AboutRabbi Ari Shishler Expertise I'm happy to answer questions on Jewish belief, Jewish spirituality & Kabbalah.
Experience Rabbi, lecturer on Talmud and Jewish spirituality at Chabad House, Johannesburg, South Africa 1997-present.
Talmud teacher at local Jewish high school 1996- present.
Organizations Chabad Lubavitch.
Publications Jewish Tradition, South Africa.
Jewish Report, weekly newspaper, South Africa
SAUJS annual Holiday guide.
Education/Credentials Six years of tertiary education at Rabbinical seminaries in South Africa, Israel and New York.
Expert: Rabbi Ari Shishler Date: 7/31/2007 Subject: Very early Italian Kabbalists
Question QUESTION: I have seen a round Tree of Life made by very early Italian KBLists (circa 1200's, not the 1500's Christian "KBLists"). Have you seen it? How can I know more about them?
Thank you in advance!
ANSWER: Hi Moshe
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by a "round" Tree of Life. Can you please explain or refer to me a site where I might find a picture?
That should assist me in answering the question.
Regards
Rabbi Ari Shishler
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I first saw this graphic, round depiction of the Sefirotic Tree in the cover of Moshe Idel's "Kabbalah: New Perspectives" Recently though, the scholar GIULIO BUSI has published his "Qabbalah Visiva" (in Italian)where he devotes two pages to describing it, sadly without giving much details about where more information on the history of these early kabbalists. Busi researched found this Tree in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris (ms. hebr 763, c35r258)
There is a picture of it in the cover of an unrelated book called "Buddha Turns the Kabbalah Wheel" You may see it in the Amazon.com site. Busi's book-cover may be seen at: http://www.einaudi.it/einaudi/ita/catalogo/scheda.jsp? isbn=978880616568&ed=87
Thank you again.
ANSWER: Hi Moshe
I have to admit that I have never seen that diagram before.
It may be a depiction of what Kabbalah calls "Or HaSovev" or the "Encompassing Light".
What that means is that G-d generates two primary forms of energy into the Creative process.
The first is called "Or Pinimi", meaning the energy that gives rise to the details of Life. This energy is finite and follows a set pattern of revelation, which we know as the Ten Sefirot.
But, G-d also generates a more powerful energy, which is entirely undefined and too powerful to be contained within the creative process. This energy remains beyond the Ten Sefirot and cannot be defined. To illustrate the infinite nature of this Divine energy, Kabbalah calls it "Sovev" which means to surround (i.e. not able to enter the Sefirotic system) or "Iggul", meaning circle, implying its infinite nature (like a circle that has no beginning or end point).
It seems that this is what that diagram is intended to depict.
I hope that makes sense.
Regards
Rabbi Ari Shishler
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Rabbi Ari Shishler, thank you for your very interesting answer. It leaves me meditating.
However, my original question is not so much about the meaning of this diagram, as interesting as it is, but about the Italian KBLists of the 1200's. Busi tells us that they were a small group, but that they were very cultured.
I will like to know about these teachers, their people, and their history, not so much about the metaphysics of this particular Tree. Can you lead me to a good source or do you know about them?
Thank you!
Answer Hi Moshe
I got all caught up in the diagram, and forgot about the original question : )
