YES! I've been looking for a clear, well-researched piece like this. I recently encountered a few New Age-y folks branding themselves as spiritual coaches/guides in the "Hermetic Qabalistic tradition." At first I was intrigued, because I'm Jewish and recognize Kabbalah is part of our mystical inheritance. But something about it struck me as... off. Maybe it was the different spelling, or maybe it was that it became clear that these folks aren't Jewish. It also became clearer that the "Qabalah" they're talking about (and selling classes about) is not Kabbalah rooted in Jewish study or practice, as you explain so well. Out of my discomfort with the disconnect, I started reading what I could about the history of Qabalah and how it connects with Kabbalah. The more I read, and the more I saw of the deeply, inextricably antisemitic history you lay out here, the ANGRIER I felt. I guess this is just my ignorance, but I had no idea just how much antisemitism is baked into occultism. And I'm disappointed that seemingly good-intentioned people pursue something like Qabalah without stopping to learn about its origins. Then again, I guess the New Age space is rife with cultural appropriation. Anyway, thank you for the time, research, and thoughtfulness you put into this!
YES! I've been looking for a clear, well-researched piece like this. I recently encountered a few New Age-y folks branding themselves as spiritual coaches/guides in the "Hermetic Qabalistic tradition." At first I was intrigued, because I'm Jewish and recognize Kabbalah is part of our mystical inheritance. But something about it struck me as... off. Maybe it was the different spelling, or maybe it was that it became clear that these folks aren't Jewish. It also became clearer that the "Qabalah" they're talking about (and selling classes about) is not Kabbalah rooted in Jewish study or practice, as you explain so well. Out of my discomfort with the disconnect, I started reading what I could about the history of Qabalah and how it connects with Kabbalah. The more I read, and the more I saw of the deeply, inextricably antisemitic history you lay out here, the ANGRIER I felt. I guess this is just my ignorance, but I had no idea just how much antisemitism is baked into occultism. And I'm disappointed that seemingly good-intentioned people pursue something like Qabalah without stopping to learn about its origins. Then again, I guess the New Age space is rife with cultural appropriation. Anyway, thank you for the time, research, and thoughtfulness you put into this!