Introduction to Kabbalah: Some Misconceptions

What is Kabbalah

Tree of Life by Andrei Voica

Kabbalah is an occult, meaning hidden, science. Kabbalah is sometimes associated with “Jewish mysticism”; in fact, understanding Hebrew language,  the Torah, and Jewish law are fundamental to understand of Kabbalah.  Kabbalah was intentionally by Jewish practitioners hidden after the Siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the second temple around 70 CE.  After the fall of the second temple, Kabbalah became an underground 

Kabbalah is also hidden, in that it does not deal with the five primary senses.  It is simply not something you can see, touch, or hear.  The true meaning if life cannot be found in material things.

Additionally, the Kabbalistic books themselves are esoteric by employing the language of branches.  The language of branches indicates the metaphysical origin of the mundane.  For example, ordinary words are said to be branches from a metaphysical root.   This is especially evident in the Torah which works on a metaphorical level.  Unfortunately, this complexity leads to the vast misinformation surrounding Kabbalah.

Misinformation and Misconceptions

 Kabbalah is a religion. 

While Kabbalah deals with the upper and lower worlds, Kabbalah is not a means of transcendence.  These worlds are interdependent and not to be transcended but experienced directly.  Kabbalah is a science that is compatible with a variety of world religions.

You have to be Jewish to Study Kabbalah.

Many preeminent kabbalists were not Jewish. While Kabbalah has its origins in Judaism and makes extensive references to Jewish thought, Kabbalah is not a religious denomination in and of itself.

Kabbalah leads to insanity.

Kabbalah is not grounded in “normal” thinking about material things.  From the perspective of individuals who operate on a material level, Kabbalah (and other spiritual matters) is incomprehensible.