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Jewish Mysticism & Kabbalah refers to the doctrines, practices and esoteric exegetical method in Torah, that emerged in 12th-13th century Southern France and Spain, and was developed further in 16th century Ottoman Palestine.
Jewish Mystics Geni Profiles
According to Adin Steinsaltz - Even Yisrael, the study of Kabbalah/Mysticism is profoundly symbolic and abstract, its teachings are of tremendous significance to the individual and to society alike.
Kabbalah is not a separate area of Torah knowledge, but rather the hidden, spiritual dimension of the revealed aspects of the Torah.
These revealed facets of Torah - such as halakha (Jewish law) - speak primarily about visible, physical things;
Kabbalah, on the other hand, speaks directly about spiritual entities, like the system of olamot (spiritual "worlds," or graduated levels of reality) and sefirot (divine "attributes," or channels of divine energy) through which God creates, sustains and directs the universe. It also discusses the interaction between those entities and the performance of mitzvot in the physical world. It is for this reason that Kabbalah has been called the soul of the Torah.
The character of Kabbalah is perhaps manifested most clearly in Hasidut. By changing the terminology of Kabbalah yet maintaining its messages, Hasidut offers a simpler, more accessible way of unlocking its secrets.
The Hasidic movement, which has prompted dramatic changes in the outlook of the Jewish people, began in the late 18th century with the teachings of Rabbi Yisrael Ba'al Shem Tov. By re-emphasizing the value of every Jew, the Ba'al Shem Tov provided his disciples with the opportunity to link the individual closer to the Almighty.
To study Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Steinsaltz, you can read one of his many Articles on the topic, or one of his Books, including:---------------------------------------
(1CE -11th centuries)
(12th-15th centuries)
( 13th century )
( 14th-15th centuries )
( 15th-17th centuries )
(1600 - 1900) Kabbalistic commentary
( 18th century ) Hasidic Kabbalah
( 20th century Kabbalah )
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Alphabetized List (Mystics & Their Writings)
A
B
C
D
E
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
Y
Z