"They say Kaduri learned from the great kabbalists of previous generations the practice of writing amulets which heal, enhance fertility and bring success."
I think Moses would take a dim view of all this.
I think Moses would take a dim view of all this.
Spot on. I once asked a Karaite (Jewish Karaites are Biblical only, they reject the Talmud and Kabbalah) his opinion of Kabbalah. He didn't mince words.
He said it was a form of Jewish witchcraft and magic...which the Jews assimulated into Judaism from the Pagans. He then quoted the words of Moses in Deut. 18:9-12.
9 ... thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. [the Pagans]
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD...
By dabbling in pagan sorcery, the Jews committed spiritual adultery, outwardly Jews, but by blending in pagan sorcery they had become religious whores. The prophets repeatedly charged them with religious whoredom. Isaiah said to them:
Isaiah 57:3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.