Qabalah

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A spiritual lineage rooted in Jewish mysticism that involves interpreting sacred texts to explore the nature of God and the universe through symbolic frameworks
2. An esoteric practice within Judaism that analyzes religious writings to reveal deeper meanings about existence, divinity, and the cosmos
3. A mystical tradition in Jewish culture that seeks to uncover profound truths about divine reality and existence through the analysis of ancient texts and symbols

Etymology: The Hebrew word "kabalá" literally means "something received," and that single meaning carries the whole idea. Jewish mystical teaching was understood as a tradition handed down in small, select circles rather than as public doctrine, so the name describes a body of knowledge passed from teacher to student. The Hebrew root "qbl" underlies words for receiving and accepting, which is why the sense of transmission sits at the heart of the term. English gets a surprising twist from the word's doublet, "cabal." Both descend from the same Hebrew source, but "cabal" took a darker road. Because the mystical tradition was secret and its circles were exclusive, the idea of a closed, hidden group eventually produced the English sense of a small conspiratorial faction, and "cabal" came to mean a plot or intrigue. The mystical term kept its religious associations, while its sibling drifted into politics and scheming.

Synonyms: kabbalah