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From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Sent: Thursday, June 12, 1997 12:23 AM To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup Subject: Members Comments: Kabbalah To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com From: pottersclay@mail.icnet.net (Randy Felton) Subject: Re: Kabbalah Hi Eddie, Ok, so here is my two cents worth. The common advice given by rabbis is that a man is not to begin to study Kabbalah until he reaches the age of 40. One is not considered mature enough until then, and this assumes the person in question has been in Torah study all along. In other words, the study of Kabbalah is not for a novice. Kabbalah is not Holy Writ...it is not scripture. Having said that, there may be some insight and nuggets to glean from the Kabbalah but you cannot assign to it the same weight as scripture. Just as there is some basis of truth in some of the old rabbinic legends, you have to be careful and discerning. Often people want to read the book of Revelation and study it without a foundation in scripture and Jewish culture/background. It can really get confusing. Establish yourself in the Bible before you even think of looking to other literature. Shalom,Randy Felton **************************************************************************** From: Jerry Healan <eaoy@slinknet.com> To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Re: Kabbalah Eddie, "Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" has this to say about the Kabbalah, "CABALA, The mystical philosophy or theosophy of the Jews is called the Cabala. The word is derived from the Hebrew, Kabal, signifying to receive, because it is the doctrine received from the elders. It has sometimes been used in an enlarged snese, as comprehending all the explanations, maxims, and ceremonies which have been traditionally handed down to the Jews; but in that more limited acceptation, in which it is intimately connected with the symbolic science of Freemasonry, the Cabala may be defined to be a system of philosophy which embraces certain mystical interpretations of Scripture, and metaphysical and spiritual beings....Buxtorf (Lexicon of Talmud) defines the Cabala to be a secret science, which treats in a mystical and enigmatical manner of things divine, angelical, theological, celestial, and metaphysical; the subjects being enveloped in striking symbols and secret modes of teaching. Much use is made of it in the advanced degrees, and entire Rites have been constructed on its principles. Hence it demands a place in any general work on Freemasonry. In what estimation the Cabala is held by Jewish scholars, we may learn from the traditions which they teach, which Doctor Ginsburg has given in his exhaustive work (Kabbalah, page 84) in the following words: The Cabalah was first taught by G-d himself to a select company of angels, who formed a theosophic school in Paradise. After the fall, the angels most graciously communicated this heavenly doctrine to the disobedient child of earth, to furnish the protoplasts with the means of returning to their pristine nobility and felicity." (p. 166) Under the heading of "ASSASSINS" the following is also written, "The Ishaelites, or Assassins, constituted a sect or confraternity, which was founded by Hassan Sabah, about the year 1090, in Persia. The name is derived, it is suposed, from their immoderate use of the plant haschish, or henbane, which produced a delirious frenzy. The title given to the chief of the Order was 'Scheik-el-Jebel', which has been translated 'The Old Man of the Mountain', but which Higgins has shown in his 'Anacalypsis (i, 700) to mean literally 'The Sabe of the Cabala or Traditions.'" (p. 108) The "Monitor of the Lodge" of Freemasonry has this to say, "Such (Masonic) ceremonies and their correlated teachings have sometimes been referred to as the 'Mysteries of Masonry', with the same signification employed when one speaks of the 'Mysteries of the Magi', the 'Mysteries of Osiris,' the Grecian Mysteries of Eleusis', and other kindred rites, practiced in the temples of initiation throughout the ancient world...The presence in the modern Masonic system, of many of the emblems, symbols and allegories of the ancient Temples of Initiation, as well as certain rites perfromed therein, has persuaded the most learned among Masonic scholars to conclude that Masonry is of very ancient origin, and is, in some aspects, the modern successor of, and heir to, the sublime Mysteries of the Temple of Solomon, and of the Temples of India, Chaldea, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as the basic doctrine of the Essenes, Gnostics and other mystic Orders." (pp. xiii-xiv) Thus Masonry admits that it is a compilation of various and sundry mystery religions of the ancient world. Here is what Jeremiah wrote concerning this, "Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other g-ds whom ye know not; and come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'? IS THIS HOUSE, WHICH IS CALLED BY MY NAME, BECOME A DEN OF ROBBERS in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith YHWH," 7:9-11. An interesting thing concerning the word "ROBBERS" is that it is the Hebrew word "periytes" from which we get the English word "pirates." Pirates rallied under the symbol of the skull and crossbones which is an important symbol of the higher degrees of Freemasonry. The Savior repeated a portion of this verse in Mt. 21:13. Those who had power over YHWH's house at that time had made it into a den of thieves (pirates). Is it any wonder that He was crucified at the place of the SKULL? This was a symbolic statement against piracy. His stake was driven into the skull along with two others (three is a type of completion) revealing that even in the weakness of death, He had abolished death and piracy. Isaiah warned, "Woe unto them that draw iniquity with CORDS of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope," (5:18). The Hebrew word used here for cords is "chebel", #2256 in "Strong's Exhaustive Concordance". It comes from the primitive root word #2254 "chabal" or "cabal." "Chabal" means; to bind: spec. by a pledge; fig. to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (espec. of parturition). "Chebel" means; a rope (as twisted), espec. a measuring line; by impl. a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); fig. a company ( as if tied together; also a throe (espec. of parturition); also ruin. Masons must take oaths (pledges) of secrecy. To be initiated, they must wear a blindfold called a "hoodwink". Ropes (cabals) are a very important part of their ceremonies as in their initiation they are not only blindfolded, but are also tied up with ropes. Therefore, they are binding, pledging themselves with cords of iniquity. Jerry *********************************************************************** From: MDBartlett@aol.com To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Re: Kabbalah Eddie: An elderly Jewish woman gave me a keychain with the kabbalistic "hand of G-d" on it. Is that something I should keep, or throw away? I notice it's not sold in my Messianic catalog, so that's some kind of a clue. Thanks. Michele Bartlett *********************************************************************** From: "David Lyon" <dlyon@photon.hotwire.net.au> To: <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com> Subject: Re: Kabbalah Dear Eddie, It's interesting that this subject has come up because just yesterday I received some sort of beginners guide to Kabbalah. I agreed to read it (so that I could determine what it's about) provided that my Jewish friend read a copy of the Jewish New Testament in exchange. It seems to me, from talking to my friend, that there are definitely some whacky things in there. Re-Incarnation is definitely a hot topic. There's also a few things worse than that. If anybody is looking at it, the only question I would look at is your motives. If it's to learn about Yeshua and develop your love, then it's the wrong place to look. If you have to talk to people about the subject and know what your talking about, then maybe there isn't an alternative to examine the theories and compare them directly to what it says in the bible, using the bible as a point of reference. That's my two cents worth anyhow Shalom David ************************************************************************* From: "T.Goriss & L. Fabry" <njm@fan.net.au> Reply-to: njm@fan.net.au To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Re: Kabbalah The word 'Kabbalah' simply means 'received'. For example, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:23: "For I RECEIVED from the Lord..." Kabbalah is a 'revelation'. It is a style of communicating and a way of understanding. It is mysticism, but not necessarily in a negative sense. It is mystical because it has "hidden" meanings. The book of Revelation is written in a totally Kabbalistic style and so is John's Gospel. For example, Kabbalistic writers say "The Torah existed before creation. It is the blueprint of creation. God looked into the Torah and created all things." (from "The Bahir" - a Kabbalistic book). How similar to the beginning of John's Gospel! "In the beginning was the Word... through him all things were made." I have been studying kabbalah at University as part of my degree. I am astounded at the exact concepts as are found in the New Testament. Sometimes the very words are the same. The Rabbis say that there is 'good' Kabbalah and 'bad' Kabbalah. The good is simply that which is based on Scripture. A hidden meaning in the text (like the Hebrew Codes) and the numerical values of every jot and tittle in the Word of God. That's why Yeshua said "not one jot or tittle will pass away from the Torah", because it all contains meaning. Unfortunately, many people run after 'spiritual' or 'mystical' experiences which are not founded in the Word. The 'spirit' they experience is not the Ruach HaKodesh. Both Jews and Christians fall into the 'spiritual experience' trap. There are occultic forms of Kabbalah, but not all Kabbalah is occultic. There are occultic experiences in Charismatic circles as well, I assure you. If you wish to study the Kabbalistic aspects of Scripture, find yourself a good teacher, learned and practicing Torah. Do not seek after spiritual experiences. True Kabbalah is that which is hidden in God's Word, not something outside of those boundaries. Luana Fabry ***********************************************************************
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