Jewish Mysticism: Kabbalah
Kabbalah is a centuries-old strain of Jewish mysticism that has recently entered the public spotlight through celebrities such as Madonna and their adoring fans. The Hebrew word Kabbalah means "what has been handed down." Kabbalah is an acknowledged tradition within Jewish life and is yet another reminder that if Judaism is a river, it is one that may branch off into many streams. Kabbalah is a stream of mystical teaching that deals with a "hidden knowledge" related to the "concealed" meaning of the Torah (Jewish Law).
Jewish mysticism can trace its roots to the Gnostic teachings of the first century with examples found within the Hebrew Bible itself. Yet modern Kabbalah only dates back to the twelfth century, to the Sefer Bahir (Book of the Brilliant Light) and the Sefer Zohar (Book of Splendor), written a century later. There are a number of "schools" of Kabbalah, each of which draws upon a particular body of teachings or the work of a charismatic figure.
The heart of Kabbalistic teaching is the pursuit of secret knowledge. It is an age-old belief that the secret of life lies within a mystery that may be unlocked by an elite group of people. One of Kabbalah's keystone beliefs is that true interpretation of Scripture is based on knowledge hidden in the words, letters, numbers, and even the accent marks in the Hebrew text. Therefore, a "plain reading" of the Scripture is not sufficient, and only those who possess the secret key to interpretation may know its mysteries.
Having been a peripheral part of the Jewish world for hundreds of years, Kabbalah is certainly nothing new. However, detaching Kabbalah from the rest of Judaism and combining it with New Age teachings is a recent phenomenon. In a way, this ought not to be surprising: in a culture that exalts "spirituality" and scorns "religion," Kabbalah is ripe for rediscovery. Its fascinating symbols - such as the red string bracelet said to ward off the "evil eye" - exert a powerful attraction. Also, the idea of getting the inside scoop on "forbidden" knowledge has always been alluring.
The Scripture, however, tells a different story: "For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off" (Deuteronomy 30:11). Moreover, Jesus the Messiah proclaims that truth is available to anyone, not just those privy to "hidden knowledge" - "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:9-10).
This open invitation to everyone is a refreshing contrast to the elitism that underlies all types of "mystery religions." Ultimately, the only mystery worth knowing is no longer a secret: it has been revealed in Jesus the Messiah, who has made His life available to anyone who will come to Him humbly seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
