|
An
Overview Of Kabbalah
Kabballa is an interpretation (exegesis, hermeneutic) key,
"soul" of the Torah (Hebrew Bible), or the religious mystical system
of Judaism claiming an insight into divine nature.
The term "Kabbalah" was originally used in Talmudic texts, among the
Geonim, and by early Rishonim as a reference to the full body of publicly
available Jewish teaching. In this sense Kabbalah was used in referring to all
of known Oral Law. Over time it became a reference to doctrines of esoteric
knowledge concerning God, God's creation of the universe and the laws of nature,
and the path by which adult religious Jews can learn these secrets.
Kabbalah, according to the more recent use of the word, stresses the esoteric
reasons and understanding of the commandments in the Torah, and the occult cause
of events described in the Torah. Kabbalah includes the understanding of the
spiritual spheres of creation, and the ways by which God administers the
existence of the universe.
According to practitioners of Kabbalah, the human soul has three elements, the
nefesh, ru'ach, and neshamah. The nefesh is the part of the soul found in all
humans, and enters the physical body at birth. It is the source of one's
physical and psychological nature. The next two portions of the soul are not
included at birth, but can be developed over time; their development depends on
the actions and beliefs of the individual. These higher developments are said to
fully exist only in people who are fully awakened spiritually. A Kabbalah
explanation of the three parts of the soul is as follows:
•Nefesh - the lower part, or "animal part", of the soul. It is
linked to instincts and bodily cravings.
•Ruach - the middle soul, the "spirit". It contains the moral
virtues and the ability to distinguish between good and evil.
•Neshamah - the higher soul, or "super-soul". This separates man
from all other lifeforms. It is related to the intellect, and allows man to
enjoy and benefit from the afterlife. This part of the soul is provided both to
Jew and non-Jew alike at birth. It allows one to have some awareness of the
existence and presence of God.
The Raaya Meheimna discusses the two other parts of the human soul, the chayyah
and yehidah first mentioned in the Midrash Rabbah. Gershom Scholem writes that
these "were considered to represent the sublimest levels of intuitive
cognition, and to be within the grasp of only a few chosen individuals".
The Chayyah and the Yechidah do not enter into the body like the other three.
Chayyah - The part of the soul that allows one to have an awareness of the
divine life force itself.
Yehidah - the highest plane of the soul, in which one can achieve as full a
union with God as is possible.
Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in
Navarre Florida.Get more information on Kabbalah at http://www.emerald-energies.com
[ Home ] [ Up ]
|
Publishing & Consulting