Judaism and Kabbalah

A repost of a comment of mine over at RespondingtoJblogs.

"From the kaballah I have learned, it seems to be nothing but gibberish. Of course you should only study such things until your "ready" for them.

Does anyone actually understand the sefirot and klepah and such?


I am not claiming to be an expert, and I am far from a wise and learned person, but I believe, I understand the sefirot and klepah and such.

What I have found in studying kabbalah is 3 key points.

1. First, you have to learn breadth of knoweldge, and not question anything you read. Just take it on face value, and pretend its describing a fantasy world. Once you get breadth of knoweledge, then you can go back and start reading everything in a way where you try to fit how this reflects reality. The reason for this, is that kabbalah is written in imagery for the mind that is not ment to reflect reality, but rather give you a starting point to see that which can not be seen within your own thinking. I am a very visual person, I remember things by the picture I see in my head. At this point in my studies of Kabbalah, I can't see pictures, I have to remember the "hints of thought" that I get when I read, because the images are not complete enough for me.


2. The system of Kabbalah is inherrently irrational. Torah and Gemorah is rational, Kabbalah is the counter balance which allows a person understand the irrational aspects of the other wise rational system. This is because human beings are irrational, and sometimes Halacha, Gemorah, Torah, is appealing to our human side, not our Computer robot rational side.

Let me try to explain how Kabbalah is irrational. In kabbalah, we say there are 10 sephirot. But really, we have 11, but really only 9 are "accessible" but really, 10 are accessible (if you include the 11th), but really, all of them are accessible because none of them are Gd, but there are only 10. This may seem like nonsense, but really it makes sense in a human mind, non rational way.

To me, Kabbalah is giving intelect to your emotions, its a means of awakening a means to trust your emotions on a level that allows you to work as a full human being, and removes the dichotomy of emotional/rational.. or heart/mind etc etc. It basically allows a person to be a single unit instead of a duality.

As for comments about being "ready"-- its true, in a way. The only thing you have to be ready for, is how to compartamentalize. You need to follow halacha(Or some clear cut system that tells you Yes/No) to protect yourself from the dangers of Kabbalah, which opens a person up into seeing everything as Yes AND No.
Daganev | Homepage | 09.10.06 - 2:38 pm | #"


Two more points to make.

1. Everyone who is part of these discussions about things nobody can ever know, be sure to read Chagigah Perke Bet Mishna 1

2. I am utterly convinced now of my dualistic theory.

1. If you do not believe in Kabbalah you working on a system that is irrational and supersticious.

2. If you believe in the Kabbalah you are working on a system that is rational and realistic.