The Kabbalah

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Kabbalah

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Adolphe Franck's scholarly study traces the philosophical origins of Kabbalah to ancient Zoroastrianism, arguing against Greek influence. This translation by I. Sossnitz offers a popularized, unalloyed exposition of Jewish gnosis, analyzing the Zohar and Sefer Yetzirah while exploring connections to Plato, Christianity, and Persian theology.

Summary up to 500 words

Adolphe Franck's *The Kabbalah* challenges the traditional assertion that Jewish mysticism is an indigenous invention or a mere copy of Greek philosophy. Instead, Franck argues that the Kabbalistic system evolved from the theology of the Parsees (Zoroastrians). He posits that while the Jewish people historically resisted foreign opinions, the Babylonian exile forced a necessary synthesis. During this period, Persian cosmogony, particularly concepts of emanation and dualism, profoundly influenced Jewish thought. Franck contends that the Kabbalah represents an original evolution of these Persian ideas rather than a simple copy, adapted over centuries to address the spiritual crises of the post-exilic Jewish community. The work critically examines foundational texts like the *Zohar* and the *Sefer Yetzirah*, distinguishing their unique metaphysical structures from Platonic dualism. Franck notes that while superficial resemblances exist between Kabbalah and systems like Plato's or Alexandrian philosophy, the foundations differ fundamentally. Plato acknowledged a dualism between spirit and inert matter, whereas Kabbalists, adhering to the dogma of creation *ex nihilo*, maintained an absolute unity where God is the cause, substance, and form of all existence. The Kabbalistic *Sefiroth* represent both forms of existence and the attributes of inert substance, uniting into a common attribute called the "Son," a structure distinct from the Platonic trinity. Franck delves into the allegorical methods of the Kabbalists, exploring their conception of God's nature, the structure of the universe, and the human soul's pivotal role as a bridge between the divine and material worlds. He asserts that the Kabbalah is not a source of Christian gnosis but a distinct system rooted in ancient Persian wisdom. The text highlights how Jewish religious philosophers, from Saadia to later commentators, incorporated strange elements from prevailing philosophies while clinging to Mosaic tradition. Ultimately, Franck presents the Kabbalah as a sophisticated philosophical attempt to reconcile the simplicity of Mosaic records with the complex questions of cosmic genesis and destiny, utilizing Persian patterns to develop analogous seeds within Jewish doctrine without succumbing to syncretism.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy