فارسیKabbalah – Jewish Mysticism
Discovered in 13th-century Spain, the Zohar unveils the mystical secrets of the universe. The Zohar is central to Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah. Rooted in Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s teachings, Kabbalah explores celestial influences, spiritual unity, and humanity’s timeless connection to the Divine, enriching generations through its transformative wisdom. The Kabbalah seeks and discovers the secrets that the Torah holds deep within itself.
Discovery of the Zohar
In the late 13th century, in the small town of Aragon, Spain, a man named Moses de León claimed to have discovered an ancient and valuable text. After careful analysis by scholars, the text was determined to be the Zohar, a work believed to have been written in the 2nd century by the esteemed Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. This book holds immense religious significance, second only to the Torah.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Background
Documents state that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was a contemporary and close friend of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, both of whom studied for many years under the renowned Rabbi Akiva at the theological school in Bnei Brak. During the Roman occupation of the Holy Land, both were recognized as prominent resistance figures. Under Emperor Hadrian’s oppressive laws, the Romans persecuted the Jews, forbidding them from practicing their faith or studying the Torah. To avoid capture and execution, Rabbi Shimon and his son, Rabbi Elazar, fled to a distant cave, where they lived for thirteen years, subsisting on spring water and carob fruits while dedicating themselves to Torah study and uncovering its mysteries. During this period, they compiled their profound insights into the Zohar Hakadosh, a cornerstone of Kabbalah, from which Jewish mystical teachings and esoteric practices emerged.
Throughout his seclusion, like-minded individuals would secretly visit him for spiritual guidance and discussions of Torah verses, exchanging knowledge and mystical teachings.
Opinion about death
Rabbi Shimon did not fear death; he viewed it as a moment of profound unity with the Divine. As a result, the day of his passing became known as “Halleluyah,” symbolizing the joy of a groom entering his bridal chamber.
Anniversary celebrations
Since the 16th century, it has become customary to celebrate the anniversary of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s passing on the 18th of Iyar, which is the 33rd day of the Omer (Lag BaOmer). Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims gather at his tomb in Meron to dance joyfully and sing religious hymns, commemorating the spiritual enlightenment he attained during his thirteen years of detachment from worldly matters.
Emergence of Kabbalah
After Emperor Hadrian’s death and the appointment of Antonius Pius, Jewish oppression eased. Rabbi Shimon and his son emerged from hiding, although Rabbi Shimon’s body had weakened. However, he healed himself through faith and soon reopened his theological school in Tiberias. There, he resumed teaching the Mishnah and Talmud while establishing a mystical school that laid the foundation for Kabbalistic philosophy. This expansive knowledge was passed down through generations, with each great mystic adding to its depth.
Influence across cultures
With the Zohar’s discovery in Spain, Kabbalistic teachings spread, influencing not only Jewish communities but also Christian culture and other spiritual traditions, spreading beyond Europe to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam in less than 25 years.
The Core of Kabbalah
Lexically
The word “Kabbalah” comes from the Hebrew root qibbēl, meaning “to accept,” referring to the acceptance of spiritual laws. Originally an oral tradition, Kabbalistic teachings began to circulate in written form in the 11th century in Spain and southern France, offering mystical interpretations of the Torah’s five books to uncover their secrets.
Source
Kabbalah’s essence lies in the teachings of the Torah on God and self-awareness, aiming first to connect the mortal world with the afterlife, and then awaken awareness of evil and the ego, and lead to spiritual perfection. Central to Kabbalistic thought is the study of celestial bodies, letters, and numbers, serving as a key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and humanity’s creation.
Kabbalistic scholars, particularly those of more recent generations, hold that the classical texts of Kabbalah, along with the insights found within the Book of Zohar, originate from the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. His thoughts flourished during a period of seclusion lasting thirteen years, a time of deep spiritual development. The Zohar conveys that the universe was created under unique and Divinely ordained order, a design that extends infinitely.
What’s found in the Kabbalah Interpretations
Key to further mysteries
The interpretations found in Kabbalah serve as a profound key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and the origins of human existence. This extraordinary and transformative text, now widely recognized as Kabbalah, addresses subjects of the supernatural in ways that extend beyond the material world. It explores the influences of planetary and stellar radiations on human life, examines the origins of the cosmos, and considers forces beyond the limits of human intellect. Here, the mysteries of creation are approached through a lens that combines the mystical with the scientific, reflecting on the effects of celestial bodies on Earth and the role each plays in sustaining life.
The system of creation
The text delves into concepts of energy and matter, discussing their transformation into one another, and presents intricate mathematical relationships, such as multi-variable equations and principles of algebra, to illustrate the underlying structures of existence. Miracles, foretelling, and the emergence of a beginning point are examined as human capacities, hinting at an innate connection between the temporal and the eternal. Kabbalah moves from our world to realms potentially more advanced than our own, presenting a structured, flawless system that bridges the known and the unknown, the finite and the infinite.
Man’s central guide
Within this framework, Kabbalah contemplates the vast central force and a will that transcends human comprehension, one that guides existence from an original source. This origin is both beginning and end, eternal and timeless—attributes that in the tradition of mysticism are ascribed to God. Through its teachings, Kabbalah invites reflection on the continuum of existence and the Divine order that shapes it, honoring the known yet revering the unknowable as aspects of a single, all-encompassing reality.
Uncovering the future
In Hebrew, the word “Zohar” signifies light, brilliance, and radiance. The central purpose of this work was to interpret and uncover the hidden mysteries the Torah contains. The book emphasizes that one must strive to understand the Omnipotent in absolute terms and study the Torah with pure faith.
Jewish scholars believe that through a profound examination of the Torah and study of the Zohar, they can gain foresight into the adversities and misfortunes that at times befall the Jewish people. By such awareness, they seek to prevent these challenges, guarding their people from potential hardships.
Prayers and Tefillahs in the Zohar
Patach Eliyahu
It is recounted that the teachings known as Patach Eliyahu, found in the introduction to the Zohar, were spoken by Elijah the Prophet at the opening of the first study session in the presence of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Elijah, who appeared among them in human form, commenced the gathering with these sacred words:
“O Lord of both worlds, You are One, yet not like the number one that can be counted or calculated. For the number one is subject to increase and decrease, but Your Oneness is an absolute unity that has neither changed nor will ever change.”
In keeping with an ancient tradition, this prelude is recited before the start of each tefillah, particularly among Eastern Jewish communities.
Barech Shemeh and Lekha Dodi
This collection also includes many other deeply cherished prayers, among them Barech Shemeh, recited when the Torah is removed from the ark for reading in synagogues. Another notable prayer is the revered hymn Lekha Dodi, written by the Kabbalist Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz. This hymn is chanted on Friday evenings as part of the ritual welcoming of Shabbat in synagogues.
In his eloquent verses, Rabbi Shlomo portrays Shabbat as the “Bride of the Jewish People,” urging each Jew to joyfully welcome this bride, honor her, and integrate her presence within the heart of family life. It is essential to recognize that in Jewish tradition, Shabbat is regarded as sacred, representing a covenant between God and the Jewish people. Observance of Shabbat was enshrined as one of the Ten Commandments, as revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, where God commands, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai further imparts, “If the Jewish people were to observe just two Shabbats in full accordance with God’s commandments, God would deliver them from hardship.”
Source
Mythological Beliefs: Yosef Setareshenas