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.

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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

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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”; cabal ( def. )

Example Sentences

The practice is so mainstream that millions of Argentines likely practice some sort of cábala, a word that derives from kabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition.

From New York Times • Dec. 17, 2022

These range from the kabbalah to perhaps his favored poet, Paul Celan.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2022

And so we have handbooks on “how to connect with your animal spirit guide” alongside manuals for using kabbalah to “make your dreams come true” and I Ching for “business strategizing.”

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2021

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

For instance, the kabbalah seized upon the idea of the dual nature of God.

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