AboutBob Waxman, M.A. Expertise Please ask any question relating to the universal aspects of Kabbalah or comparisons between unitive consciousness and the ancient wisdom of Kabbalah. Also, you are welcome to ask questions concerning Comparative Mysticism and Inter-Spirituality. Other areas of special interest are: cosmology, numerology (gematria), hidden meanings of the Bible, what happens after death, the purpose of life, the eternal validity of the soul, the importance of the inner voice, and parallels with modern science.
Experience Author of "Kabbalah Simply Stated" published by Paragon House. The book is distributed in 12 countries. Author of "The Seven Fundamental Propositions of Kabbalah" and "The Power of AWE!". Studied Kabbalah with Rabbi Azriel Abraham of Jerusalem from 1985 -1998, and have been teaching since 1999. Classes include: Kabbalah According To The Scholars, (Scholem, Kaplan & Tisby), Comparative Kabbalah, and Universal Kabbalah. Thousands have attended these classes over the years. Additionally, (4) on-going classes in Sarasota, FL, and many private students by phone. Guest speaking presentations are given throughout the year. Please see current biography at: http://www.bobwaxman.com
Organizations President of The Open Center.
Publications (3) Books, many original articles that can be found on the internet (ezine, netterweb, searchwarp, etc.) "Beyond Madonna - Kabbalah according to the Great Scholars" and "Beyond The Da Vinci Code", see: http://www.robertwaxman.org for more articles.
Education/Credentials Two B.A.'s from The American University in Philosophy and Psychology; M.A. from Skidmore College in Comparative Religion; currently working on Ph.D in Human Sciences at Saybrook Graduate College. Also, graduated from The School of Practical Philosophy in NYC, and certified by The American Seminar Leader's Association. Host of the Kabbalah WebRing on the internet.
Awards and Honors Many certificates of appreciation from various organizations.
Past/Present Clients Longboat Key Education Center, The Open Center, Unity of Sarasota, Center For Positive Living, (5) Jewish Community Centers in South Florida, many synogogues, churches, interfaith groups and religious/philosophical organizations.
Question Bob, does Kabbalah teach pre existence of the soul? and if so, my question extends further. If Christianity and Judaism are part of the same teachings why isn't the pre existence of the soul taught in modern Christianity?
Answer John,
Good question.
The Zohar (primary Kabbalistic text) teaches transmigration of the soul and six incarnations on earth.
Please understand that traditional Judaism does not offer the same teaching, nor does literal Judaism teach any form of reincarnation. This is a philosophical fork in the road between the exoteric and esoteric systems.
Since traditional Christianity finds its roots in the Hebrew Bible, it is logical that the Council Of Nicea in 325 CE decided to prevent references to 'pre-existence of the soul' from being included in The New Testament (there are many other theological reasons for this omission as well). However, these writers did not delete one interesting reference to the pre-existence of the soul. When Jesus refers to John the Baptist as 'Elijah' - who was not recognized, Matt. 11.14-15 - there is an inference of pre-existence. There are also two other minor references to reincarnation in The New Testament - but, they're not as convincing as this one. http://www.reincarnation.ws/reincarnation_in_the_new_testament.html
Many individuals refer to reincarnation as 'the lost chord of Christianity'. However, since no one can definitively prove anything about reincarnation (although Dr. Ian Stevenson comes close in his book, "20 Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation") - it's difficult to understand why it's such a threatening concept to so many people in the West. Conversely, one would think that a brand new soul being stuck with 'original sin' (from day 1) would be a much more terrifying idea.
On the other hand, what if 'original sin' were not 'original', but just the continuation of pre-existing behavioral attributes that are connected to the soul? and what if 'sin' (meaning: to miss the mark) is really our accumulated Karma which the soul is trying to expend during the lifetime? From this perspective, the Kabbalistic and early Christian/Gnostic ideas concerning reincarnation may not be so far apart.
From Wikipedia: "Additionally, there is evidence that some of the earliest Christian sects such as the Sethians and followers of the Gnostic Church of Valentinus believed in reincarnation, and they were persecuted by the Romans for this.[28]"
Excellent question - hope I've been of help to you...all the best, Bob
