Esoterismo: la Cabbala ebraica

PUF - Pedagogia Umanistica Filosofica

10 Feb 202013:26

Summary

TLDRThe script delves into the mystical tradition of Kabbalah in Judaism, a divinely received oral tradition dating back to the Second Temple period. It emphasizes the creative reinterpretation of sacred texts through 'midrash' and introduces key concepts like the Tree of Life with its ten sefirot, representing the cosmic creation process. The script explores the spiritual journey from the material world to the divine, discussing the Kabbalistic view of reality as both monistic and dualistic, and highlighting the importance of both practical and theoretical Kabbalah in spiritual elevation and daily life rituals.

Takeaways

🔮 Kabbalah is the mystical tradition of Judaism, meaning 'received from above', dating back to the period of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, between 530 BCE and 515 BCE.
🗣️ Kabbalah emerged as a creative oral tradition that countered the rigidity of Judaism, focusing more on the interpretation and enrichment of the sacred texts rather than strict adherence to the letter of the Torah.
🌳 The concept of the 'Tree of Life' with ten sefirot is central to Kabbalah, explaining the process of the universe's creation from the infinite, unknowable divine source.
🧘‍♂️ Kabbalah's interpretative method, 'midrash', forms the basis of its teachings and is the foundation for the speculations found in its key texts, such as the Zohar, Sefer Yetzirah, and others.
🔄 The sefirot represent emanations of divine energy and are arranged in three columns, representing the paths of mercy, severity, and consciousness, offering a way for humans to ascend spiritually.
🕊️ The ultimate spiritual goal in Kabbalah is to ascend from the material world (malkut) back to the divine source (Ein Sof), a journey that retraces the ten sefirot in reverse order.
🌐 Kabbalah acknowledges the existence of five distinct spiritual worlds, including the primordial world of Adam Kadmon and the world of Asiyah, which includes the physical world and the coexistence of good and evil.
💭 The soul in Kabbalah is tripartite, consisting of the animal soul (nefesh), the moral soul (ruach), and the higher intellectual soul (neshamah), with the concept of reincarnation introduced in the Middle Ages.
🕉️ Kabbalah presents a monistic vision of reality but also incorporates elements of dualism, viewing the soul and body as separate entities that must be transcended to access higher spiritual realms.
🙏 Kabbalah practice involves daily rituals and gestures to remind practitioners that everything is filled with the divine presence, emphasizing the sanctity of the physical world as an expression of divine emanation.
📚 Kabbalah's esoteric aspect focuses on speculative thought, the importance of God's name, the Hebrew alphabet, and numerology, using these elements as a means to achieve spiritual elevation and intellectual purification.

Q & A

What is Kabbalah in the context of Jewish mysticism?
-Kabbalah is the mystical tradition of Judaism, literally meaning 'received from above,' indicating it is divinely inspired. It is an oral tradition that began around the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, between 530 and 515 BCE.
How does Kabbalah differ from the more literal interpretation of Jewish texts?
-While traditional Judaism is more faithful to the roots and focuses on the letter of the sacred texts, Kabbalah reinterprets and enriches the biblical texts with new elements not present in the literal interpretation, using a method called 'midrash.'
What are the key texts that form the basis of Kabbalistic tradition?
-The most important texts in Kabbalah are the Zohar, Sefer Yetzirah, Bahir, and Leica Lot, among others, which have been composed and form the foundation of Kabbalistic teachings.
Can you explain the concept of the 'Tree of Life' or 'Sefirot' in Kabbalah?
-The 'Tree of Life' or 'Sefirot' in Kabbalah represents the process of cosmic creation, emanating from the 'Ein Sof' or infinite divine, through ten emanations of energy that are arranged in three parts: central, right, and left, symbolizing different spiritual paths.
What is the spiritual goal for a Kabbalist in terms of the Sefirot?
-The spiritual goal for a Kabbalist is to ascend from the lowest Sefirah, Malkut or the manifest world, back to the highest Sefirah, Keter or the divine crown, achieving a state of spiritual elevation and union with the divine.
How does Kabbalah view the concept of God in relation to creation?
-Kabbalah views God as the 'Ein Sof,' an infinite and unknowable reality that appears as nothing to the human mind but is the most real aspect of God. From this divine 'nothingness,' the ten Sefirot emerge, representing the process of creation.
What are the five worlds in Kabbalah, and what do they represent?
-The five worlds in Kabbalah are Atzilut (the world of divine emanation), Beri'ah (the world of creation), Yetzirah (the world of formation), Asiyah (the world of action, including the physical world), and Adam Kadmon (the primordial world before creation).
Can you describe the tripartite division of the soul in Kabbalah?
-In Kabbalah, the soul is divided into three parts: nefesh (the animal soul shared with other animals), ruach (the soul of morality), and neshamah (the higher human soul associated with intellectual faculties).
What is the concept of reincarnation in Kabbalah, and when was it introduced?
-Reincarnation in Kabbalah, known as 'gilgul,' is the idea that a soul can be reborn into a new body after death. This concept was introduced during the medieval period and has ancient origins shared with other traditions such as Pythagoreanism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
How does Kabbalah reconcile the monistic and dualistic views of reality?
-Kabbalah holds a monistic view that there is only one reality, which is the divine spiritual reality. However, it also acknowledges a dualistic perspective where the soul and body are seen as separate, suggesting that the body is a manifestation of the spiritual reality, and one must transcend the physical world to realize this unity.
What are the two main forms of Kabbalah, and how do they differ?
-The two main forms of Kabbalah are Practical Kabbalah, which involves daily rituals and gestures to connect with the divine in all aspects of life, and Theoretical Kabbalah, which focuses on speculative aspects, the importance of God's name, and the Hebrew alphabet, often using numerology and intellectual contemplation to achieve spiritual elevation.
What role do mathematics and natural sciences play in Kabbalah?
-In Kabbalah, mathematics and natural sciences are seen as bridges to understanding the divine. When cultivated correctly, they can be used to access higher spiritual knowledge and elevate one's consciousness towards God, thus they are not to be dismissed or undervalued.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Mystical Tradition of Kabbalah

Kabbalah is the mystical tradition of Judaism, meaning 'received from above' or from God. This tradition is orally passed down since the Second Temple period in Jerusalem and gained prominence in medieval Western Europe. Kabbalah contrasts the rigid interpretation of sacred texts in traditional Judaism by creatively reinterpreting biblical texts through a method called Midrash. Key texts include the Zohar, Sefer Yetzirah, and Bachir. A fundamental concept is the 'Tree of Life,' representing the ten sefirot, or emanations of divine energy, and illustrating the process of creation. This system includes pathways for spiritual ascent, ultimately aiming to reach the divine crown, Keter. The creation process flows from Keter through various sefirot, representing wisdom, intelligence, mercy, rigor, beauty, and other divine attributes.

05:03

🌍 The Worlds and the Soul in Kabbalah

Kabbalah describes a hierarchy of five worlds: Adam Kadmon (primordial world), Atziluth (world of emanation), Beri'ah (world of creation), Yetzirah (world of formation), and Assiah (world of action). The human soul is also tripartite, consisting of the Nefesh (animal soul), Ruach (moral soul), and Neshamah (divine soul). Kabbalistic tradition includes reincarnation, aligning with ancient philosophies like Pythagoreanism and Eastern traditions. Central to Kabbalah is a monistic view of reality, seeing the physical world as a divine manifestation. The practice integrates dualistic elements, aiming to transcend the physical to access higher spiritual realms. This view harmonizes monism with a practical dualism, acknowledging the sanctity of the physical world as an expression of divine creation.

10:06

🕊️ Practical and Ecstatic Kabbalah

Kabbalah is divided into practical and ecstatic branches. Practical Kabbalah involves daily rituals and actions, emphasizing that every aspect of creation is imbued with divinity. This includes prayer, meditation (Kavanah), and a deep connection with the divine (Devekut). Ecstatic Kabbalah focuses on intellectual and mystical speculations, particularly the significance of God's name and the Hebrew alphabet's 22 letters. Techniques include isolation, chanting, and intellectual exercises to purify and elevate the soul. Mathematical and natural sciences are valued as bridges to divine understanding, aiding in transcending physical limitations to achieve spiritual elevation. Thus, Kabbalah views the physical and spiritual worlds as interconnected, promoting a positive evaluation of the material as a pathway to divine enlightenment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cabala

Cabala, or Kabbalah, is the mystical tradition of Judaism that literally means 'received from above,' indicating divine origin. It is passed down orally since the Second Temple period of Jerusalem (526-515 BCE) and became prominent in medieval Europe. Cabala is known for its creative oral tradition that contrasts with the more rigid, text-focused mainstream Judaism.

💡Second Temple of Jerusalem

The Second Temple of Jerusalem refers to the period between 526 and 515 BCE when the temple was constructed. This era is significant for the transmission of Kabbalistic traditions, which began during this time and were passed down orally, forming the foundation of Kabbalistic teachings.

💡Midrash

Midrash is an interpretative method used in Judaism to explore and expand upon biblical texts. In the context of Cabala, Midrash involves reinterpreting and enriching biblical narratives with new elements, which is fundamental to the speculative nature of Kabbalistic thought.

💡Sefer Yetzirah

The Sefer Yetzirah, or Book of Creation, is one of the most important texts in Kabbalistic tradition. It discusses the creation of the cosmos through the Hebrew alphabet and the concept of the ten sefirot, which are divine emanations or aspects of God.

💡Sefirot

Sefirot are the ten divine emanations that represent different attributes of God and the process of cosmic creation. They are arranged in a structure known as the Tree of Life, with pathways representing mercy, rigor, and consciousness, illustrating the spiritual journey from the material world (Malkut) to divine unity (Keter).

💡Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a central symbol in Kabbalistic tradition, depicting the ten sefirot and their relationships. It represents the process of creation and the spiritual path humans can take to ascend from the material world (Malkut) to the divine crown (Keter).

💡Ein Sof

Ein Sof, meaning 'without end,' refers to the infinite, unknowable aspect of God in Kabbalistic tradition. It is the source of all creation, from which the ten sefirot emanate. Ein Sof represents the ultimate, ineffable reality of God, which appears as nothingness to human perception.

💡Malkut

Malkut, or the Kingdom, is the lowest of the ten sefirot on the Tree of Life. It represents the material world and human experience. In Kabbalistic practice, the spiritual journey involves ascending from Malkut to higher sefirot, culminating in Keter, the divine crown.

💡Keter

Keter, meaning 'crown,' is the highest of the ten sefirot, representing the divine will or pure thought of God. It is the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey in Kabbalistic tradition, symbolizing the union with the divine and the highest point of spiritual elevation.

💡Reincarnation

Reincarnation, introduced into Kabbalistic thought during the Middle Ages, is the belief that the soul undergoes multiple lifetimes. This concept aligns with ancient traditions such as Pythagoreanism and Eastern philosophies, indicating the soul's journey towards spiritual perfection and union with the divine.

Highlights

Kabbalah is the mystical tradition of Judaism, meaning 'received from above' or from God, passed down orally since the time of the Second Temple.

Kabbalah emerged around the medieval period in Western Europe as a creative oral tradition in contrast to the more rigid, letter-focused approach of mainstream Judaism.

The Kabbalistic interpretative method, 'midrash', is foundational to Kabbalah's speculative ideas found in its key texts.

Important Kabbalistic texts include the Zohar, Sefer Yetzirah, and Bahir, which form the basis of Kabbalistic tradition.

The 'Tree of Life' with ten sefirot explains the process of cosmic creation from the infinite divine source.

The sefirot are emanations of divine energy, arranged in three columns representing mercy, severity, and consciousness.

The human spiritual journey involves ascending through the sefirot from the material world (Malkut) back to the divine source (Keter).

The ultimate spiritual goal is to rise from the manifested world to the pure divine thought, without becoming divine oneself.

Kabbalah speaks of five worlds, including the primordial world of Adam Kadmon and the world of creation (Yetzirah).

The soul in Kabbalah is divided into three parts: the animal soul (Nefesh), moral soul (Ruach), and the divine intellectual soul (Neshamah).

Reincarnation is a concept introduced in Kabbalah, with origins in ancient traditions like Pythagoreanism and Eastern philosophies.

Kabbalah's central tenet is a monistic vision of reality, yet it also acknowledges a dualistic perspective of the soul and body.

The physical world is seen as sacred in Kabbalah, being an expression of divine emanation.

There are two types of Kabbalah: practical Kabbalah, involving daily rituals and gestures, and theoretical Kabbalah, focusing on intellectual speculation.

Practical Kabbalah emphasizes that everything is filled with God, guiding daily life with specific practices to connect with the divine.

Theoretical Kabbalah delves into the significance of God's name, the Hebrew alphabet, and numerology to achieve spiritual elevation.

Devekut, or cleaving to God, involves purification practices like seclusion and intellectual focus to transcend thought and connect with divine essence.

Kabbalah values mathematical and natural sciences as bridges to understanding and connecting with the divine.

The positive evaluation of the physical world in Kabbalah reflects its underlying monistic philosophy, seeing the material as a manifestation of divine worlds.