Yeshua and Kabbalah

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Contents

[edit] PREFACE

Blog about this subject and this book


This books is about direct and indirect links or correspondences discovered between traditional mystical Judaism or original Hebrew biblical Kabbalah (mainly lurianic tradition) and secret meanings contained in the latest possible version or most completed collection of logia or key teachings of Yeshua (Jesus Christ) unearthed through last half of XX century, beginning from Nag Hammadi Library. In narrow sense it could mean direct comparison of deep meanings of such main sources as Sefer ha Zohar and Gospel of Thomas (NHC2.2). In broad sense it covers much wider traditions, sources and interpretations.

One of important goals stated in this book is that not only Yeshua's wisdom is coherent and absolutely the same eternal Jewish wisdom as Kabbalah (sod ha Torah), but much more - Yeshua's words and actions show not only same deep and level of allegory as Zohar's or other greatest Torah sages and more - his deeds are unprecedentedly perfect enactments of all key allegories of Torah. Far beyond imagination of men and even sages and prophets.

For material about Christian or Hermetic Kabbalah see Kabbalah_in_non-Jewish_society.


[edit] INTRODUCTION

Yeshua and Jewish Kabbalah describes a field of study related to a set of structural correspondences between material found in the logia of Yeshua, other Judeo-Christian, Jewish Christian, Messianic Jewish, Gnostic Christian material and Jewish mysticism, now known as Kabbalah. Such a comparison became possible after the discovery and spread of new religious texts throughout the 20th century, such as those found in the Nag Hammadi library.

The apparent correspondences still remain the subject of much controversy and ongoing debate between Jewish, Christian, Messianic and western occult schools of thought. Many of the participants in the western occult revival of the early twentieth century, though avowedly Christian, considered that Christ was an initiate of Jewish mysticism. The most prominent of these being Arthur Edward Waite and Dion Fortune. Baruch Ashlag, possibly relying on Lurianic tradition, states that Yeshua was obviously a student of the best Jewish mystical school of his time (called Sanhedrin, now reestablished). Ashlag claims that it was on account of his knowledge of Jewish mysticism that Yeshua's work had such a global effect. Jesus, before he was expunged from Sanhedrin, took a limited (mystical) knowledge, but even this knowledge led him to conquer almost all the world. [1]

[edit] Why Yeshua and not Jesus?

The Jewish form Yeshua is used here as the use of the name Jesus creates explicitly Christian connotations which redirect the whole question from its original Jewish context. And it is primarilly Jews, who do not see Jesus as the Christian god, who are the prime movers in this area of study [citation needed]. Although Christian Kabbalah considers the mystical nature and teachings of Jesus its understanding of this nature is quite different from the understanding of Jewish mysticism.

[edit] Short history of correspondences

The lack of exact historical knowledge regarding the persona and teachings of Yeshua, for example the search for the postulated lost textual source known as the Q document, has generated much debate. This has led to many comparisons being made between various fragments of extant sources related to him. Many of these comparisons were only comparisons of the texts e.g. A comparison of the Gospel of Thomas to the New Testament. It has been much rarer to find comparisons of the underlying structure of the spiritual teachings themselves, and this is the aim of this area of study.

Lurianic Kabbalah postulated [citation needed] that Yeshua was an expert in Jewish mysticism. This has been among the motivators for scholars who seek to make a comparison of the structures of modern Jewish mysticism (mostly in its Kabbalistic form) with the structures of the mystical teachings in Yeshua's recorded works. The last few decades have seen much of this type of comparison, from a variety of authors [citation needed].

In much the same way that the Q document is postulated to link the three synoptic gospels by being a common source for these gospels, reasearch into the Nag Hammadi Library and the work of Lurainic scholars now seeks to demonstrate that the structure of the mysticism expressed in the teachings of Yeshua corresponds directly to the structure of the mystical teachings of Judaism, especially its most important, mystical concepts and teachings [citation needed]. This outcome is hardly surprising given Yeshua's identity as a Jew.

[edit] ALLEGORY CORRESPONDENCES

These are already found correspondences, but probably there are a lot more.

[edit] Hamor, Ass or Donkey

The Zohar describes story of humble driver of an ass, Zechariah 9:9 "gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey". The same happens in a episode of Yeshua entering Jerusalem: Matthew 21:2 "saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me". Then Yeshua riding this youg colt enters Jerusalem.

[edit] 2 robbers

were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Matthew 27:38 - perfect allegory. Right and left lines are called robbers, enemies, hostile to each other in Kabbalah

[edit] 3 Trinity and Tree of Life

An mysterious and difficult dogmatic concept of Christianity has clear paralell with subject of central importance inside Jewish Kabbalah - "three lines" of the soul (Tree of Life or Shalosh Kavim in hebrew). There is no other more important spiritual triad inside Kabbalah and it's naming is almost the same as in Christian Trinity. Also it is a concept of Shilush in Messianic Jewish Theology. There are a lot of allegories of the Tree of Life, i.e. 3 or 2 mystical lines or kavim (cinnor and cinnorot too) in logia. This subject is very important for spiritual practice in Kabbalah. The same aspect could be found through concept of 3 mystical Godhead personalities in Christianity as Trinity.

[edit] 4 Gerim Tzaddikim

There is well known in Judaism, that converts to Judaism, or Gerim Tzaddikim are type of Jewish souls migrated through gilgul to other nations and that real converts in Judaism have special and unique spiritual status even equal to Levi. There are special mitzvas concerning Gerim Tzaddikim. Template:Bibleverse clearly points to search or visit that kind of the souls as "go to lost sheep of Israel" and Gospel of Thomas 107 allegory speaks about lost soul. This place suggests, that teaching of Yeshua could be neither for Jews, neither to Christians, but to these lost sheep only.

[edit] 5 partzufim

also 5 levels of the soul, 5 Worlds, 5 light types is the same as allusion of Five Trees in GOT

[edit] Two aspects of Messiah

well known in Kabbalah as (ben David and ben Yosef) in New Testament are clearly same aspects as Yeshua had (he was a descendant of David and son of Yosef). Plus Lurian Kabbalah explains Messiah as spiritual power, but not a Zeir Anpin (or person, what is instinctive thinking of most people) what changes point of attack to all problem of Historical Jesus and his messianity.

[edit] Tehyas Hameyshim

of Leshem Kabbalah or Resurrection of dead and expansion of Chokhmah through Tree of Life.

[edit] Temple

construction: Veil of the Holy of holies of Solomon's Temple and Masakh.

[edit] 10 commandments

Aseret dibrot is never explained in Christianity in such an exact way as in Kabbalah.

[edit] Lashon hara

and control of tongue (speech) - well documented not only in [Zohar]], Shulkhan * Ruah Hakodesh in Kabbalah and New Testament

[edit] Kavim - lines

For studies of Kabbalah there is one essential but very deep topic. It is called kav or kavim what is energy lines inside soul or Tree of Life. From the learning and practicing of these lines starts first point of ascension, evolution or spiritual work. A lot of books are written about this subject, while it remains obscure and difficult to understand. Reading of logia from Gospel of Thomas suddenly shows clear links to this obscure aspect of Kabbalah, especially sayings

(47) Jesus said, "It is impossible for a man to mount two horses or to stretch two bows. And it is impossible for a servant to serve two masters; otherwise, he will honor the one and treat the other contemptuously. No man drinks old wine and immediately desires to drink new wine. And new wine is not put into old wineskins, lest they burst; nor is old wine put into a new wineskin, lest it spoil it. An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment, because a tear would result. Source

(48) Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other in this one house, they will say to the mountain, 'Move Away,' and it will move away.

What is exact explanation of what Rabbi Ashlag explains in his book "Shamati" [2]

[edit] Galgaltha and Golgoth

Galgaltha in Kabbalah and Golgoth as a crucifixion place maybe one of the most unique and intriguing previously unknown or forgotten links, showing old scheme of Jerusalem seen from above with geomantic scheme of spiritual parcufim.

[edit] Eli, Eli, lama sabahtani?

was a clear emanation of emotional faculty of Zeir Anpin.

[edit] Not to look into women

Exactly the same prohibition is said for men in New Testament gospels and ashlagian teaching: men are weak in eyes control. They should never look at other wifes, except their own. This is in general Judaism, Kabbalah and the same in Yeshua words.

[edit] Malchut shamaim

[edit] Gilgulim neshamot

After "Gates of Reincarnation" famous work of Isaac Luria was transalted to english - mentioning of reincarnation in gospels became obvious too. There is earlier unexplained discussion between Yeshua and his followers about John the Baptist's origin as Elijah (prophet) many (e.g. Template:Bibleverse,Template:Bibleverse,Template:Bibleverse), although he himself explicitly denies this . A list of Jesus genealogy at the beginning of Gospel of Matthew is another example too. Also read Bible and reincarnation.

[edit] Mitzvot

Messianic Jewish theology earlier found a gospel allusion still ignored by Christian theology - Jewish mitzvot as "least commandments" in New Testament Matthew 5:19. Kabbalah explains, that 10 commandments splits into small commandments called mitzvot.

[edit] 2 essential commandments of Torah

Are exactly the same in ashlagian kabbalah and teaching of Yeshua in New Testament


[edit] NOTES

[edit] Main premises of finding these correspondences:

We are only beginning to understand the significance and impact of the so-called "Christian Kabbalah" on the history and development of western thought New Kabbalah.

  1. global spreading of Lurian-Ashlagian Kabbalah through such schools as Kabbalah Center and RAMLAN beginning from the end of 20th century;
  2. opening of famous 1945 gnostic goldmine fund of secret logia of Jesus from the Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi Library). This fund (and other simlar new archeological funds) open advenced teaching of Jesus, not known for Christianity before;
  3. development of various Jewish concepts of Yeshua, fairly different from Christian view of Jesus: through Messianic Judaism and various scools of Nazarene and Jewish Notzrim focusing on original Jewish teaching of Yeshua, using aramaic Peshitta and hebrew translation of NT (B'rit Hadasha). These concepts devoloped much earlier, at least from 19th century.

[edit] Other premises

Other background premises of this topic are based on:

  1. belief or knowledge, that Yeshua was a real historical person, that his teaching (as he himself states) was fulfillment of the Torah or written law
  2. belief or knowledge, that Jewish Kabbalah started back from Abraham himself or times of Abraham (but not from Middle Ages or Renessaince) and is a Sod ha Torah, i.e. deepest spiritual level and key of all Torah

This innovative religious trend of discussions and exploration within a modern Jewish Kabbalah study groups of former Christian background rises with a goal to understand deep links between Judaism and Christianity in general, i.e. Jewish Kabbalah and teaching of Yeshua especially. It tends to confirm (or deny) that logia of Yeshua have obvious allegories of secret Jewish mysticism with a level and type of allegory same to the Torah or the Zohar.

That's why there are no deep studies, except New Age, esoteric or occult books on the subject. Infact - near subject. Anyway this topic is of big importance for both correct understanding of Gospel of Thomas, all collection of logia, Quelle of New Testament and for Jewish Kabbalah studies too. Especially to those experts, who study important aspects of left and right lines inside Jewish Kabbalah.

At the beginning of 21th century we have a critical mass of obvious correspondences to see teaching of Yeshua in completely new light.

[edit] Place of non-Jewish Kabbalah

The subject of Christian Kabbalah is well known in a West, but before expansion of ashlagian kabbalah all adherents of Kabbalah used non Jewish material of Mirandola/Kircher Hermetic Quabbala. This occult latin interpratation in fact has nothing in common with real Jewish Kabbalah, so all links between Hermatic Quabbala and Jesus teaching were weak.

Links were weak because other reason too - knowledge of logia of Jesus were weak at these times too. After 1945, when gnostic goldmine of Nag Hammadi Library was found times changed. But preparation, translations, studies, explorations of these unique texts continued few decades, until only 10 years ago we got a possibility to read and compare new collections of logia and good translations of old Kabbalah.

Yeshua correspondences with Jewish Kabbalah is not the same thing as Christian or Hermetic Kabbalah, while it has some common points too.

[edit] Difference

  • Only complete taking Jesus back from Christian to pure Jewish context ("converting him back" to Judaism) naming him as Yeshua, thinking in Judaism terms lets to see obvious correspondences with Judaism (only through structure of Kabbalah allegories) never seen in Christian context. Messianic Judaism made first step to this direction earlier, "converting" Jesus to Yeshua.
  • After 1990-2000s we have next step - new and wide material of logia, Gnostic-Jewish interpretations (very similar to Jewish Kabbalah) and knowledge of teaching of Yeshua at the completely new level unknown in Renaissance, especially after Nag Hammadi fund.
  • Now we have completely different situation with Kabbalah sources available for public than it was in Renaissance. Instead of latin occult interpretations we have for public access primary and original material of Jewish Kabbalah.

Common: Those who studied Christian Kabbalah from times of Renessaince tried to prove similar correspondances, but from completely different angle - their task was either to prove and strenghten Christian doctrine through Kabbalah, either Renaissance humanists attempted to Christianize Kabbalah.

More Kabbalah_in_non-Jewish_society

[edit] REFERENCES

  1. ↑ 3 introductory books by Baruch Ashlag translated as "The Spiritual Secret in Judaism reveals the principles in simple style", by Michael Laitman. Vol 3. Israel 1984 Russian edition 1993 Novosibirsk, part 3, page 58. ISBN 5-7664-0934-6
  2. ↑ The Work Along the Three Lines

[edit] General

  • Zusha Kalet has written Kabbalah of Yeshua that is being described as a Mystical Masterpiece on Amazon which is a wonderfull new addition to the kabbalistic tradition.
  • Avi ben Mordechai Has a three volume set called MESSIAH-Understanding his life and teachings, in which he touches some of the basic concepts of Kabbalah related to the Besorot. ISBN 0-9643355-4-9
  • Gnosis Of The Cosmic Christ by Tau Malachi "The Kabbalah is an archaic system of Jewish Mysticism that has its roots in the assembly of prophets of ancient Israel and the Merkavah Mysticism..." ISBN: 0738705918
  • Blau, Joseph Leon/Thenaud, Jean The Christian interpretation of the cabala in the renaissance reprinted 1965, 1944 BM 525 B55 1944
  • Wirszubski, Chaim Pico della Mirandola's encounter with Jewish mysticism Harvard University Press : Cambridge, 1988 B 785 P54 W57 1989
  • The Christian Kabbalah: Jewish Mystical Books and Their Christian Interpreters (Harvard College Library) by Joseph Dan ISBN: 0914630199

[edit] Events

  • Mystical Encounters New exhibition at Houghton shows how Renaissance scholars used ancient Jewish Kabbalah to prove Christian doctrines
  • Coudert, A. P. “Leibniz, Locke, Newton and the Kabbalah” / Allison P. Coudert. // IN: The Christian Kabbalah : Jewish mystical books & their Christian interpreters : a symposium / edited by Joseph Dan. – Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard College Library, 1997.

[edit] Trinty

[edit] Reincarnation

[edit] Addenda

A letter about the same topic

Shalom!!! I would like you to be more specific in your question. Since I am not sure if you are talking about Yahshuah teaching Kabbalah as we know it today or if Kabbalah is related at all with the Besorot. But I will mention certain points that maybe will answer your question.

  1. Yochanan 1 speaks of mashiach Yahshuah as what is know today in Kabbalah Adam Kadmon, the primordial man.
  2. Yahshuah performs Tikkun Israel- Restoration of all Israel.
  3. The malkuth of YHWH- a concept taught by kabbalist for more than 2000 years.
  4. The Tzadik Way, Yesod/Tifaret, Torah and Glory, the way to Salvation
  5. Born Again, a concept known by kabbalist as been born again in Binah (waters)
  6. Mikvek of Aish (fire)
  7. Mekavah - Yahshuah transfiguration and resurrection is known as Merkavah mysticism in Judaism.
  8. The body of Mashiach - we are all sparks or members of this mystical body.
  9. Netzer- branch- from the Tree of Life
  10. Sacrificed in the tree of Good and Evil, and then becoming the Tree of Life.
  11. One with the Father like Adam Kadmon and the Angel of YHWH (Metatron).
  12. Talked in parables to common people yet spoke clear to his Talmidim.
  13. Gilgul- Reincarnation a concept that is very different from the one taught by eastern pagan traditions.
  14. Ben Elohim- Ben Adam
  15. His name Yahshua - Yeshua = YHWH + Sh = YH Sh WH - Yahshuah
  16. The veil of the Temple
  17. Adam- Edom- Adom- Adamah
  18. and other teachings in the letters of Shaul and the other Talmidim specially Hebrews and revelation which are Kabbalaistic text and only can be decoded with the knowledge of such tradition, otherwise they just bring confusion and wrong teaching that do not go in accord with Torah.

Some people do not see the relationship of kabbalah and the teachings of Yahshuah. I was one of those seven years ago. But when one looks close enough and without a "churchy" mind, but with a renewed hebraic mind we will see the relationship and Mashiach will become more than just a Savior. Take the opportunity to learn more about it. I am not the only one out there talking about this. The HaKadosh Barukh Hu, has given Wisdom, Knowledge, and understanding to other peole who are not afraid to be rejected. Just to mention a few :

  • Avi ben Mordechai. Has a three volume set called MESSIAH-Understanding his life and teachings, in which he touches some of the basic concepts of Kabbalah related to the Besorot. ISBN 0-9643355-4-9

There are more sources but this two are the most reliable books I found. On the internet there is one site that is the best so far to study the Besorot. It is www.yashanet.com

I hope I answer your question. Feel free to make more questions as you want. B'Shalom

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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