Jewish mysticism (Judaism)

The Jewish scriptures contain much that is mystical, in both the Torah and historical books (particularly with reference to Moses and Elijah) and also in the apocalyptic writings. In practice, mysticism has been esoteric and concerned, first through cosmology and cosmogony and later through the [Kabbalah]

, with the power of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the ten [sephiroth]

(originally numbers and subsequently related to the emanations which structure reality). The first sephirah is an emanation of God, at least three derive from the first, the others are the dimensions of space, and they constitute a unity together; while the sounds of the letters of the alphabet are the foundation of all that is created. The 22 and the ten relate to 32 secret paths of wisdom by means of which God created the world. These are set forth in the [Sepher Yetzirah]

, the "Book of Creation" which derives from the first chapter of Genesis. Another mystic approach is through the experience of [shekinah]

, a vision of divine majesty [kavod]

experienced by the ecstatic soul which has "descended the chariot". This is the experience of Ezekiel, and probably that of Elijah, but not to be attempted without the realization that the result could be death or madness. Even Moses did not see God face to face. The ritual practice of ascent and resultant vision are described in a number of cryptic or magical texts referring to different levels of the heavenly realms, and the fiery chariots, flames, angels and heavenly choruses found there.