Parallels Between Kabbalah and Gnosticism

An amazing video with a scholarly discussion of Gnosticism and Kabbalah is available on the Orthodox Jewish “Judaism Demystified” Youtube channel.

In the video the man being interviewed is an apparently brilliant Christian scholar on Gnosticism, an ancient heresy that arose around the 2nd century and attracted both Jews and Christians.

There are actually amazing parallels between Gnosticism and Kabbalah (Kabbalah discussion starts around 1:10).

There is good evidence that Kabbalah simply cloaks some pagan/Gnostic ideas in Hebrew terminologies.

For example, there is an unknowable, ultimate, good deity (the Ein Sof) who emanates lower deities (Gnostic aeons / Kabbalistic “partzufim” such as Abba, Imah).

The lower deities (Emah in the Zohar / Gnostic aeons) emanate an evil world in rebellion against the Ein Sof (the world is the ultimate “klipah”, all worldly matters are evil – see Chabad’s Tanya).

The lower deities (Kabbalistic partzufim / Gnostic aeons) are in pairs with male/female genders. They have sexual relations and produce new deities (Abba + Emah gave birth to Zeir Anpin).

Divine sparks have fallen from the ultimate deity that have to be “liberated” by us.

Gnosticism – Kabbalah

Revitalizing Classical (non-Kabbalistic) Torah Theology

In the last few hundred years, it appears there has occurred an increasing emphasis on esoteric Kabbalistic theologies, theologies that most intelligent Jews cannot effectively comprehend. During this time certain classical (non-Kabbalistic) Torah theologies seem to have become neglected or sometimes even suppressed.

The Daf Yomi review website contains English translations with commentaries of all the “shaarim” (Gates) of the Torah classic Chovos HaLevavos (Duties of the Heart), written by Rabeinu Bahya ibn Paquda in the 11th century C.E.

The first gate of Chovos HaLevavos, known as Shaar HaYichud, contains a very clear and rational explanation of classical Torah theology. The English translation of Shaar HaYichud posted on the dafyomireview site also contains very useful translations of some of the major rabbinic commentaries written on Shaar HaYichud.

Shaar HaYichud

In my opinion the concepts explained in ShaarHaYichud are essential to understanding Torah theology and have not been superceded by later Kabbalistic writings.

Authenticity of Kabbalah

There appear to be serious Torah authenticity issues with much of what is called “Kabbalah” nowadays.

My use of the term “Torah authenticity” refers to evidence, if it exists, that a particular concept or set of concepts can be traced to valid, ancient Torah sources such as the Jewish Bible and/or Talmud. Or whether a particular concept conflicts with ancient Torah sources.

The Mishna is certainly a valid, ancient Torah source.

“Kabbalah” claims to be the esoteric Torah teachings.
A well known Mishna refers to the esoteric Torah teachings:

„אֵין דּוֹרְשִׁין בָּעֲרָיוֹת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה, וְלֹא בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית בִּשְׁנַיִם, וְלֹא בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה בְּיָחִיד, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הָיָה חָכָם וּמֵבִין מִדַּעְתּוֹ.
MISHNA: One may not expound the topic of forbidden sexual relations before three; nor the work of the Creation before two nor by oneself the work of the Chariot, unless he is wise and understands on his own.”

The ancient Torah sages organized the esoteric Torah teachings in two categories, the Work of the Creation and the Work of the Chariot. The ancient Torah sages prohibited teaching the esoteric Torah subjects publicly.

This raises a number of severe questions about the authenticity of the “Kabbalah”. For example, how can the present “Kabbalah” constitute the esoteric Torah teachings, since those teachings were not allowed to be publicly taught by the Torah sages?

Rabbeinu Nissim (Ran) was one of the great medieval rabbis who wrote extensively. Ran composed a series of sermons (drashot) known as Derashot HaRan. In the first Drasha, Chapter 1, Ran provides a detailed explanation of what topics are discussed in the Work of the Creation and the Work of the Chariot.

Derashot HaRan

In Ran’s drasha, there seems to be no mention of the “Kabbalah” and its specialized terminology such as “sefirot”, “tzimtzum”, “Ein Sof” etc. This suggests that what is referred to as “Kabbalah” nowadays has no real relationship to what the ancient Torah sages referred to as the Work of the Creation and the Work of the Chariot.

Much of what we call “Kabbalah” today thus appears to be a set of highly speculative concepts invented since the Middle Ages that may have no Torah authenticity.

Kabbalistic Internet Preachers: They Are Not Prophets

Are the Kabbalistic Internet Preachers Prophets Who Know God’s Thoughts?

Do we have to believe the claims of extreme Internet “preachers” that “Hashem brought Hamas on October 7, 2023 to murder Jews”?

In short, I believe the answer is no.

To claim to know God’s thoughts, or to claim that the Hamas massacre is “God’s punishment”, one would have to be a prophet. I’m not aware we have any prophets today.

What we do know is that Hashem gave the non-Jews 7 laws to obey, including a law prohibiting murder.

Various popular Hareidi Internet preachers such as Yaron Reuven may expect us to believe that Hashem brought Hamas to slaughter Jews, but we can easily find classical Torah sources that directly refute that claim.

It is apparent that a decree of “galut” (exile) by Hashem does not give the non-Jews license to throw Jewish babies into the Nile, or to behead them (as occurred recently in Israel).

In several of the major commentaries (including Rashi, Ramban, Radak and others) on this verse (Genesis 15:14) in the Torah, it is quite clear that both Egypt AND the other empires who murder and oppress the Jews were not given authority to do so by Hashem, and they will be destroyed by Hashem for the evil they did to the Jews.

“וְגַ֧ם אֶת־הַגּ֛וֹי אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲבֹ֖דוּ דָּ֣ן אָנֹ֑כִי וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֥ן יֵצְא֖וּ בִּרְכֻ֥שׁ גָּדֽוֹל׃
but I will execute judgment on the nation they shall serve, and in the end they shall go free with great wealth.”
(Genesis 15:14)

“גם את הגוי אשר יעבודו אדין על החמס אשר יעשו להם
so will I bring judgment upon the nation that will enslave them (the Jews) for the HAMAS (violence) they (the Egyptians) will do to them…
It was their malice that brought upon the Egyptians the great punishment which utterly destroyed them…
it is clear that throwing Hebrew children into the river was not included in the decree (that the Egyptians enslave the Hebrews)…
another reason for punishment in the case of the king of Babylon, i.e., for his having added to the decree and having exceedingly perpetrated evil against Israel…a twofold punishment come upon him: his people were utterly destroyed, there remaining of Babylon no name and remnant, offshoot and offspring“
(Ramban’s commentary on Bereisheet 15:14)

Critiques of Zohar & Kabbalah

Most “Baalei Tshuvah” (returnees to Judaism) today may not be aware that there exists a quiet subculture of traditional Orthodox rabbis who question the origins of “Kabbalah”. Recently I had some interesting discussions with two different non-Chassidic senior rabbis and Torah scholars about the origins of “Kabbalah”. The rabbis indicated to me that there are almost no ancient traditional Torah sources (ie Chazal) for most or much of what is being taught as “Kabbalah” nowadays. As I see it, this is a serious issue that Orthodox Jews, especially “Baalei Tshuvah”, must be willing to face honestly.

Today there are many “popular” Kabbalah teachers who claim that the Zohar was written by Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai about 1800 years ago, so therefore the Zohar has the same status as the Talmud, and we must accept the Zohar’s theology and practices.

I am presenting here some good sources expressing critiques and valid alternate viewpoints on the origin of the Zohar and the validity of various Kabbalistic beliefs and practices. My purpose is not to tell Jews what they must believe, but I do believe it is important for all Jews to hear alternate opinions (which are normally ignored) besides those presented by Chabad, Kabbalists, and “kiruv” activists.

By citing these sources I am NOT claiming that none of the Kabbalah is true or that none of it has any value.

1) In this video, the famous rabbinic historian Rabbi Berel Wein cites various great Torah authorities disputing the claim that the Zohar was written by Talmudic sages.

2) In the book Mitpachat Seforim by Rav Yaakov Emden zt”l, Rav Emden rejects claims that the Zohar was authored by Chazal, and denounces certain statements in the Zohar Rav Emden considers heretical.

https://www.sefaria.org/Mitpachat_Sefarim.1?lang=bi

3) In the Jewish law code, Shulchan Aruch, on Lag Ba’Omer practices, there is NO mention of making bonfires, shooting arrows, or the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai, etc. How authentic are those customs?

https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.493.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=bi

4) Rav David Bar-Hayim cites a manuscript from a close talmid of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook zt”l that the Zohar was written during the Middle Ages, and it was NOT written by Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai (about 1800 years ago), as is often claimed.

5) Tohar HaYihud – A rather strong but scholarly critique of certain concepts presented by the Kabbalists which appear to be contradicting the monotheism of the medieval rabbis. I am not claiming this treatise is the final word on this very complex subject, but this treatise does identify some essential theological issues.

Click to access ToharHayihud.pdf

6) “Maaseh Merkava” is the term used by the Talmud to describe the secret Torah theologies known by the ancient Torah Sages. However the Mishnah6 in Chagigah 11b prohibits teaching these secrets publicly, so what exactly is the “Kabbalah” being taught for the last few hundred years? How could any prohibited teachings become mandatory public halachic practices?

https://www.sefaria.org/Chagigah.11b.6-24?lang=bi

Mount Meron Disaster

Certain practices of “Kabbalah” have apparently become dangerous.

On Lag B’Omer in 2021, a terrible tragedy occurred in Mount Meron in Israel. Some 45 people were killed after a stampede broke out as massive crowds gathered at the Mount Meron Kabbalistic bonfire-lighting ceremony for the “holiday” of Lag B’Omer.

I refer to the bonfire-lighting ceremony as Kabbalistic because I do not believe there is any reference to it in the Talmud or the standard halachic codes. The Talmud in Yevamot 62b only refers to the students of Rabbi Akiva dying during a period between Pesach and Shavuot. The Lag B’Omer celebrations in Meron allegedly are connected to the yahrtzeit of the Talmudic Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Baruch Dayan Emet. This was a huge tragedy and of course we must mourn the dead and assist the survivors. However, perhaps it is also time to speak the truth about the negative consequences of unrestrained “Kabbalah”.

One can’t help but wonder-

How can halacha allow us to celebrate the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai?
Where did Chazal even say that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai passed away on Lag B’Omer?
Where did Chazal tell us to light fires and spread air pollution all over on Lag B’Omer?

In a Tosephta, the ancient rabbis ruled that dancing around a bonfire is “darchei Amorai” (the ways of the pagan Amorites).

אלו דברים מדרכי האמורי המספר קומי והעושה בלורית [והמגבה] לגרגרן והמגררת בנה [בין] המתים והקושר [מטולטלת על יריכו וחוט אדום על אצבעו והמונה ומשליך צרורות לים או לנהר הרי זה מדרכי] האמורי המספק והמטפח והמרקד לשלהבת ה”ז מדרכי האמורי.
(Tosephta, Shabbat 7:1)

The so-called Kabbalah being popularized to the masses all over the Internet nowadays cannot be the authentic “nistar” (Torah secrets) that the Talmudic rabbis knew, because the Talmudic rabbis prohibited teaching the “nistar” publicly. Authentic Judaism opposes teaching “mysticism” publicly because this inevitably leads to idolatry.

אֵין דּוֹרְשִׁין בָּעֲרָיוֹת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה וְלֹא בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית בִּשְׁנַיִם וְלֹא בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה בְּיָחִיד אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הָיָה חָכָם וּמֵבִין מִדַּעְתּוֹ
כׇּל הַמִּסְתַּכֵּל בְּאַרְבָּעָה דְּבָרִים רָתוּי לוֹ כְּאִילּוּ לֹא בָּא לָעוֹלָם מָה לְמַעְלָה מָה לְמַטָּה מָה לְפָנִים וּמָה לְאָחוֹר וְכׇל שֶׁלֹּא חָס עַל כְּבוֹד קוֹנוֹ רָתוּי לוֹ שֶׁלֹּא בָּא לָעוֹלָם:
(Talmud, Chagigah 11b)

Are we supposed to believe that the Kabbalists now have Torah secrets that the Rambam over 800 years ago claimed were lost?

If these Torah secrets really existed at the time of the Rambam, how is it possible that the Rambam would not have known they existed (regardless if he accepted them or not)?

“They have clearly stated that the Divine Chariot includes matters too deep and too profound for the ordinary intellect. It has been shown that a person favoured by Providence with reason to understand these mysteries is forbidden by the Law to teach them except viva voce, and on condition that the pupil possess certain qualifications, and even then only the heads of the sections may be communicated. This has been the cause why the knowledge of this mystery has entirely disappeared from our nation, and nothing has remained of it. “
(Rambam, Guide for the Perplexed, Part 3 Introduction)

The Mount Meron disaster only raises more questions about the legitimacy of certain “Kabbalistic” practices.