kabbalah

American  

[kab-uh-luh, kuh-bah-] / ˈkæb ə lə, kəˈbɑ- /

Also cabbala, or cabala

noun

1. a system of esoteric theosophy and theurgy developed by rabbis, reaching its peak about the 12th and 13th centuries, and influencing certain medieval and Renaissance Christian thinkers. It was based on a mystical method of interpreting Scripture by which initiates claimed to penetrate sacred mysteries. Among its central doctrines are: all creation is an emanation from the Deity and the soul exists from eternity.

2. any occult or secret doctrine or science.

---

kabbalah British  

/ ˈkæbəˌlɪzəm, kəˈbɑːlə /

noun

1. an ancient Jewish mystical tradition based on an esoteric interpretation of the Old Testament

2. any secret or occult doctrine or science

---

Other Word Forms

• kabbalism
  noun
• kabbalist
  noun
• kabbalistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of kabbalah

First recorded in 1515–25; from Medieval Latin cabbala, from Hebrew qabbālāh “tradition,” literally, “something received,” i.e., “handed down”; see also cabal ( def. )

Example Sentences

Walking to synagogue in Safed, a hill town above the Sea of Galilee known for centuries as a center of kabbalah, or ancient Jewish mysticism, he said he still didn’t feel great about the gun.

From New York Times • May 23, 2024

This year, I had many requests from clients in Israel, as my book highlights cross-sections of the tarot and kabbalah.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2021

“She loved the kabbalah learning, which is all about improving yourself.”

From New York Times • Aug. 13, 2013

Earlier in Jewish history, some rabbis taught that nobody under the age of 40 should study kabbalah, a collection of mystical texts.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2012

The kabbalah was much more than number crunching; it was a tradition so mystical that some scholars say that it bears a striking resemblance to Hinduism.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife