Cd. Juárez, Chih, Mexico; June 14, 2006.- 18 Sivan, 5766
Historical Kabbalah.
Greetings in the name of Israel's Messiah! I'm writing from el Paso, Tx. Outside is 103 F, it's really hot! I have not written since March 2006. Tests and trials stand, but Yeshua gives us perseverance.
I'm typing my bulletin this second time. The last week on May, some friends allowed me to use their computer for my essay. When I went to an Internet café, to send my document to my e-mail account, a virus rewrote my file! (Could be the Almighty one working in my patience?)
Some friends told me they were bored. I am sure if they live to serve the Messiah of Israel, He will not let them to be in that state. The provision for Passover was a miracle! We did not have $ 20 USD for the Seder at the sinagogue. We only have some elements in our home. I came to El Paso that evening and a believer gave me an offering, and at 10:30 pm my mother and I were celebrating the Seder in our home. What a blessing!
During the week of Unleavened Bread we had several visitors. One friend from Villhermosa, Tabasco, Mx. That I had not seen him for 6 years .We enjoyed what G-d is doing in his ministry and life.
The period known as the "Count of the Omer" was of extreme tests. My mother began feeling overwhelming tired. Her old age, her diabetes (17 years) , the weather and the circunstances mix together. Besides I'm not an angel, because I rebel on the trial. I had a dental problem, but G-d is faithful.
Shavout (Pentecost) was celebrated in early June. Because we count on the traditional way, we celebrated it in our home. We shared the story of Ruth and the delivery of the commandments. The 1st Sunday on June I celebrated it on the Messianic Congregation. It was a blessing! On the same day I had an invitation for the departure of a pastor from a African-American congregation. I felt the Holy Spirit strongly. Jews and gentiles join IN Yeshua as a wave offering for the Heavenly Father. Baruch shmo (Blessed be the Name),
I'm in the process of learning limitations as fresh opportunities. Last weekend my mother and I came to El Paso for a wedding. Somebody gave us the ride on her car, but it was pretty much for my mother. But she really enjoyed it.
My financial trial has no been removed and the pressures have increased. I remember that "throughout it all, overwhelming victory is ours through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
Because of what you are going to read, you will understand why the spiritual battle is so strong.
Kabbalah history, definitions and effects.
The Hebrew word KBL (kabal) means receive. Friday night is called "kabbalah Shabbat"- receiving the Shabbat.
Cabala, kabala, qabala and Kabbalah are just different spelling of the same concept. Some stress that the jewish one is the one with "K". On this essay I will use Kabbalah.
There are two definitions for Kabbalah:
* It is a mystical/magical jewish tradition that began 2,000 years ago.
* Kabbalah is not a system as some think. It is a way of see and perceive the source of reality. In essence, Kabbalah is founded over mistical conceptions about life, death, creation and creator.- God is a Verb: Kabbalah and the practice of Mystical Judaism. David Cooper p 11, Riverhead Books, 1997
You need to consider before the four levels of interpretation in Judaism for our holy books.-
1. P'shat- Simple and literal.
2. Remez- Parable, Allegory used to affirm a teaching.
3. Drash- Mystic, midrash, anagogy.
4. Sod- Secret, transcendet, kabbalistic.
I will use the word Jerusalem to understand these four levels of interpretation.
1. The city located in Israel.
2. City related to peace.
3. City of G-d.
4. Research of every hebrew letter and even making calculations by the numerical values of the letters.
History:
The first references are the "merkabah" mystics (100-1000 CE) that entered into the seven courts (chekalot) of the creation to reach Merkabah (chariot-throne) of God. These mystics used fast, repetitive chants and prayers.
What we understand as kabbalah is more in clear during the Middle Ages. The Spanish jews (sephardim) used it a lot. Rabbi Moises de Leon wrote the Zohar (Splendor) in the XIII century. It is attributed to rabbi Shimon Ben Yochai of the 1st century CE. The Zohar is a commentary of the 5 books of Moses, Song of Solomon, Ruth & Lamentations that reveals the "hidden" meaning of them.
The book of Creation appears ascribing supernatural powers to the forms, sounds, positions and numerical values of the Hebrew letters.
Some important kabbalists:
Isaac Luria- (Ari-Lion) He lived in the XVI century. Some believe he lived in Egypt for more of 10 years. When in his 20's he traveled to Safed in Israel. Where he found and taught well known kabbalist. He worked the concept of "holy sparks" in modern kabbalism.
Abraham Abulafia (1240-1295) He believed in the divine nature of the Hebrew alphabet. He used combinations and permutations (tzeruf) of the letter during hours of meditation.
Moises Cordovero (1522-1570) He developed the school of Kabbalism in Safed, Israel.
In history, when there's an upheaval in Kabbalah, false messiahs show up. Some examples:
*Shlomo Molcho- He lived in Safed, Irael. Proclaimed the year 5300 (1540 CE) as the year of redemption. According to a kabbalist prophecy, before the appearance of Messiah, The Catholic Babylon (Rome) was destined to destruction. Rome was destroyed in 1527 by Charles V. The messiah never appeared. Molcho was burned at the stake by the Inquisition. The persecusion promoted the hope for the Messiah.
* Shabbetai Zevi- Born in Smyrna (1626 CE), well versed in Talmud. He studied kabbalah and concluded he was the Messiah. One Saturday morning on 1648 - year fixed by kabbalists as the beginning of the year of Salvation. He entered into a sinagogue, pronuncing the name of G-d, meaning the restoration of the perfect state for the Godhead. He was expelled by the local rabbis. He traveled through Constatinople, Salonica and Jerusalem. He created a network of followers. Shabbetai was denounced by a polish kabbalist to the sultan. The accusation was that he was a false messiah. On September 16, 1666 Shabbetai Zevi became Mohmet Effendi. He accepted the muslim faith.
* Jacob Frank- Born in Podolia, Ukraine in 1726. He presented a kabbalist theory of redemption mixing christian, muslim and jewish elements. In Poland he introduced himself as the new encarnation of Shabbetai Zevi. He ordered his disciples to call him "santo senior". He repudiated the Bible and the Talmud an he establish a new covenant based in the Zohar. The polish rabbis prohibited Frank's followers to enter in synagogues, unless they repented. From this point on the Zohar was banned to any jewish man below 30 years of age.
I need to name the founder of the hassidic sect of Judaism. He never cling to the title Messiah, but for some scholars the whole hassidic movement is based in kabbalist principles.
Eliezer de Medziboz- Known as the Baal Shem Tov (Master of the Good Name). He was born in Podolia, Ukraine in 1700. He was not attracted to the talmudic study. He rather was in the woods. He hid himself in a life of contemplation and kabbalist study. He invested some years preparing to be a "miracle worker" He looked for a relationship with G-d, more than with the formalism of Orthodox Judaism. It got my attention that hassidism showed up first in Podolia and Volhynia, regions controlled by the teachings of Shabbetai Zevi.
What has generated the Kabbalah?
* Prayers: Open any Siddur, and you'll find prayers created by kabbalists. Some examples: Yedid Nefesh (Loved of the soul), Shalom alechem, Leja Dodi (Come my beloved)
* Literature: You can pick up a copy of the novel "Golem" written by Gershom Scholem.
* Liturgy: Tu'B'Shevat Seder.
* Theology:
+ God is seen through his 10 Sefirot (attributes). In a very seductive way, G-d is set aside as a person to become 10 different forces.
+ Deeple study about angels and demons. The main purpose is control over them using their Hebrew names.
+ Soul Transmigration ( The soul of a just man, can be attached to a living one and finish a task not performed on his lifetime.)
+ Intepretation of death, heaven, hell and resurrection.
+ Reencanation
+ The source of good and evil.
It's difficult to setup this theme on this small essay.
What is your opinion? Do you believe this is compatible for a believer in Yeshua? I'm writing the following Bible verses:
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt 24:4
Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.
Amos 5:25-26
I ask your prayer, and I remember you in the Love of Israel's Messiah.
Carlos Perez
Cperez91@fmh-child.org