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Kabbalah is an oral tradition of Jewish mysticism that has experienced a celebrity-studded renaissance over the past decade. It dates from the 12th century, although the earliest texts studied and cited by Kabbalists have their origins in the first century AD. Kaballah claims to reveal a secret knowledge of the unwritten Torah as professed by God to Adam and Moses. Curious seekers will be heartened to learn that Kabbalah has its own online FAQ. The word "Kabbalah" derives from the Hebrew root "to receive, to accept." Adherents of Kabbalah accept the divinity of the Torah, while seeking to
decipher its hidden meanings and prophecies through the study of texts such as the Zohar (Book of Splendor) and the Bahir (Book of Brightness). As several sites in the Kabbalah category of the Yahoo! Directory point out, all religions have mystical strains, and Judaism is no exception. Kabbalah has also been practiced by gentiles, in a form known as Hermetic
Kabbalah, for hundreds of years. There is no dearth of Kabbalah resources online. The Bnei Baruch World Center for Kabbalah Studies features a handy beginner's guide, contacts for local classes, and MP3 samples of Kabbalistic music.
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