Cabala

Cabala, or Kabbalah (Hebrew, “tradition”), body of esoteric Jewish mystical doctrines dealing with the manifestations of and revelation of God. The Cabala attaches mystical significance to every detail in the Torah, the first 5 books of the Bible. Its chief books are the Sefer Yezirah (Book of Creation; 3rd-6th centuries) and the Sefer HaZohar (Book of Splendor; 13th century). The Cabala arose in France and Spain in the Middle Ages and was later a major influence on Hasidism.

See also: Hasidism.