Expert: Robert Waxman - 8/4/2009

Question
I'm not sure if you know this but I wanted to know what Kabbalah says about how we got here? I know it says the vessel shattered and the sparks formed everything, but did it form people, plants, and animals right then? Or did it form basic life which evolved into everything today?

Answer
Hi Sam - good questions.

Kabbalah teaches a theory of metempsychosis which says that consciousness (life - chai) develops "from a mineral to a plant to a animal to a human to a god" (The Zohar). This is the spiritual equivalent of Darwin's theory of physical evolution. In other words, the consciousness of nature evolves along with the physical form as time progresses. Additionally, evolution doesn't end - it is always an on-going process.

Once consciousness has evolved into 'self-consciousness' - the human can say, "I AM" which is the recognition that the human-being is a 'thinking-thing' (Descartes). From this point forward the theory of tramsmigration begins and the human-soul continues to expand consciousness through a series of lifetimes (the Zohar says six - but, the Hindus say many, many more).

The 'Genesis' creation story (ex-nihilo - something coming from nothing) is not the traditional teaching of the 13th Century Kabbalists. They taught a doctrine of cause & effect as The En-Sof reflects itself in a devolutionary process which emanates as the Tree of Life (down to Malkuth - Earth - The Kingdom).

Also, you should know that the Tzim-Tzum theory as proposed by Rabbi Issac Luria in the 16th Century tells the story of the Sephirot as 'vessels' that shattered as the primordial light contracted and expanded downward. This theory produces the 'Tikkun Olam' concept that states that human-beings through good deeds (mitzvot) can repair these vessels for the purpose of creating spiritual perfection on earth and in the universe. Please understand that this is Luria's theory and does not appear in The Zohar, Sepher Yetzirah, or The Sepher Ha-Bahir (the three most important Kabbalistic texts). In other words, before this theory of Rabbi Luria's, the 'vessels' did not shatter and there was no need for the Kabbalist to be motivated to perform mitzvot to repair the sitra-ahra (and the shards/Klippoth). The previous theories of Kabbalah were to concentrate on inner reparation (Tikkun Ha-Nrefesh) and to practice Kavvanah (mystical meditation). The pre-Lurianic teachings taught the Kabbalist how to directly experience God through unio-mystico (oneness with the Godhead).

For further information on this subject, please read Moshe Idel's briiliant book, "Kabbalah: New Perspectives" - he is referred to as the foremost living scholar on this subject.

Sam - thank you for your intelligent questions and I wish you all the best, Bob Waxman