבות מחשבות's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
431 views

Sources for Hamsa

I know from Ben Ish Hai Shana Bet Parashat Pinehas siman 13 where he writes to make a Hamsa from wood. However, I am wondering if there any earlier sources to solidify the fact that this would ...
Hacham Gabriel's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
725 views

Dovid got lifespan from Adam and/or the Avos

I think it's pretty well known that there's an idea that 70 years from Adam's life were given to Dovid Hamelech, which is why he lived to 930 and not 1000. A source that I found for this is Zohar ...
robev's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
2k views

Clairvoyant Powers

Recently met a certain Rabbi with clairvoyant powers. He was able to look at my name and tell me all sorts of spooky stuff. For example, that I have two mezuzas with problems. (I hired a sofer to ...
ray's user avatar
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9 votes
5 answers
4k views

Trimming or Shaving the Moustache

Are there any halachic or kabbalistic reasons to forbid (or avoid) trimming or shaving one's moustache? I am defining "shaving" as cutting until there is no visible hair remaining, and "trimming" as ...
HodofHod's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
358 views

Picture by R' Aryeh Kaplan on the front cover of the Aryeh Kaplan Reader

Hello does anyone know of anyone I could contact or where I could look with regard to an explanation of the painting on the front of the Aryeh Kaplan Reader by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan himself?
B First's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
5k views

What does the blue color mean in Judaism?

I noticed that the fringes (tzitzit) are blue, the blue stripes and star of David in the Israeli flag. And also Rabbi Gutman said in a youtube video that the color blue must not be seen while ...
mil's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Minhag not to view moon through a window?

I have a vague memory of being told not to gaze at the moon through the glass of a window. I think it had something to do with kabbalah. I know it's permitted to say kiddush levanah by looking at the ...
Shemmy's user avatar
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9 votes
6 answers
531 views

How could Aharon stand inside the Mishkan

According to the position in the gemara in Shabbos :צב that all of the leviim (includes cohanim) were 10 amos tall, how could Aaron or Moshe fit in the Ohel Moed (10 Amos tall as well, see parshas ...
Uber_Chacham's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
320 views

Unconsciousness in Jewish Thought

Yes, that pun was intended. We know that sleep is 1/60 of death, and dreaming is 1/60 of prophecy (Brachos 57b). This is because it's a partial death, in which a piece of the Neshamah leaves the ...
DonielF's user avatar
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8 votes
11 answers
1k views

Introductory seforim for learning Kabbalah

Are there any seforim which serve as an introduction to learning Kabbalah? These seforim, I imagine, would give the basic terms and ideas of Kabbalah along with some explanation for the novice learner....
Bochur613's user avatar
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8 votes
5 answers
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Are there any female kabbalists?

Are there currently or have there been historically orthodox female kabbalists? If not is this a quirk of history or is there a specific reason?
please remove my account's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
5k views

How are sorcery or witchcraft viewed in Judaism and Jewish Mysticism?

How are sorcery or witchcraft viewed in Judaism? I have heard that it has something to do with Kabbalah. Please correct me if I am wrong. Also Solomon (may peace and blessings be upon him) is falsely ...
Maxood's user avatar
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8 votes
3 answers
558 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 ...
Rabbi Michael Tzadok's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
684 views

Why is one permutation of the name of God backwards?

If you spell out each letter that makes up the name of God, then add up the gematria (numerical value) of each letter of each fully spelled out letter you get various values. The value depends on how ...
user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
437 views

Are there forms of Jewish mysticism outside of kabbalah?

Is kabbalah the one and only form (source?) of Jewish mysticism?
sheimot's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
330 views

Unique signature of the Chida

The Chida has a very unique signature. What is the significance of this signature (if any)? Is it in any way related to the seven kabbalistic seals? Are there other similarly unusual signatures by ...
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