cabbala etymology

Etymology and Meaning:

The word "cabbala" (also spelled Kabbalah) comes from the Hebrew word קַבָּלָה (qabbālā), which literally means "reception" or "tradition." In its technical sense, Cabbala refers to a Jewish mystical tradition that interprets the Hebrew Bible and its commentaries in allegorical, esoteric, and symbolic ways.

Origin:

The exact origins of Cabbala are uncertain, but it is thought to have developed gradually over centuries. Elements of Cabbala can be found in ancient Jewish texts, such as the Book of Enoch and the Zohar (mid-13th century), a collection of mystical texts.

Key Concepts and Beliefs:

Cabbala is based on the belief that there is a hidden dimension to the Torah (the Hebrew Bible) that contains deep spiritual truths. Practitioners of Cabbala seek to unlock these truths through contemplative meditation, the study of symbols, and the manipulation of language.

Some key concepts in Cabbala include:

• The Emanation of God: God is seen as the infinite and unknowable source of all being, from which emanate ten divine attributes or "sephiroth."
• The Tree of Life: A mystical diagram that represents the ten sephiroth and the interconnections between them.
• The Four Worlds: Different levels of existence through which the divine light manifests itself.
• Reincarnation: The belief that souls undergo multiple lives in order to learn and grow.
• Practical Magic: Some forms of Cabbala incorporate magical practices, such as talismans and incantations.

Influence and Significance:

Cabbala has had a profound influence on Jewish thought and culture, as well as on Western esotericism and mysticism. It has inspired movements such as Hasidism and the Theosophical Society.

In the 20th century, Cabbala gained wider recognition through the writings of Gershom Scholem, a prominent historian of Jewish mysticism. Today, Cabbala continues to be studied and practiced by a diverse range of people seeking spiritual growth and understanding.

cabbala relate terms

• cabal

  Etymology The word cabal has its origins in the Hebrew word kabbalah which means to

• cabbala

  Etymology and Meaning The word cabbala also spelled Kabbalah comes from the Hebrew w

• cabala

  Etymology Hebrew קַבָּלָה Qabbalah Meaning Received tradition or oral

• cabbala

  Etymology and Meaning The word cabbala also spelled Kabbalah comes from the Hebrew w

• secret

  Etymology of Secret Old French seceret Latin secretum something kept back Proto

• resect

  Etymology First used in the 16th century Derived from the Latin word resectus which

• theosophy

  Etymology and Meaning of Theosophy The term theosophy is derived from the Greek words

• leviathan

  Etymology Ultimate origin Biblical Hebrew liwyathan leviathan Latin form leviath

• nurse

  Etymology Middle English nurse Old English nurse Proto Germanic nurstiz Proto Indo E

• oven

  Etymology From Middle English ovene from Old French ovne from Vulgar Latin ŏfnus fr

• nerve

  Etymology The word nerve comes from the Latin word nervus which means sinew tendo

• revelation

  Etymology Revelation has its roots in the Latin word revelare which means to uncover

• dismay

  Etymology Middle English dismayen verb dismay noun Old French desmaier verb des

• orphan