AboutRobert Waxman Expertise Any questions relating to ancient or modern Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism. Also, any questions relating to comparisons between Kabbalah and other religions or philosophies. Questions about spirituality including 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. I've been teaching Kabbalah since 1999 as a series entitled, "Kabbalah According To The Scholars" (Scholem, Kaplan & Tisby). Thousands have attended my classes over the years. I have (4) on-going classes in Sarasota, FL and many private students by phone. Many guest speaking presentations are given throughout the year. At my last speaking engagement in Greenacres, FL at Temple Beth Tikvah, over 650 people attended. Please see my current biography at: www.kabalist.com
Organizations President of The Kabbalah Education Network.
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: www.robertwaxman.org for more articles.
Education/Credentials Graduate of American University in Philosophy and Psychology. Graduate work at Columbia University. Currently pursuing PhD in Philosophy of Religion. Graduate of 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 where I've given presentations.
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.
where you will see an article on the famous arcane word, "abracadabra"--which, as you may well know is a Western, i.e., phoenitic, adaptation of an original Hebrew sign, further based on the Hebrew words "abreg (abreq?)ad habra".
Do you know of anywhere I could see this sign in the original (nine-lettter) hebrew?
Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon
Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon
Answer Hi Dan,
Thank you for your question.
The closest Hebrew spelling for abracadabra is: alef-beit-reish-aleph / kaf-dalet-beit-reish-alef (the Hebrew letters would not display here).
However, please be aware that this word has been claimed by the Eygptians, Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans, Gnostics and others. Its original source has not been definitively identified.
This word is categorized under the heading of "magick", and is usually associated with Hermetic Qabala. Its etymology needs further investigation. The Hebrew spelling is probably a derivitive form.
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner says, "The way you say 'I create' in Aramaic (a cognate of Hebrew and the language of both the Talmud and the Zohar) is avara. The way you say "I speak" is davara. And the way you say "I create as I speak" is avara k'davara--Abracadabra."
In the Hermetic tradition the original word is, abra-ha-dabra, including the name HAD or HADIT, which is 'the secret self'.
Personally, I find the Gnostic association with Abraxas as a compelling explanation for its widespread useage:
"Abraxas, also known as Abrasax, is a Gnostic solar deity associated with Yahweh, Mithras and the Celtic Belenus, as well as Yeshu. Amulets and seals bearing the figure of Abraxas were common in the second century, and were used as recently as the thirteenth century in the seals of the Knights Templar. By medieval times, Abraxas was relegated to the ranks of demons.
The image most associated with Aabraxas is that of a composite creature with the head of a rooster, the body of a man, and legs made of serpents or scorpions. He carries a whip and shield, called wisdom and power, respectively. Abraxas is occasionally depicted driving a chariot drawn by four horses, which representing the four elements.
The word Abraxas was first proposed by the Alexandrian Gnostic scholar Basilides, and is created using the first letters of the names of the seven visible planets. Gematrically, the letters in Abraxas add to 365, the number of days in a solar year, and the number of Aeons, or divine emanations, in Gnostic cosmology. Each of the seven letters represents one of the seven planetary powers." (About.com)
Cultural Sun gods have always played a major role in the development of world religions. Since the Sun gives its light and life for the sake of all mankind - the answer you are seeking may be numerical (418), astrological or symbolic: http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_abraxas.htm
The importance of the Sun and its position among the 12 constellations was an obsession among the ancients. There are 12 tribes, 12 months of the year, 12 disciples, 12 numbers on the clock - which are telling the story of the Sun's 26,000 year journey around the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Abraxas as the Sun god is playing the central role in this cosmic drama. He is the spoken word of the creation of light - as in, "Let there be light" - and the macrocosmic definition of abracadabra: "I create as I speak."
Dan, I have found that many important words, myths and symbols are related to cycles of the Sun throughout the ages. I hope this information has been helpful to you.
