Suggested Reading for SMU CAPE Historical Jesus Course Antiquity of the Ancient Jewish Mystical Tradition Source: Meditation and the Bible by Aryeh Kaplan “Rabbi Abraham Maimonides (12th Century Jewish scholar and physician) writes that there are two types of isolation (hitbidedut), external and internal. External isolation is nothing more than physical seclusion, but internal isolation refers to the meditative process, where one isolates himself both spiritually and mentally. Such mediation is seen as the highest of all practices, being the method used by the prophets to attain their revelation. The prophets frequently engaged in physical seclusion, but the main purpose of such external isolation was as preparation for internal isolation or mediation, which brought one to the highest step on the ladder of revelation. A number of Biblical verses are seen by Rabbi Abraham as referring to such a meditative state. It is the perfection from within the heart for which King David prayed when he said ‘A pure heart create for me O God’ (Psalm 51:12) It was also the attainment of Aseph, regarding which he sang, ‘My flesh and heart fade away, while God becomes the Rock of my heart and my portion forever’ (Psalm 73:26). These verses refer to the purity of mind and heart, when they are cleansed of all things other than the Divine. When a person attains such a state, the Divine Essence is actually seen as entering the mind and dwelling in it.” (Presenter’s Note: Jesus’ admonition to the Pharisees in Matt 23:26: “Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”) Use of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) and Other Names of God in Jewish Meditation Source: Meditation and the Bible by Aryeh Kaplan “There is some discussion in the literature as to why all these Names (of God) have such a profound effect. Rabbi Abraham Abulafia states that the Names themselves do not have any intrinsic powers, but rather, when properly used, can induce states of consciousness where the person himself has such powers. The Name is therefore used primarily as a meditative device to bring the individual into certain states of consciousness, transporting him to the proper spiritual framework, whether for prophecy or to direct spiritual energy in other ways.” (Presenter’s Note: Reference Jesus’ words in John 17: 11-12 “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.”) One of the greatest sources of confusion is the fact that many people think that these Names need only be recited to be effective. According to all the Kabbalistic texts that speak of this, use of the Divine Names involves much more than this. First, there is considerable preparation that the individual requires before he can make use of these Names. The Names themselves, in most cases, were used very much like a mantra. In the Hekhalot, (Ancient Jewish Mystical Tradition writings concerning ascending to the heavenly realms) a mystical text dating from the first century, we find certain Names and letter combinations which must be repeated over and over, bringing the user into the mystical state. The most important and potent of God’s names is the Tetragrammaton, YHVH. This name is never pronounced out loud, even in prayer. It is taught that one who pronounces the Tetragrammaton disrespectfully is guilty of a most serious offense, and is worthy of death. We have already seen that meditation was very important in the careers of the Prophets . As we shall see, a good number of the most influential classical Judaic philosophers and Kabbalists clearly stated that meditation was the most important of all disciplines required to attain enlightenment and prophecy . With his keen mind, (Moses) was able to understand what was required to attain enlightenment, realizing that the path was through meditation...” Jewish Meditation and Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) or Enlightenment, or a Higher State of Consciousness, or Righteousness and the Seven States of Consciousness Source: Meditation and Kabbalah by Aryeh Kaplan Jewish Meditation Banned and the Knowledge Becomes Secret “ During the time of Solomon’s Temple (953 – 586 B.C.), the Talmud informs us that there were literally millions of individuals involved in the prophetic mysteries. It is no coincidence that idolatry and sorcery were so prevalent at the time. People who could not reach the spiritual heights of the prophets took the easy way of idolatry and occultism instead. It is therefore also no coincidence that when the prophetic schools were abolished after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple, the ‘lust for idolatry’ was also abolished. Still there were small closed schools that kept the traditions of the prophets alive. In order to prevent the masses from once again turning to idolatrous practices as a substitute for true prophetic meditation, they restricted the spread of these ideas. Finally, outside of a small school, these practices were totally unknown. The only ones who had any idea of the methods was a small, restricted school of Kabbalists.” (Presenter’s Note: Reference Jesus’ words in Mark 4:11 “The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables.”) The Ancient Jewish Baptismal Rite and the Tetragrammaton Source: "Putting on the Names": A Jewish-Christian Legacy by Truman G. Madsen Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, Reprinted by permission from By Study and Also By Faith: Essays in Honor of Hugh W. Nibley on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990), 1: 81. Name Transmission “Medieval Jewish mysticism continued and embellished in the absence of the temple ritual processes for receiving and giving divine names. Thus Eleazar of Worms (a 13th Century Jewish mystic) describes an initiation which Scholem (Contemporary Jewish scholar) concludes is "very old," for the transmitting of the name of God from master to pupil. The name is transmitted only to the reserved this word can also be translated as "the initiates" who are not prone to anger, who are humble and God-fearing, and carry out the commandments of their Creator. And it is transmitted only over water. Before the master teaches it to his pupil, they must both immerse themselves and bathe in forty measures of flowing water, then put on white garments (linen) and fast on the day of instruction. Then both must stand up to their ankles in the water, and the master must say a prayer ending with the words: "The voice of God is over the waters! Praised be Thou, O Lord, who revealest Thy secret to those who fear Thee, He who knoweth the mysteries." Then both must turn their eyes toward the water and recite verses from the Psalms, praising God over the waters. ” Source: Kabbalah, New Perspectives by Moshe Idel “Compare also Rabbi Eleazar’s description of the transmission of the Tetragrammaton to a disciple, which seems to reflect not only an ancient practice but also an extant praxis.” Source: Jewish Encyclopedia Baptism “ With reference to Ezikiel 36:25, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean. Rabbi Akiva, in the second century, made the utterance: ‘Blessed art thou O Israel! Before whom dost thou cleanse thyself? And who cleanses thee? Thy Father in Heaven. (Yoma 8:9) Accordingly, Baptism is not merely for the purpose of expiating a special transgression...but it is to form a part of holy living and to prepare for the attainment of a closer communion with God.” Source: Kabbalah and Meditation by Aryeh Kaplan “In Kabbalah meditation, the simplest contemplative device is the Tetragrammaton itself...” Source: Matt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father (YHVH) and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Jesus Attains Unity Consciousness (Prophecy Consciousness) on Being Baptized and Goes Into the Desert For Forty Days Source: Mark 1:9-13 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’ Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” Source: John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” John 10:38 “. the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” John 7:21 “. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us. .” John 17:23 “I in them and thou in me, that they may be brought to complete unity.” John 17:11 “Holy father, keep them in thy name (YHVH), which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does the works.” Source: Meditation and Kabbalah by Aryeh Kaplan “.