Kabbalah is mentioned occasionally throughout my books and this site. Today, it has a very high profile amongst those genuinely searching for spirituality as well as the utterly ignorant celebrats and others looking for cheap solutions to their shallow hedonism’s consequences.
The Fraud of Modern Kabbalah Peddlers
Nearly all those peddling Kabbalah whom I have investigated are complete frauds. They themselves may be fluent in Modern Hebrew but are utterly lost when faced with an original Aramaic page of the Talmud, never mind the cryptic and profound pages of the Kabbalah itself – the book called the Zohar. They earn their mountebank shekels by using translations and confidence trickery.
True Kabbalah Through the Generations
But true Kabbalists have existed in each generation, including this. They are a tiny number of closeted Talmudic geniuses who would never share their learning except with the greatest advanced students. Even they do not even attempt to study the kabbalah until they are 40 years old!
But – an insight into their world is educational. We can learn of the power and commitment of the Sages and great Rabbis of old.
There are plenty of reasons why we can rely on them and must not pollute or alter their traditions and message to us.
Rabbi Isaac of Acre: A Sage Beyond Measure
Of all the Rabbis involved in Kabbalistic study and calculations, Rabbi Isaac of Acre of the 13th century is an especially well-recorded figure. He was one the most highly-respected contemporaries of Nachmanides and one the greatest Kabbalists. And this man was no airy-fairy academic. We shall now accompany him on a remarkable journey which will bring this home. You will learn to appreciate what it means to be true Rabbinical Sage.
This is a salutary tale. Are you sitting comfortably?
Rabbi Isaac of Acre: The 15 Billion Years of Kabbalah
Rabbi Isaac of Acre wrote a number of works of Kabbalah. It was in ‘Ozer HaChayim’ ‘The Treasury of Life’ (p 86) that his famous calculation of the age of the universe being 15 billion Kabbalistic years appears.
The passage starts ‘I, the humble Isaac of Acre, do think it correct to put into writing a deep secret that should stay hidden (except amongst fellow Kabbalists).’ It is therefore perverse lightly to quote from this and I shall not attempt so to do.
Another work, ‘Me’iras Ainayim’ – ‘Light for the Eyes’ – is written ostensibly to clarify, at the highest level, Nachmanides’ commentary on the Torah.
Rabbi Isaac of Acre’s Mastery of Kabbalah
Rabbi Isaac was a master in drawing out Kabbalistic meaning from the information beneath the text. He was however a larger than life stickler for accuracy and rejected supposition. Although he spent days and nights engrossed in the study of the most complex Jewish concepts he also exhibited staggering feats of physical endurance. He knew the Torah, the Talmud, most other Jewish sources practically verbatim. He had also mastered Arabic, Greek and Latin and most of the available science, mathematics and the philosophy of Aristotle and Plato.
A Talmudic Scholar’s Quest for The Truth
He was the typical Talmudic scholar in the lengths he went to establish the truth. The following account illustrates this, and also adds to our knowledge about Real Judaism’s approach to truth and investigation. This short insight into another world – of medieval turmoil – describes perfectly our scholars of every century – including today. It is fascinating at many levels and centered on that most elusive of books, the Zohar, the source for the Kabbalah.
The Zohar: Uncovering The Source of Kabbalah
An extract of Rabbi Isaac’s diary, authenticated by non-Jews, from Sefer HaYuchsin HaShalem, shows the intellectual rigor, resilience and courage which typify Talmudic scholars.
In 1291 in Acre Rabbi Isaac had watched the slaughter of his family – a common Jewish experience. He was preserved for ransoming – a common Jewish experience – and eventually reached Toledo in Spain in 1305 wounded and exhausted. He was at least 55 to 60 years old. Then he heard an amazing story. It seemed unbelievable. One Rabbi Moses de Leon of Avila in Spain was said to have a copy of the source of the Kabbalah – the Book of the Zohar. This was almost the only copy he had heard of.
The Zohar and Kabbalah: Origins and History
I should here explain that the text called ‘the Zohar’ is not ‘the Kabbalah’. The Kabbalah (Hebrew ‘received’) is all the Jewish mysticism ever ‘received’ and passed down orally over the ages. Kabbalistic teachings are attributed to early Biblical figures, and throughout the eras of the Judges, Prophets and Kings further mystical insights were revealed. These were written down only in the first centuries of the Common Era by the the 1st century Rabbi Nechunya ben Hakaneh and others.
It was at this time also that the Zohar, the greatest compendium of all this knowledge was also composed. Although now in writing, this remained the most esoteric and cryptic of all studies and its methods of decryption were passed down teacher to pupil. Its study was brought to Europe from Babylon in the Middle Ages and spread gradually amongst the rare Sages that could encompass it.
The Decline and Revival of Interest in Kabbalah
After about 800 CE, the Zohar itself was known of but there was a decline of interest in Kabbalah and it became a very exclusive study. For some four centuries, it was, as today, a specialty attempted by only a very few, utterly brilliant polymaths. But this branch of learning was never “lost” and continuously studied by leading Sages. There were, unlike today, no mountebanks and post-post-hippy, chilled-out dudes selling it door to door. By 1200 CE, however, mysticism and metaphysical studies had become popular and there was a new interest in Kabbalah.
Thus the Zohar’s re-discovery about 1300 CE, which we discuss below, attracted great excitement. This, in itself, produced a renewal of wider interest and an intense exploration of mysticism. It is at this point in its history that we meet Rabbi Isaac.
Rabbi Isaac of Acre: Verifying the Zohar’s Existence
The possibility of studying a full copy of the Zohar seemed too good to be true. His wounds still not healed, he immediately tracked down this Rabbi Moses and travelled some 500 miles north to the Ferdinand IV’s Court at Valladolidia. This was a period of absolute anarchy and civil war in Spain. The Moors and Christians were murdering as many of one another as possible. The various Christian factions were also murdering as many of one another as possible. And, as normal, everyone was – you guessed – murdering as many Jews as possible.
Perils of Travel in Medieval Spain
Although the areas through which Rabbi Isaac’s carriage bumped and clattered were officially under Christian control, they were running with blood and completely lawless. King Ferdinand IV’s father, Sancho IV had been dubbed ‘the Brave’ – probably by the undertakers and grave diggers. He kept them incredibly busy – with his own relatives whom that most Christian king enjoyed slaughtering. Ferdinand IV, who somehow survived, was only slightly less lavish in culling his family.
In this blessed, peaceful and jolly corner of Christendom, our Rabbi began his travels across a barbaric and eagerly anti-Semitic country. Life was cheap. A Jew’s life was worthless.
Sanctuary in the Courts of Spanish Kings
Yet, paradoxically, one vital public show of prowess for these base Spanish kings was their commitment to culture, art, science and philosophy. So they encouraged scholars and intellectuals to gather at their courts. And, incredibly, even the most Christian King had to have his quota of learned Jews – alive – not pole-axed as usual. They may have had to wade through gore to get there – but the court was strangely a sanctuary in that insane land.
Meeting Rabbi Moses de Leon
Rabbi Isaac found Rabbi Moses de Leon thus ensconced in Valladolidia and the latter, recognizing a genius of world class, eventually admitted to him that he had the copy of the Zohar at his home in Avila. Rabbi Isaac simply had to see it. After much discussion, he was unwillingly invited to visit Rabbi Moses’ home. Rabbi Moses had to leave immediately. Rabbi Isaac set out some days after him, for another 150 mile bone-breaking journey south to Avila.
But Rabbi Moses tragically died en route. Thus Rabbi Isaac arrived in Avila to find a house of mourning.
Finding the Zohar: The Quintessential Kabbalah Text
Obviously, he could not simply march up to the grieving widow’s door. He spoke to a renowned Avila sage, one Rabbi David de Pancorbo. Rabbi David had also been amazed for many years at the astounding erudition of the deceased Rabbi Moses and the extracts that he had copied from the Zohar. Where did his esoteric and rare writings come from?
Scrutiny of Rabbi Moses’ Writings
Scoured and dissected by the searing examination of innumerable experts, they stood up to every scrutiny. The incredible depth of wisdom they contained was apparent to all. They revealed a whole new ‘quantum’ world – a Kabbalistic domain – parallel to that of the Talmud. These peer reviewers of Rabbi Moses were giants of Talmudics. They recognised the stature of the texts in a way that only perhaps a handful of our greatest scholars today can appreciate.
Rabbi David’s Investigation
Rabbi David de Pancorbo had not been idle in investigating his neighbour. Yet he also could not fathom whether Rabbi Moses was copying from a verifiable copy of the Zohar or not.
In the wake of the tragedy however he had worked out a very kind – but clever ruse. Rabbi Moses de Leon had been a saintly eccentric. He was constantly showered with wealth by the townsfolk because of his writings and wisdom. However he immediately gave everything away to the poor. His death had therefore left his family literally starving.
Unfolding Events in Rabbi Isaac’s Diary
Rabbi Isaac of Acre describes in his diary his own eye witness account of how events unfolded. This diary is authenticated and describes an intriguing tale which reveals much about the community and its personalities.
Rabbi David de Pancorbo summoned a local wealthy man, Reb Joseph. He told him of the terrible situation in the deceased Rabbi Moses’ home. He also told him of the hidden manuscript. The community had already sent in the usual assistance to the mourners – meals, money, clothing, comfort, child-care etc. He advised Reb Joseph to send his wife herself personally to take the food in. This is normally done anonymously by an organization to avoid embarrassment. The next day she should call again, and again the next. Such care for a house of mourning was – and is, 700 years later – perfectly unremarkable.
A Truly Valuable Dowry
When appropriate, Reb Joseph’s wife should then take the widow to one side and suggest a marriage between the widow’s orphaned daughter and her very own child, the son of the wealthy Reb Joseph. The only dowry would be – yes, that copy of the Zohar. Rabbi David, Reb Joseph’s advisor, was no fool. He had not yet completed his precise instructions. Reb Joseph’s wife should then take the daughter to one side and make the same suggestion – before mother and daughter could confer. He wanted to compare their stories about the priceless book.
This was done and both women told the same story. They, separately actually refused the best chance they had of survival and marriage to a famous and wealthy family. Insisting that the missing copy was not in their possession. They claimed they knew nothing of it. As far as they were concerned all Rabbi Moses’ writings were his own compositions.
Questioning the Origins of the Writings
Yet, for this man, even as a genius, to have produced so much incredible material himself in the style of a 1st century Sage seemed impossible. And in truth the actual contents as well as their style spoke of a text from a millennia earlier.
Possible Additions and Edits to the Zohar
However one must add that the Zohar contains many separate sections and in some are what appear to be anachronisms and later styles of expression. This actually is no contradiction to the idea of Rabbi Moses having a genuine copy. He may well have added slight changes or glosses or indeed whole sections in producing copies. The actual texts we hold are of course later copies no earlier than the 14th century and again, the copyists may have made their own additions. We are not describing the incredibly precise reproductions of the Torah or Oral Law here. In hand-copying academic texts, centuries before printing, some editing was always normal.
Evidence Supporting the Zohar’s Authenticity
Further, many mystical writing from earlier periods were extant for comparison. The discovered text matched perfectly and contained profundities which had been quoted in other texts as being from the Zohar. Rabbi Moses could not have had access to these and no copies were found in his home town. He died unexpectedly and would scarcely have destroyed such a valuable source. Long passages, often produced decades apart, were identical to the slightest detail belying the idea that they were simply memorised. It seemed that he must have had a real copy of the 1st century Zohar somewhere. All this was proven conclusively to Rabbi Isaac of Acre by one Rabbi Isaac ben Levi, the son of Rabbi Turdas the Mekubal (‘master of Kabbalah’).
Theories on the Hidden Zohar
One explanation is that Rabbi Moses had secreted his copy of the Zohar in a place unknown to anyone and had sworn his family to secrecy even about its existence. It may still be there. It seems unclear whether later his family agreed that they had seen it or not.
Disputes Over the Diary’s Accounts
There are disputes as to which is the genuine version of Rabbi Isaac of Acre’s diary and account. In one account, the widow and daughter state that the late Rabbi Moses was a true genius and ‘admit’ there really was no original Zohar from which he copied. The Zohar was his creation! He composed it and then copied from that. It dates from only the 13th not the 1st century. More orthodox lies. Gotcha!
Debunking Claims of Forgery
No, sorry. This actually does not put any cats amongst any pigeons. This ruse would have been an excellent strategy to protect the ancient copy of the Zohar from discovery. That may be precisely what Rabbi Moses has told his wife to say. Alternatively, her husband may have hidden the Zohar from even his wife.
The Invitation as Proof of Genuineness
Another proof of the veracity of this is the very invitation, albeit begrudgingly given to Rabbi Isaac to visit Avila. Rabbi Moses was bringing the greatest Kabbalist of his day to his home to see the text itself. If this esteemed expert were to doubt its authenticity and voice this doubt, Rabbi Moses’ career would be over. If he found only copies of the ‘original’ or only copies of a suspiciously modern-sounding text, it would be equally damning.
Rabbi Isaac’s Renowned Authority
Remember, Rabbi Isaac of Acre was not simply another Rabbi, or even genius, visiting the intellectual centre of Spain at Valladolidia. He was a world-renowned authority who had gone there specially to find Rabbi Moses. If Rabbi Moses were a fraud – then he had to have been an incredible Kabbalistic genius. But only a fool would invite the world expert to see a false text. But if he was genuine – then the existence of the lost manuscript and the events in the diary are perfectly plausible.
Further he seems uninterested in money and fame because he lived in a tiny town and gave all his money away to the poor. Indeed, Jewish academia has concluded that the text was a rare copy of the original Zohar with perhaps miniscule 13th century addenda by Rabbi Moses. A copy of the 1st century original Zohar indeed had resurfaced as the 14th century opened.
Reflections on Rabbi Isaac’s Courage and Tenacity
Leaving aside the fascinating history of Rabbi Moses de Leon’s copy of the Avila Zohar, we are given an astounding picture of Rabbi Isaac of Acre. Just imagine the courage, tenacity and physical effort shown by this wounded fugitive Rabbi merely to find ‘a book’ – after he had lost his family in Acre, been flung into prison and narrowly escaped being hacked to death. And do remember he was not driving a well-sprung Volvo. Also, this little nugget of history does illustrate how detail and factual evidence are central to our learning and how hearsay is always suspected. We take nothing on faith.
Rabbi Isaac as a Respected Figure
So Rabbi Isaac was a tough intellectual – and a very real personality. His ‘15 billion years’ was certainly not the product of a fanciful theorist, playing with a new idea.
Is this a man whom you could respect? A man whom you would believe? Is this not an astonishing genius who grasped real life by the throat? Can you imagine discussing the question of secular Judaism as you live it with him? If you were to look you can find today – within perhaps a few miles from where you are – numerous figures – obviously not of his stature – but all of whom would gain your respect and by their very lives completely alter your perspective.
Have the courage to ask.
A Happy Resolution for the Family
Before I forget, it would be unacceptable to leave you in suspense. Yes, the Rabbi Moses’s daughter was happily married to the generous Rabbi Joseph’s son, even without the elusive ‘dowry’.
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