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Kabbalah simply means "to receive", but many
generally think of
Kabbalah as a form of religion, or as Eastern mysticism.
Having a basic understanding
of Kabbalah can be quite helpful if you come up against
ideas of those who use Kabbalah to shape their ideas about
spirituality.
Kabbalah is not a single system where all involved utilize
the same basic principles, those who promote Kabbalist
ideologies can be extremely duplicitous and deceptive.
So hence some of the caution against studying
Kabbalah. On the other hand, those who insist all
Kabbalah is bad are generally ignorant and/or threatened by
something they have little or no knowledge of. Anyone who communicates anything "spiritual"
or
who believes they have "received" insight from
"the Spirit"
are essentially teaching their own form of "Kabbalah".
There are mainstream ideas within "Kabbalah" that everyone should
know about and be able to discuss, whether they agree or
disagree with its interpretations. For example, take a
brief survey of the list of words below, how do you define them?
Where
did you learn about their definitions?
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Abba Adam Kadmon Akedah Anthropomorphism Antinomianism Apocalyptic Atonement
Ba'al Circumcision Da'at
End of Days Exorcism Gehinnom Gematria Gevurah
Grace after meals Halacha Hod Holy Spirit Kedushah Kavod Messiah Metatron
Nefesh Olam haba Pardes Passover Prayer Prophetic Redemption Remez
Resurrection Sabbath Sacrifice Sefirot Sexuality Sinai Temple
Throne Tiferet Toledot Adam Torah Tikkun Olam
Tree of Knowledge Tree of Life Trinity
Virgin Mary World Zodiac |
Each of the
above words represents a meaning that each of us has a "relationship" with.
There are
infinite "connections" within these words, each
one has many levels of meaning and understanding.
Let's look at a set of names in Torah called the Toledot Adam (the line, or genealogy
of Adam). The "given" names of
Adams descendants to Noah are straightforward, these are "normal" Biblical names until we look a bit deeper.
What is going on? Can you see a hidden meaning beneath these
common individual names? You decide. In my mind what
the meaning derived from the sequential meaning is no
coincidence. There is universe of thought underlying
these names, a
hidden code to be "received". It speaks of Mashiyach.
Toledot Adam Bereshit 5
(Geneology of Adam from
Genesis 5)
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HEBREW NAME |
ENGLISH
DEFINITION |
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ADAM |
MAN |
|
SETH |
APPOINTED |
|
ENOSH |
MORTAL |
|
CAINAN |
SORROW |
|
MAHALEEL |
BLESSED
ELOHIM |
|
YARED |
SHALL COME
DOWN |
|
ENOCH |
TEACHING |
|
METHUSELAH |
HIS DEATH
SHALL BRING |
|
LAMECH |
DESPAIRING |
|
NOACH |
COMFORT |
MAN [is] APPOINTED MORTAL SORROW,
[but a] BLESSED
ELOHIM SHALL COME DOWN
TEACHING [that] HIS DEATH SHALL
BRING
[the] DESPAIRING COMFORT
MAGNIFICENT! YHWH
ordained the Hebrew Names in the Toledot Adam to tell the story
of Yeshua coming to earth to bring Comfort! Even SALVATION
to His people! However, trying to
understand Kabbalah or trying to connect with YHWH and His
Mashiyach without Torah is to venture off into
darkness and eventually the soul will be tormented.
True kabbalah is meant to establish
the Word of YHWH in our neshama (spirit),
and
to strengthen and
confirm our relationship with Master YHWH.
There are many levels to receiving
YHWH's wisdom, knowledge and
understanding. The Adversary (HaSatan) twists that which is good and distorts
it for evil purposes.
However, if we focus on the Kabbalah that is revealed inside
of Tanakh and the Ketuvim Netzarim, we discover magnificent revelation
about YHWH, His Mashiyach, and the
Life He has given each of us.
Within
the Mishkan
(Tabernacle), we also discover the image of Mashiyach
revealed. Consider the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy
Seat in the Holy of Holies as the Head, and the Holy Place as
the chest. In your mind
stand the Mishkan on end with the Holy of Holies at the
top. Picture the Table of Shewbread to the right side
of the body, the Menorah to the left side, the alter of
incense in the center right below the head, and the laver
below that, and the alter below that and the door of
entrance below that. YHWH revealed Mashiyach
according to the how the Mishkan was arranged. As we
study Torah and Mashiyach we can look inside our own souls
and discover who we are in Him. We receive from the
Spirit of YHWH something that is greater than the peshat
(simple) sum of the parts. We can see how there
can only be One
Elohim whose Name is YHWH, Who knows about us and who communicates to
us on a wonderful spiritual level. There are many imposter
"spirits" which is why were are taught:
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"And he that keeps
His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him.
And hereby we know
that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.
Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
Elohim:
because many false
prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 3:24-4:1 |
Here's the acid test. When we "keep His Commandments
we "receive" His Spirit. When we don't keep His
Commandments then we open our souls up to lying and
deceiving spirits, it's just that simple.
In the days of Yeshua, the writings of the prophets of YHWH
were known as "The Kabbalah". Today it is common for
Christians or "Believers" to talk about "hearing from the
The Spirit of YHWH (or the LORD). This is the hope and
desire of everyone who puts their trust in Mashiyach.
We desire that YHWH would communicate and reveal His will to
us, help us conform our lives
to Him. We are each unique souls created in
the "image of Elohim" and we must have this confidence
that we are
worshipping YHWH in Spirit and Truth according to His Word. Each of us has
received "Kabbalah"
in our souls, this is our spiritual experience with YHWH and
His Mashiyach.
On a very personal and private level Kabbalah is all
about intimacy with YHWH and seeking to do His will, but, for
some it is about learning how to manipulate spiritual and material worlds to attain wealth or power,
which is also known as witchcraft.
Rav Shaul
(Apostle Paul) was one of the most vocal "Kabbalistic"
Apostles. In Ephesians 6
Paul teaches us to put on the whole armor of Elohim, while
juxtaposing the tactics of the Enemy. He applies these
"Kabbalistic" elements from Tanakh to help the Body of
Mashiyach overcome the whiles of the enemy. Paul draws
out deeply embedded elements of Mashiyach (see Spiritual
Armor p. 957 AENT 3rd Ed) from Scripture according to things
he "received" from the Spirit of YHWH. However, Paul's
letters are also the most twisted part of the New Testament,
Peter writes, "As also in all his (Paul's) letters,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to understand, which they that are unlearned and
unstable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, to
their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16
Reason being, our carnal human nature tries to
intellectualize the spiritual worlds rather than seeing
YHWH's Commandments as "applied Kabbalah", as the work of
the Ruach haKodesh writing Torah (part of the image of
Elohim) upon our hearts.
Our homes are places of shelter, love, provision etc, we nurture
a shalom biyet (house of wholeness) where the Spirit of YHWH
is made welcome, and where we establish a gate of
righteousness. Scripture tells us that every
word from our mouths has natural and spiritual
consequences. So imagine if each of us elevated our
homes as a holy sanctuary, where no unkind or angry or
malicious words felt comfortable. What if we could
program the "jurisdiction" of our homes and everything
within the borders of our gates according to Mashiyach?
This is Torah. Torah is replete with jurisdictional
elements of spirituality, but the reason many of us cannot
"enter in" is because we follow a religion that interprets
Torah according to certain traditions whether they be Jewish
or Christian, rather than "receiving" Torah from Mashiyach.
Imagine
your home as a sanctuary of
peace and
harmony. Joy and Peace is the predominate attribute.
All anti-Messiah elements like religious discrimination,
carnal sensuality, perversion, vain talking, lust, etc are
awkward, unwelcome and do not belong.
The
dinner table is an alter where we pray, fellowship and eat
together with those we love. While we are having
dinner together we are reminded of YHWH's goodness
throughout the day, His bountiful provisions, having our family,
our friends, and many good things He gives us
to enjoy each day, all provided to us by His outstretched Hand.
We are also reminded of those who don't know our Father and
His love and His provisions as we've been blessed. Our
thoughts and prayers and plans to help others often come
together around the table where we eat together.
The table where we eat is a place of giving thank offerings,
peace offerings and praise offerings for what YHWH has done
for us in His Mashiyach. We remember the cup of wine
and the bread and the words of Mashiyach Y'shua who said...
"I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the
kingdom of Elohim shall come." (Luke 22:18) When we do
the brachot (blessings) we remember that the King of the
Universe reigns over our souls our families, our homes and
over the borders of our gates. This is why we sanctify
our homes unto YHWH and we separate ourselves to YHWH and
protect ourselves and our family from unclean spirits and
carnal worldly things.
The marriage bed is holy
and set apart unto YHWH. What if all "Believers" were
able to"receive" a the Way of
maintaining Joy, Peace and Justice in their marriages? What impact would
it have if every married couple and
every child knew that going home meant they would have a
place of safety, respect, honor and be loved and cherished?
Much of the unity of the home is derived from the honor of
the marriage bed and the love and unity between a husband
and wife.
The problem is many
Believers don't even think it's possible to "receive"
deeper levels of beauty and harmony into their lives and
homes. Understanding functional "kabbalah" helps us
to "raise the
bar", we can open our minds to "holy thoughts" and translate
that into holy actions. Clearly evil forces have put fear into
people's minds about "kabbalah"... but Mashiyach said...
"The truth will set you
free..."
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And the
spirit of
YHWH shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of
knowledge and of the fear of YHWH; And shall make him of quick
understanding in the fear of YHWH:
and he shall not judge after the sight
of his eyes, neither reprove after the
hearing of his ears: But with
righteousness shall he judge the poor,
and reprove with equity for the meek of
the earth: and he shall smite the earth
with the rod of his mouth, and with the
breath of his lips shall he slay the
wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his
loins, and faithfulness the girdle of
his reins.
Isaiah 11:2-5 |
HaMashiyach Y'shua demonstrated:
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1) Spirit of YHWH
2) Wisdom
3) Understanding
4) Counsel
5) Might
6) Knowledge
7) Fear of YHWH |
"And there
shall come forth a rod out of the stem
of Jesse,
and a Netzer (Sprout) shall grow out of
his roots:"
Isaiah 11:1
Y'shua Mashiyach is the
Netzer
(Sprout) which grew out of the Root of Ye'shai (Jesse), these
Seven
Attributes signify the Character and Calling of
HaMashiyach. Each of these "attributes"
are very unique. These are the "SEVEN Spirits of YHWH"
Revelations 5:6. The Scriptures reveal that the FEAR of YHWH
is the beginning of WISDOM. This is "kabbalah", it is the Seventh
attribute, mentioned many times throughout Scripture.
Five times Scripture tells us that the FEAR of YHWH brings Wisdom.
In
an additional two more verses FEAR and WISDOM are mentioned in the same
verse, bringing a total of SEVEN references in Scripture that connects
the Fear of YHWH with Wisdom. But false religion for example outright rejects the
"FEAR" of YHWH. Religions teach a theology that the FEAR of YHWH is not really
FEAR, but REVERENCE, or LOVE, but the word fear is YIRAH, which is "fear".
Albeit a very unique and special "fear" that is given expressly unto
YHWH, and mentioned 45 times in Scripture.
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"And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the YIRAH
(fear) of Elohim is not in this place; and they will slay me for my
wife's sake."
B'resheet/Genesis 20:11
"And Moshe said unto the people, "YAREH (Fear) not:
for Elohim is come to prove you, and that His YIRAH (Fear) may be before
your faces, that ye sin not."
Shemot/Exodus 20:20
"Who knows the power of thine anger?
even according to
thy YIRAH (fear), so is your wrath!"
Psalm 90:11
"Then were the men Gadol Yirah Yareh (exceedingly
"fearful" afraid), and said unto him, Why have you done this? For the
men knew that he fled from the presence of YHWH, because he had told
them."
Jonah 1:10
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Notice the last
verse Gadol Yirah Yareh. The Fear of YHWH "YIRAH" is linked with "Yareh",
which means fear, afraid, terror etc. But what false authority has
done, is to use theology to make an image of it's own god, and in fact
their "fear" is taught by the theology of men.
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"Wherefore Adonai (the Master) said, Forasmuch as this
people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed
their heart far from me, and their YIRAH (fear) toward me is taught by the
precept of men:"
Isaiah 29:13
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False theology depicts
their gods as being a nice god of love, forgiving all willful and perpetual sins according
to a man made image of god. Certainly YHWH *is*
love, "Because Elohim is love; and whoever does
not love, does not know Elohim." (1
John 4:8) Those who teach that the
Fear of YHWH is not FEAR, but REVERENCE, find their religious roots in Marcion,
the guy who coined the words "Old and New Testament".
Many Christian Bible theologians, translated the
word Hebrew Yareh and Shachah into the word
REVERENCE. This is
how hirelings and false authorities keep the money rolling into their
churches and synagogues, they preach acceptance, relativity and
tolerance of sin and evil, rather than intimacy with Father YHWH.
Fear of YHWH is a spiritual connection between
us and our Father. When we are in the valley of decision, whether
we will sanctify His Name, keep Torah, suffer for Mashiyach's name, lose
our jobs, get kicked out of a church or synagogue by standing for truth
etc, it's at these times that our "FEAR" of YHWH overrules the fear of
man. What false leaders want us to do is fear them, be afraid of
being rebuked or chastened or finding ourselves on the bad side of the
rabbi, priest or pastor. So what they have done is diminish our
responsibility to YHWH and His Mashiyach, but advocating that we NOT
Fear YHWH, but rather fear them. This is very obvious when
"believers" have difficult decisions to make and rather than seek YHWH
they run to a rabbi, pastor or priest for their answer and consolation.
No, again it's how you can "receive" your
understanding of FEAR, whether it be taught to you by theology or by
"receiving" this within your own spirit according to the Word of YHWH
being written upon your heart.
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"You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence (yareh) my
sanctuary: I am YHWH." Shemot/Exodus 19:30
"And all the king's servants, that were in the
king's gate, bowed, and (shachah) reverenced Haman: for the king had so
commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him
reverence."
Esther 3:2
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"Shachah" is most
commonly translated as worship, bow down, make obeisance etc. The
false church system has completely and utterly removed the original
and true FEAR of YHWH right out of their churches,
in so doing they've opened the door to all manner of counterfeit
teachings.
The FEAR of YHWH is an extremely important revelation
for the Body of Mashiyach. What is the FEAR of YHWH then?
YHWH is a SPIRIT, an intimate FEAR of YHWH is something we must receive
from YHWH, it is
not a theology but a LIVING SPIRIT which YHWH puts in His people to
help us from falling into carnal living and sinning against His
Word.
The FEAR of YHWH becomes a "spiritual instinct";
a quality of discernment that allows us to see the boundaries YHWH has
given us according to His Word. KADOSH (SET-APART) also depicts the boundaries or
set-apart Nature of YHWH and all that pertains to Him, including His
people. This is something to be "received" of the Ruach HaKodesh.
Personal living "KABBALAH" is vital, it has extensive ramifications when it comes to
our perception of
YHWH and Y'shua. Speaking of RAMifications, let's consider Avraham
and Yitzhak.
When Avraham was about to sacrifice his son Yitzhak, YHWH
spoke through him,
"Abraham said, My son, Elohim (G-d) will provide himself
a SEH (LAMB) for a burnt offering:"
Genesis 22:8
Five verses later we read,
"And Abraham
lifted up his eyes, and looked,
and behold behind him a 'AYIL (RAM)
caught in a thicket by his horns:"
Genesis 22:13.
The SEH
(Lamb) YHWH promised to Avraham is Yeshua the Word of
YHWH. Avraham "received" this from YHWH.
It was Mashiyach who spoke with Avraham, Yitzhak and Ya'akov, the
WORD OF YHWH who said He would
provide HIMSELF A LAMB. The WORD of YHWH is
Pure and Faithful. So mankind tortured and put to death the Perfect Lamb of Elohim,
who by His suffering took away our sin and empowers us to live free of sin.
Who killed Mashiyach? You and I or was it the Jews or the Romans?
Again, religion offers another gospel that takes the responsibility for
sin off their flocks and puts it on others.
There is NO other acceptable
"sin sacrifice" available today. When we speak of sacrifice we
speak of an exchange of our debt of sin for forgiveness. If we can "receive"
this truth, then we must realize that when we hurt another person,
even unintentionally, we are indebted to make restitution and be
restored with them in Mashiyach. The single most important reality in our
existence is that we only enjoy so many wonderful things in this LIFE
because it has been paid for us.
The majority of people on earth believe
in the concept and ideals of Mashiyach. About one in four people on earth
believe Yeshua is Mashiyach. That a person
would even BELIEVE in something metaphysical or
spiritual that they can't physically touch is "kabbalah". Kabbalah is spiritual revelation regardless of whether
we believe or not that we are also "spiritual beings".
The fact is that we exist, body, soul
and SPIRIT, so it's not a matter of whether a person accepts or
rejects the idea of kabbalah. It's a matter of which "kabbalah" we will choose
and which one chooses us.
If you're
reading this paper, it's most likely that you are choosing to learn the
kabbalah of YHWH and His Mashiyach Yeshua, not
the Kabbalah of man, or some anti-Messiah cult religion. The WAY to learn
kabbalah from the Ruach HaKodesh is to keep YHWH's Commandments. Meditate on His Word.
Choose to do what YHWH says. Rejoice in our Father YHWH. It is YHWH who gave us
Life and Who sustains life.
"Then said his wife unto him,
Do you still retain your integrity? curse Elohim, and die.
But he said unto her, you
speak as one of the foolish women speaks.
What? shall we QABAL
(receive) good at the hand of Elohim,
and shall we not QABAL
(receive) evil?
In all this Job did not sin
with his lips."
Job 2:9,10
"Hear
counsel, and QABAL (receive) instruction,
that you may be
wise in your latter end."
Proverbs 19:20
Throughout Y'shua's ministry he opened up our spirits by
teaching "Truly I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of Elohim as a little child, he shall
not enter therein." Mark 10:15
John
taught that "...A man can receive nothing, except it be
given him from heaven" John 3:27
Y'shua taught things that were difficult for many to
understand and accept, when addressing those who would
become eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom he said
"...All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it
is given." Matthew 19:11
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you
another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even
the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because
it sees Him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for He
dwells with you, and shall be in you." John
14:16-17
Regrettably, many "believers" refuse to receive the
"comforter", they have settled for a theology or a religious
identity about spirituality rather than choosing to live
life as spiritual beings. Many cannot turn from
rebellion and lies and gossip against Torah and Mashiyach
and YHWH's people because they have not loved the Father
according to His Word and Spirit. The Way back (teshuva)
to the Father is through repentance and humility and
acknowledging our sins and doubts to Him, along with those
who are His people. If we judge ourselves by ourselves
we are very foolish. The standard we are judge
ourselves by is Mashiyach Y'shua himself. Ask YHWH to
reveal to us who we are. If someone asks, "who are
you?" What would you say? Do you know, or have
you simply prepared an answer? I pray that you will
receive your answer from YHWH according to His Ruach
haKodesh.
"And Y’shua said to them again,
“Peace be with you.
As my Father has sent me, I also
send you.”
And when he said these things, he
breathed on them
and said to them, “Receive the
Ruach haKodesh.”
John 20:22
Shalom U'Vrachot,
Baruch Ben Daniel
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