cabbalism

A student studies ancient cabbalism from a large, leather-bound book.

Definition

Noun (uncountable): - The doctrines or practices of the cabbala: "Cabbalism" refers to the mystical or esoteric system of interpretation of Jewish scripture (the Cabbala), often involving hidden meanings, numerology, and symbolic understanding. - Occult or secret learning: More broadly, it can denote any system of occult knowledge, magic, or mysterious doctrines that claim to reveal hidden truths.

Usage Examples

• (The study of the mystical system of the Cabbala.)
• (The occult or secret learning associated with the Cabbala.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be steeped in cabbalism": to be deeply immersed in or influenced by mystical or esoteric doctrines.

  • His writings are steeped in cabbalism, with frequent references to hidden numbers and symbolic letters. (His work is heavily influenced by the mystical interpretations of the Cabbala.)

• "a form of cabbalism": a particular variant or application of occult knowledge.

  • The alchemists practiced a form of cabbalism that sought to unlock the secrets of nature. (A specific esoteric system aimed at hidden knowledge.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cabbala (n): the traditional mystical system of Jewish interpretation of scripture.
  • The Cabbala includes the study of the Sephirot and the Tree of Life. (The foundational mystical system.)
• Cabbalist (n): a person who studies or practices the cabbala.
  • The famous cabbalist wrote extensive commentaries on the Zohar. (A practitioner of the esoteric tradition.)
• Cabbalistic (adj): relating to or characteristic of the cabbala.
  • The cabbalistic symbols were used in meditation. (Pertaining to the mystical system.)

Synonyms

• Mysticism: a belief in the direct, hidden knowledge of spiritual truths.
• Occultism: the study of supernatural or hidden forces.
• Hermeticism: a philosophical system based on hidden, esoteric knowledge.

Related Idioms

• "the secrets of the cabbala": a phrase referring to the hidden, mystical knowledge within Jewish esoteric tradition.
  • He claimed to have unlocked the secrets of the cabbala through years of meditation. (The profound, hidden teachings of the system.)

Note

"Cabbalism" is often spelled "cabalism" (without the double 'b'), but both forms refer to the same concept. The spelling with double 'b' is closer to the Hebrew root.