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Kabbalah, (alternative spellings: Qabbalah, Cabala, Kabala or kabbala) is the traditional name for the teachings of Jewish mysticism.

Translated from Hebrew, 'Kabbalah' is defined as 'what is handed down or received', or 'The Act of Receiving'.

It is a system that inspires believers to attempt an interaction with God on a personal level of the highest intensity.

The teachings date back nearly 2,000 years; early writings describe the wondrous journeys that sages took to angel-filled, heavenly palaces where they witnessed the divine presence. Other writings explain the mysteries of creation.

In the Middle Ages, Kabbalah thrived in Spain back in the 1200's; a mystic named Moses de Leon was thought to have authored the "Zohar" (Book of Splendor). Originally, de Leon claimed to have 'discovered' the Zohar but some doubt has arisen concerning this.

In Palestine (now Israel), a second center of Kabbalah evolved in the 1500's. A rabbi, born in Jerusalem, by the name of Isaac Luria, taught a doctrine called "Tikkun" (meaning 'repair'.)

In the 1700's, a Kabbalah movement known as Hasidism, began in Poland and spread throughout Eastern Europe.

In modern times, Kabbalah has become popular with many people seeking ways to explore their spirituality in order to interact with the divine world.

Learn more about this author, David Braybrooke.
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