The Encyclopedia Of Demons And Demonology

K
Kabbalah (Cabala, Kabala, Qabalah) The mysticism
of classical Judaism, and part of the foundation of the
Western magical tradition.
Kabbalah is derived from the Hebrew word QBL (Qibel),
meaning “to receive” or “that which is received.” It
refers especially to a secret oral tradition handed down
from teacher to pupil. The term Kabbalah was first used
in the 11th century by Ibn Gabirol, a Spanish philosopher,
and has since become applied to all Jewish mystical
practice. The Kabbalah is founded on the Torah, but it is
not an intellectual or ascetic discipline. It is a means for
achieving union with God while maintaining an active
life in the mundane world.
Branches of the Kabbalah
There are four main, overlapping branches of the
Kabbalah:
1. The Classical, or Dogmatic, Kabbalah concerns
the study of the Torah and the central texts of the
Kabbalah, such as the Sefer Yetzirah and the Sefer
Zohar (see later discussion).
2. The Practical Kabbalah concerns MAGIC, such as the
proper ways to make TALISMANs and AMULETs, and
lore about ANGELs and DEMONs.
3. The Literal Kabbalah concerns the relationship
between the letters of the Hebrew alphabet and
numbers. It features the deciphering of relationships
and correspondences through gematria, a
system for determining the numerical values of
words and names; the finding of acronyms through
notarikon, in which the first letters of words are
used to make new words; and an encryption system
called temurah, in which letters are transposed
into code. Temurah plays a role in interpreting the
Torah and in making talismans.
4. The Unwritten Kabbalah concerns the study of the
Tree of Life (discussed later).
Of the four branches, the Practical Kabbalah, Literal
Kabbalah, and Unwritten Kabbalah are the most important
to the Western mystery tradition. Joined with Hermetic
principles and philosophy, these parts of the Kabbalah
create a philosophical, mystical, and magical system for
the practice of ceremonial magic. This system, sometimes
called the “Western Kabbalah” or “Western Qabalah,” also
plays a role in practical magic for the casting of spells.
History of the Kabbalah
According to lore, God taught what became the Kabbalah
to ANGELS. After the Fall, angels taught the knowledge
to Adam in order to provide humans a way back to
God. The knowledge was passed to Noah, then to Abraham
and Moses, who in turn initiated 70 elders. Kings
David and SOLOMON were initiates. Influenced by Gnosticism
and Neoplatonism, the oral tradition was passed
on into the tradition and literature of the Merkabah
mystics (ca. 100 B.C.E.–1000 C.E.).
Merkabah means “God’s Throne-Chariot” and refers to
the chariot of Ezekiel’s vision. The goal of the Merkabah
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