Kabbalah: The secret, the scandal, the soul

The text presented provides a broad historical overview of Kabbalah, exploring its origins, development, and influence on Jewish culture and beyond. It begins with the ancient Jewish mystical tradition, passes through the significant role that Kabbalah had in the European Renaissance, and arrives at the diffusion of this doctrine in the mystical and occult circles of the 16th and 17th centuries. The text also addresses the phenomenon of Hasidism, a Jewish religious movement born in the 18th century and strongly linked to Kabbalah, and analyzes different interpretations and applications of Kabbalah, including the Sabbatean and Rosicrucian movements. Finally, the influence of Kabbalah on popular culture and modern interpretations is discussed, with particular attention to the Kabbalah Centre of Los Angeles and its controversial methods.

Suggested Questions

What are the origins and main stages of Kabbalah throughout history?

How has Kabbalah been influenced by other religious and philosophical traditions?