Kabbalah is mysticism based in the Jewish religion. It’s a collection of writings and teachings by various authors at various times with differing approaches.

In our own time, there are several approaches which provide ways of understanding life, Jewish text, and spiritual practices that have real results in our lives.

A brief history of Kabbalah

Jewish mysticism had started by the time of the Biblical prophets, and was expounded in the following centuries, though it wasn’t until the 8th or 9th century that we find written articulations of Kabbalah. Two of the most important books are the Zohar (13th century) and the Tanya (18th century), both of which are still extremely influential.

The most widespread teachings used today are those of Isaac Luria (1550s) and the Baal Shem Tov (1700s). In recent times, parts of both the Chassidic movement and the Jewish Renewal Movement are reviving Jewish mystical learning and practice.