Posted on 07/13/2003 1:53:34 PM PDT by DoorGunner
THE PRACTICE: Introduction To Kabbalistic Procedure
There are a number of recurring ritual procedures which either preface practical Kabbalistic activities, or are involved in them directly.
All practical Kabbalistic procedures were to be approached with extreme caution, as an error in the invocation of the Divine could harm or kill the Ba'al Shem or those around him. As a result, thorough preparation was essential, sometimes lasting up to three days, and typically involving fasting, ritual cleansings, abstaining from certain activities or foods (if fasting was not required), meditation, and the recitation of specific prayers or Psalms.
Timing was a factor, especially for those who were versed in astrology; one could determine the days and hours when the spirits of evil would be at their weakest, for example. Performing actions at the end of the Sabbath and just before dawn were also favored times, as these were believed to be when demons were at their weakest. Demons preferred dark, spiritually and literally unclean places, so confronting them with light and holiness was of course preferable.
Any incantations or written amulets had to invoke God, often by means of one or more of His Names. Angels might also be invoked. Biblical passages relevant to the situation were quoted. Finally, the specific command or request would be made, concluding with the name of the patient, identifying them as the son or daughter of their mother (in legal and everyday matters, however, people were identified in their father¹s name). Often the incantation was repeated or elements were required in multiples, typically in threes, sevens, or nines; or in reverse, as a means of dispelling evil.
The Ba'al Shem might spit before and or after the procedure, particularly after fasting, since the spit of a fasting man was considered a potent weapon against evil spirits and demons. He might also protect himself or a patient with one or more circles. New or "virgin" objects were often required for a procedure: never-tilled soil, fresh water from a spring or river, new utensils and containers, and so on.
Finally, the patient's or victim's dwelling, things, or place of business could be examined for signs of evil magic or reasons demons might be present: knots in fringed clothing or other cords might be evidence of a "binding spell"; ritually unclean food, a damaged mezuzah, or a holy book in which God¹s name had been effaced could indicate either evil at work, or create an unclean environment a demon was allowed to enter.
For procedures specific to amulet-making, please refer to the section on Amulets.
For information specific to warding off or protecting oneself from demons, please refer to the section on Demons.
DG
Perhaps you could give me an internet location which ONLY has information on your legitimate Kabbalah. Then, I could learn the truth.
DG
You lie! I was there when you performed that experiment, and it gave everyone at the table a clear message.
The message was that we were dining with a slob. Root beer?
Judaic Kabbalah and other Spiritual Paths
Although Kabbalah, as the esoteric aspect of Judaism, has been compared to Sufism as the esoteric aspect of Islam, in its complex theological and cosmological speculation it is actually much more similiar to the theosophy of Suhrawardi.
There is also a certain corespondence between Indian Tantra and Kabbalah. We find again complex metaphysical speculation, the use of visualisation and mantras, and the attuning to higher states of consciousness.
It does seem to me (and I may be quite wrong here!) that, as a continuing esoteric tradition, Kabbalah has had a rather spasmodic record. There seems to be no continous, living Kabbalistic tradition as such, in which Spiritual realisation was handed down from Master to Disciple, as there appears to be in, for example Sufism, Zen, and Advaita Vedanta. Rather we find a number of individual figures, often of tremendous spiritual and occult insight, who arise and gather around them a small circle of disciples and followers (e.g. the great Kabbalistic schools at Gerona and Safed). After their passing, the school quickly degenerates (although of course applies to any spiritual movement).
At present traditional Kabbalah is achieving quite a revival, (as opposed to Hermetic Kabbalah which bloomed at the end of the last century with the Golden Dawn movement and has been strong ever since). Even pop stars from other religious backgrounds, like Madonna, are getting into it. Perhaps with the present global dissemination of information a new living tradition of Kabbalah will emerge.
http://www.kheper.net/topics/Kabbalah/comparison.html
Look what Kabbalah is compared to! [sic]
DG
I gave these websites a cursory examination, and found:
The true "practice" of Kabbalah
involves techniques aimed specifically at
altering natural states or
events--techniques such as the ritual
incantation of Divine Names or the
inscription of such names (or those of the
angels) upon specially prepared amulets.
Though often termed an "occult"
tradition, Kabbalah ma'asit is meant to
be employed by only the most saintly and
responsible of individuals and for no
other purpose than the benefit of man or
Creation.
Perhaps the most renowned
case of Kabbalistic practice-the
fashioning of a golem (humanoid) in 16th
century Prague-involved none other than
the great scholar and saint, Rabbi Judah
Loew, a leading interpreter of the
contemplative tradition.
http://www.inner.org/overview/overvie3.htm
A kabbalist is not a magician, and the powers of the Kabbalah cannot merely be studied
and then used. But a holy person well versed in Kabbalah can manipulate many of the
laws of physics. They usually chose not to because they understand that
G-d made the laws of nature for a reason and usually does not want them to be
abrogated. They don't, however, use a wand, unless you count the staffs of Moses and
Aaron. Actually one of the more powerful weapons used that is mentioned in the Talmud
is something we all have. Eyes. A special "look" from a sage could have a deadly impact.
[The "evil eye"??]
Words are very powerful as well, so certain formulas of words can have healing effects, or
can ward off danger. They are used differently than a magical incantation, but there is a
striking similarity.
In Harry Potter there are ghosts, and other spirits that inhabit the magic school,
Hogwarts. We have many recorded experiences of kabbalists communicating with
similar beings.
[Necromancy???]
Spirits of those passed away can come back and have contact with us,
and demons can inhabit unusual places. But, unlike Hogwarts, there is rarely a form or
shape that one can see.
It is especially interesting to note that the one thing none of the magicians are able to do
in Harry Potter is bring the dead back to life, yet this was known to be a talent that many
kabbalists had during the Talmudic era. We even see specific accounts of this with Elijah
the prophet, and his student Elisha. When a person is strongly connected with G-d, the
source of life, they can be a conduit to bring life back into a person who recently passed
away. This may have something to do with the tradition that the soul does not leave the
surroundings of the body until the burial.
Although those sites (other than the above) stayed away from the "magical" or "occult" parts of the Kabbalah, the fact that they do may only be due to embarrassment.
DG
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