How the written stage of Kabbalah revolutionized Jewish thought

New 4-volume book explores origins, development and key concepts of Kabbalah, tracing journey from oral traditions to written texts; scholars offer diverse perspectives on Jewish mysticism, making its rich history accessible to readers worldwide

The earliest texts that hint at the existence of a specific theological thought later known as Kabbalah originated in small towns in Provence and, to some extent, in northern France, the Rhine regions and northern Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The core ideas of Kabbalah later reached Christian Spain (Castile and Aragon). In this sense, the development of Kabbalistic thought mirrors that of Jewish philosophy, which also arrived in Spain from the south and east.
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ספר תפילה קבלי שמוצג במוזיאון היהודי של שווייץ שבבאזל
ספר תפילה קבלי שמוצג במוזיאון היהודי של שווייץ שבבאזל
A prayer book in Basel
(Photo: Dieter Hofer, Wikipedia)
“It’s possible the term ‘Kabbalah,’ in the sense of a specific theological thought, existed earlier. However, only during this period in Spain does it appear in a definitive historical context, one that can be verified and cross-referenced through various written sources,” explains Prof. Avriel Bar-Levav, a historian specializing in Jewish thought. Bar
-Levav, a faculty member in the Department of History, Philosophy and Judaic Studies at the Open University, co-authored the four-volume book Gate to Kabbalah: Pathways to Jewish Mysticism with Prof. Moshe Idel, a recipient of the Israel Prize in Jewish Studies and a prominent scholar of Kabbalah from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, along with other contributors.
According to Prof. Bar-Levav, Kabbalistic ideas first appeared in Spain in written form—or as he and his co-authors suggest, during what they describe as the “written stage.” This stage marks a transition from oral transmission to identifiable texts, whose context and authorship can be traced. This development played a significant role in organizing mystical Jewish knowledge—a term encompassing the hidden and esoteric realms of Judaism as found in Jewish philosophy, law, midrashic literature, rabbinic legends and broader Jewish tradition.
Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, has deep roots in Jewish thought, tracing back to early Jewish mysticism—such as the Heikhalot and Merkavah literature. These mystical texts, which likely originated during the Tannaitic and Amoraic periods (2nd to 5th centuries CE) in Roman-ruled Palestine, form the foundation of Kabbalistic thought.
The book, published by Lamda – The Open University, introduces new perspectives on various Kabbalistic terms, explores the roots of Kabbalah, and examines its key concepts and phenomena. It brings readers into contact with a selection of Kabbalistic texts within their historical context, analyzing them in terms of their time and language, and offers practical tools for understanding the “rich and diverse Jewish culture,” which can be explored through these fascinating and emotionally charged texts.
“The written words in these four volumes are vital to cultural unification, as part of Israel’s mission to act as a cultural center for the Jewish people,” says Prof. Bar-Levav, emphasizing his desire to make the material accessible to the general public. The book incorporates a mosaic of voices and perspectives from leading scholars in the field.
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ספר הזוהר
ספר הזוהר
Book of Zohar
(Photo: Shutterstock)
The first volume, Roots, introduces the topic and its biblical background. It examines concepts like symbol and revelation, surveys Kabbalistic research, and delves into the Bible’s role as the foundation for Jewish mystical ideas. Co-written with Bible scholar Prof. Israel Knohl, it also explores themes such as editing, the concept of evil, prophecy, and more. This volume includes an article by Finnish scholar Simo Parpola, highlighting the similarities between Kabbalistic concepts and ancient Assyrian ideas.
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The second volume, Buds, focuses on mystical elements in rabbinic literature and medieval Jewish thought. Topics include rabbinic literature, the Heikhalot texts, Ashkenazi Hasidism, Eastern Hasidism, and their interactions with Islamic mysticism. It also discusses figures like Rabbi Akiva and the story of "Four Who Entered the Orchard." Written by multiple authors, this volume presents a variety of approaches and perspectives.
The third volume, Blossoms, examines Kabbalah in Provence and Spain, discussing the earliest written Kabbalistic texts and their first recognized authors. It highlights figures like Rabbi Yitzhak Sagi Nahor, Nahmanides (Ramban) and Rabbi Abraham Abulafia. Central themes include interpretations of prayer, messianism, redemption as internal awakening and ecstatic states.
The fourth volume, Zohar, unveils the "Book of Splendor" (Sefer HaZohar), Kabbalah’s seminal text, alongside earlier mystical writings, such as speculative literature and the works of the priestly brothers. This volume explores Zoharic symbols, debates surrounding its authorship, its canonization, dissemination and language, and provides translated and explained selections from the Zohar.
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כריכת ההוצאה הראשונה של ספר הזוהר, מנטובה, 1558
כריכת ההוצאה הראשונה של ספר הזוהר, מנטובה, 1558
Zohar, 1558
(Illustration: Wikipedia)
“This is an academic textbook written for the Open University,” Prof. Bar-Levav explains, “but care was taken to ensure its explanations and style are clear and accessible to any educated reader.” The volumes were edited by Moshe Sperber, a veteran editor for the Open University, who managed to illuminate complex passages and organize the material in a readable and engaging way.
“One of the book’s unique features is the variety of voices it includes—those of scholars and Kabbalists alike,” Bar-Levav notes. The text also incorporates short appendices by prominent researchers like Yehuda Liebes, Haviva Pedaya and Moshe Halbertal, presenting a range of perspectives on understanding Kabbalah and its place in Jewish culture.
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