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Mysticism and mystical experiences have been a part of Judaism since the earliest decades before the Christian Era.

Mysticism and mystical experiences have been a part of Judaism since the earliest decades before the Christian Era.

Kabbalah is said by its [[Apologetics|apologists]] to be one of the most grossly misunderstood parts of Judaism. The mystical doctrines contained in it are said by its students and masters to have been revealed and entrusted to [[Ezra]] the Scribe 400 years before the appearance of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus of Nazareth]]. Mysticism is an integral part of [[Hasidic Judaism|Chasidic Judaism]], and passages from kabbalistic sources are routinely included in traditional Jewish prayer books.  

Kabbalah is said by its [[Apologetics|apologists]] to be one of the most grossly misunderstood parts of Judaism. The mystical doctrines contained in it are said by its students and masters to have been revealed and entrusted to [[Ezra]] the Scribe 400 years before the appearance of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus of Nazareth]]. Mysticism is an integral part of [[Hasidism|Chasidic Judaism]], and passages from kabbalistic sources are routinely included in traditional Jewish prayer books.  

Many traditional Jewish stories involve the use of hidden knowledge to affect the world in ways that could be described as magic, which was condemned by the Law of Moses. The Talmud and other sources ascribe [[supernatural]] activities to many great rabbis, claiming that some rabbis pronounced one of the names of God and ascended into heaven to consult with the God and the angels on issues of great public concern. One scholar is said to have created an artificial man by reciting various names of God. Much later stories tell of a rabbi who created a man out of clay (a golem) and brought it to life by putting in its mouth a piece of paper with a name of God on it. However, this area of Kabbalah is not something that is practiced by the average Jew, or even the average rabbi. There are a number of stories that discourage the pursuit of such knowledge and power as dangerous and irresponsible. As these stories demonstrate, this kind of knowledge was traditionally thought to be far too dangerous to be distributed blindly to the masses.

Many traditional Jewish stories involve the use of hidden knowledge to affect the world in ways that could be described as magic, which was condemned by the Law of Moses. The Talmud and other sources ascribe [[supernatural]] activities to many great rabbis, claiming that some rabbis pronounced one of the names of God and ascended into heaven to consult with the God and the angels on issues of great public concern. One scholar is said to have created an artificial man by reciting various names of God. Much later stories tell of a rabbi who created a man out of clay (a golem) and brought it to life by putting in its mouth a piece of paper with a name of God on it. However, this area of Kabbalah is not something that is practiced by the average Jew, or even the average rabbi. There are a number of stories that discourage the pursuit of such knowledge and power as dangerous and irresponsible. As these stories demonstrate, this kind of knowledge was traditionally thought to be far too dangerous to be distributed blindly to the masses.