kabbalah

or cab·a·la

[ kab-uh-luh, kuh-bah- ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌkabbaˈlistic, adjective
• ˈkabbalist, noun
• kabbalism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kabbalah¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kabbalah¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Hebrew qabbālāh tradition, what is received, from qābal to receive

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

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

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

From New York Times

He liked dozens of Facebook pages connected to far-right groups, conspiracy theories, mysticism, free masonry, alchemy and kabbalah, among other things.

From New York Times

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

From Literature