Traditional spirituality

1. Rabbinic Judaism (or in some Christian traditions, Rabbinism) (Hebrew: "Yahadut Rabanit" - ‫יהדות‬
‫)רבנית‬ has been the mainstream form of Judaism since the 6th century CE, after the codification of the
Talmud.
It is characterised by the belief that the Written Torah ("Law" or "Instruction") cannot be correctly
interpreted without reference to the Oral Torah and by the voluminous literature specifying what
behavior is sanctioned by the law (called halakha, "the way").
Judaism knows a variety of religious observances: ethical rules, prayers, religious clothing, holidays,
shabbat, pilgrimages, Torah reading, dietary laws.
Kabbalah (literally "receiving"), is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought of Judaism. Its
definition varies according to the tradition and aims of those following it, from its religious origin as an
integral part of Judaism, to its later Christian, New Age, or Occultist syncretic adaptations.
Kabbalah is a set of esoteric teachings meant to explain the relationship between an unchanging, eternal
and mysterious Ein Sof (no end) and the mortal and finite universe (his creation). While it is heavily
used by some denominations, it is not a religious denomination in itself. Inside Judaism, it forms the
foundations of mystical religious interpretation.
Outside Judaism, its scriptures are read outside the traditional canons of organised religion. Kabbalah
seeks to define the nature of the universe and the human being, the nature and purpose of existence, and
various other ontological questions. It also presents methods to aid understanding of these concepts and
to thereby attain spiritual realisation.
Hasidic Judaism, meaning "piety" (or "loving kindness"), is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that
promotes spirituality through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the
fundamental aspect of the faith. It was founded in 18th-century Eastern Europe by Rabbi Israel Baal
Shem Tov as a reaction against overly legalistic Judaism. His example began the characteristic
veneration of leadership in Hasidism as embodiments and intercessors of Divinity for the followers.
Opposite to this, Hasidic teachings cherished the sincerity and concealed holiness of the unlettered
common folk, and their equality with the scholarly elite.

2. The emphasis on the Immanent Divine presence in everything gave new value to prayer and deeds of
kindness, alongside Rabbinic supremacy of study, and replaced historical mystical (kabbalistic) and
ethical (musar) asceticism and admonishment with optimism, encouragement, and daily fervour.
This populist emotional revival accompanied the elite ideal of nullification to paradoxical Divine
Panentheism, through intellectual articulation of inner dimensions of mystical thought.
By Sophia King