Questions tagged [practical-kabbalah]
"Practical Kabbalah". The use of the knowledge of the inner workings of creation and/or the names of G-d (kabbalah) to manipulate and modify the natural order of the world.
50
questions
1
vote
1
answer
146
views
Kippot in kabbalah and chasiduss
Is there a Kabbalistic or Hasidic meaning on the wearing of a Kippah/yarmulke? I understand it’s more a Minhag than a technical Halacha but I wanted to know if there is a mystical perspective on this. ...
- 680
1
vote
2
answers
301
views
Kabbalistic meaning of incense
I was curious if there is a Kabbalistic or Hasidic meaning to incense, not just the incense of the Tabernacle but incense in general. I believe Breslov Hasidism place a great emphasis on hitbodedut, ...
- 680
2
votes
1
answer
163
views
Hasidic methodology and Halacha
Generally speaking, what is the Hasidic approach to making halachic rulings, and how does it in general differ from the Yeshivish and Modern Orthodox methodologies. I understand the Alter Rebbe of ...
- 680
1
vote
0
answers
59
views
Is it possible to enter Adam Kadmon and retain your individuality?
The Breslov Center has Pirkei Avos in English with commentary from Rabbi Noson and Rabbi Nachman. In the very first section it says the whole purpose of this world is to enable us to make a Yechida ...
- 311
1
vote
2
answers
84
views
Is there an inyan to shake the lulav in the sukka, even when it's raining?
According to the Arizal one should shake the lulav in the sukka al pi kabbala. Does this inyan apply even if it's raining in the sukka?
- 2,515
0
votes
2
answers
125
views
How to understand the Union of Zeir Anpin and Malchut in Assiya
BH
I understand the world goes through a process of Seder hishtalshelut.
So how to understand the union of ZA and Malchut in the world of Assiya?
And how does this happen through the Tzimtzum?
- 609
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
How can a name exist before anything was Created
BH
I heard “before the world was created it was the Holy one blessed be He and His Great Name alone”
עד שלא נברא העולם, היה הקדוש ברוך הוא ושמו הגדול בלבד
Source
How can a name exist before ...
- 609
0
votes
0
answers
61
views
Sefaradi Tefillin Hand Wrapping
I'm curious about the significance of the standard Sefaradi minhag of creating a daled on the hand with the tefillin retzuot in two sets of parallel lines? The Baghdadi/Hacham Ovadia method seems to ...
- 31
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
613 Mitzvot corresponding to the 248 and 365 body parts [duplicate]
Where can I find a chart or list in English of each mitzvah and which body part the mitzvah corresponds to including bones and organs?
0
votes
0
answers
30
views
Ask about kabbalah and reincarnation [duplicate]
I confused about reincarnation and many people from other religions have the stigma that the concept of Jewish reincarnation is only made up by rabbi issac luria and it is just an ordinary human ...
3
votes
0
answers
60
views
Why does Sanhedrin 95a not list the Kefitzas HaDerech example of the 10 spies in Shelach
Question inspired by R. Elchanan Shoff Oneg Shelach 2019 p.6
Rashi on Bamidbar 13:25 states
"They returned from scouting the Land at the end of forty days: But
does not the Land measure four ...
- 430
0
votes
0
answers
101
views
Listening to a Torah reading at night
Many Poskim rule based on Kabala that one is not to read verses of Mikra [Written Torah] at night.(בבאר היטב סימן רל"ח, ועיין בשער הציון סק"א)
https://shulchanaruchharav.com/reading-tehillim-...
- 571
1
vote
1
answer
242
views
Is Sefer HaRazim heretical?
Is the book Sefer HaRazim heretical?
Does it play any part in kabbalah? If so, is it still used by kabbalists today?
user25409
1
vote
1
answer
164
views
How do you write an amulet
The internet has many examples of Jewish amulets. I would like to know how, step by step, amulet is written. I understand there may be different formula for different amulets but I assume the general ...
- 13.6k
2
votes
0
answers
195
views
Meditating on the Divine name(s)
I started reading Aryeh Kaplan's "Meditation and Kabbalah". Got to Chapter three (Rabbi Abraham Abulafia) so far and apart from being scared of the Hekhalot texts, I enjoyed the read. It resonated ...
- 1,096
1
vote
1
answer
254
views
Practical Kabbalah
Amongst us are many such charlatans, that can read your mind and know your soul's essence. My question is, how? How do these "people" know how to do such holy acts!? Is there a book that teaches a ...
- 1,903
3
votes
0
answers
525
views
What is this bird symbol called by the AriZal
It says it's a kamia that's frequently attributed to the Arizal but this drawing was by Rabbi Eliezer of Worms and Rabbi Eliyahu Baal Shem.
I've seen this drawing in the 1855 Lemberg Sha'ar ...
- 1,252
1
vote
0
answers
300
views
Can a Gentile create a Golem?
There is evidence that a Jew is permitted to create a Golem (though, as @ezra points out, there is evidence the other way as well in Sanhedrin 65b). Whether or not creating one is physically possible ...
- 1,330
2
votes
2
answers
420
views
Practical Kabbalah consequences
I remember hearing that there was a rabbi that used practical kabbalah with his disciples to fight SM' + LL', but I cannot remember his name.
Arizal has prohibited it, right?
I remember that he gave ...
- 625
6
votes
2
answers
819
views
Would anybody be able to point me in the direction of legitimate Jewish meditation practices?
I have been looking for a meditative exercise which would complement my worship practices.
either something to use before Worship to be put into the appropriate mindset or something which can be ...
user13783
1
vote
1
answer
241
views
Online commentary for 3 ENOCH -- a Hekalot & Merkevah, mystical, apocalyptic, pseudepigraphal, Jewish text (400CE)?
I've been interested in Hekalot & Merkevah literature as of late. I'm not a Kabbalist, but I do study scriptures of the Near East, particularly within the realms of Judaism. I stumbled across 3 ...
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Going to a mekubal to check out a shidduch
Some people go to Hassidic Rebbes or Mekubalim to give them the names of both sides of a potential shidduch to see if the names match. Are these Rabbis actually able look at the names and "see" if it ...
- 5,051
4
votes
4
answers
533
views
Creating things with the Sefer Yetzira?
According to the Talmud (sanhedrin 65b), the Rabbis of the Talmud used the system of the sefer yetzira to miraculously create a calf every friday and eat it on the Sabbath.
Rabbi Avraham Azoulai ...
- 21.1k
2
votes
0
answers
237
views
Do you get to keep your old nefesh and ruach when you convert?
According to our tradition, converts acquire a "new soul" in, or upon emergence from, the conversion mikvah. (Not sure of the original source for this--it may be the Zohar--but there are countless ...
- 19.6k
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Cutting one's nails at night
I recently asked a friend if I could borrow his nail cutter, but he told me that he would prefer I do it in the morning because it isn't good to cut one's nails at night. When I asked him why, he told ...
- 4,566
4
votes
1
answer
166
views
Most auspicious times for bathing in Mikve according to Kabbalah
I am interested in the Kabbalistic answer to this question (below) because of my interest in the deeper spiritual experience and philosophical knowledge, but if you know of an answer according to ...
- 387
3
votes
0
answers
584
views
Most auspicious number of "dunks" in Mikve according to Kabbalah
I recently had wonderful experiences bathing in Mikve in Tzfat--most particularly Mikvah HaAri. I was given basic, general guidelines to bathing there, and my nephew and I enjoyed very exhilarating, ...
- 387
3
votes
2
answers
356
views
How can the 10 Sephirot be understood in practice?
I more or less understand the theory behind the 10 Sephirot, but what are practical examples that could help me deepen my understanding?
UPDATE
I refer to these 10 Sephirot
For example, Chesed ...
- 203
0
votes
1
answer
427
views
Evil Eye from one's own wife?
Is it possible that one's own wife creates an "evil eye" or something of the sort, knowingly or unknowingly and ends up causing financial and health trouble? Is there any sort of "contract" couples ...
- 13
1
vote
0
answers
307
views
If a house has mezuzahs and one of bedroom's mezuzah isn't kosher is the entire house at risk or just that bedroom?
I read on this website the entire following article which includes major kabbalistic info about mezuzah protection and I was wondering if any major rabbi or kabbalist or anyone with the answer can ...
- 37
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
"Upper Level Teshuva" for Zera LeVatala
In the Tanya, Iggeret HaTeshuva Perek 4, the Ba'al HaTanya writes that the statement "there is no teshuva for spilling seed" applies only to "lower teshuva" ("re-attaching the second hei to Hashem's ...
- 2,461
2
votes
1
answer
329
views
Drawing the line between not judging and not being a fool
I am what you refer to as a gentile but I have an interest and cursory understanding of Kabbalah and the red string precept of pertinence to not judging others. i.e. Evil eye.
I've gone to great ...
- 131
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
If the sages removed the desire for yetzer hora of avodah zora, what is left in terms of yetzer hara?
During the time of the second Beit HaMikdash, the 120 sages of the Great Assembly were granted the ability to rip out the desire for idolatry (yetzer hora of avodah zora) from the collective soul of ...
- 1,083
3
votes
2
answers
215
views
Spiritual gift of perceptions - what is the cause and how should they be used?
There are people that claim to be able to see supernatural qualities about people they have just met, including episodes from his or her life, very personal details.
What, according to Judaism, is ...
- 451
2
votes
1
answer
179
views
Translating an amulet
I need help translating what is written on a charm. Here is what is written in it, along with my understanding of what it means.
לשמירה, הצלחה, זיווג הגון, שלום בית, זרע בר קיימא, שמירה למעוברת, ...
- 155
6
votes
3
answers
279
views
How can one achieve k'fitzat hadereh (miraculous speedy travel)?
Rav Hai Gaon in תשובות הגאונים החדשות, מהד' עמנואל סי' קטו, עמ' 125 states that there are books which contain the practical kabbalistic methods for achieving k'fitzat hadereh (miraculous speedy travel)...
user5092
5
votes
3
answers
324
views
sefer Yetzirah ox goring,or Golem damages
If an ox made from sefer Yetzirah gored a regular ox, or vice versa, or if a golem hit someone is there any Torah obligation to pay for damages that was inflicted?
I used the classic example of ...
- 41k
8
votes
5
answers
1k
views
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?
- 3,835
6
votes
1
answer
651
views
Is practical Kabbalah forbidden today?
Is it forbidden to practice "practical" kabbalah (kabbalah maasit) today? If so, why? If it is forbidden to practice is it also forbidden to study?
user2110
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 ...
- 21.1k
11
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How do Segulas Work?
How do segulas work? For example, according to the Zohar, one who reads the Ketores daily will get all sorts of berachos in his financial areas and will become wealthy.
Yet the amount of money one is ...
- 21.1k
9
votes
3
answers
587
views
How/Why do amulets work?
Assuming that kameot (Jewish amulets) do provide some real protection (not simply putting the mind of the wearer at ease) how/why do they work? Meaning, why would writing the various obscure names of ...
user2110
0
votes
1
answer
107
views
Is הפעולה בשמות or “theurgy” similar to prayer in the Ramchal’s Derekh HaShem?
Ramchal in Derekh HaShem III 2 (7) speaks about using the names of G-d to achieve effects not achievable using physical agencies. He says,
א׳ הוא הזכרת שמו ית׳ כמי שקורא אותו שיענהו, וימשיך על ידי ...
- 47.1k
4
votes
1
answer
322
views
Is a "Golem" the same thing as a person created through Sefer Yetzirah?
Is a "Golem" the same thing as a person created through Sefer Yetzirah? Please be clear with your answer.
- 998
19
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Was there a GOLEM?
was there really a golem made in Prague that was alive and interacted with other people?
I heard that this story was nothing more than a made up tale in a children's book. Does anyone know the real ...
8
votes
2
answers
4k
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 ...
- 903
4
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Performing miracles with Hashem's Name
Moshe killed a mitzri by uttering a shem Hashem, name of Hashem, according to Rashi, Sh'mos 2:14.
Bilaam pronounced the 42 letter shem Hashem (known as the 'sod ha'affifah) and was able to fly.
What ...
- 3,928
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 ...
- 3,928
10
votes
2
answers
451
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 ...
- 21k
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 ...
- 131k