Editing Kabbalah (section)

== Study of Kabbalah ==
The study of Kabbalah differs from the study of the revealed Torah, since in studying the revealed Torah, one understands the essence of what they're learning, but in studying Kabbalah one only knows about the existence of the concepts being learned, but doesn't understand their essence. For this reason, studying Kabbalah is similar to studying Scripture, where one can also learn without understanding.

However, halachically it's ruled that studying Kabbalah counts as part of learning Gemara, meaning learning that includes complete understanding and comprehension. The reason for this is that there are two ways of studying Kabbalah: when one learns just the main points concisely, or when one learns the concepts extensively with explanation. Learning in the first way is similar to learning Scripture, and the second to learning Gemara.

==== Restrictions on Studying Kabbalah ====
In Chazal there are restrictions on studying Pnimiyus HaTorah, and these restrictions were codified by the Rambam - that we don't teach Torah secrets except to one who has already learned much in the revealed Torah and has enough wisdom to grasp the secrets. However, these restrictions don't mean that the secret part of Torah itself is forbidden to study; the prohibition is only for people who due to their limited understanding cannot learn it. But this part itself is one of the parts of Torah and we are commanded to learn it just like any other part.

An additional caution in learning Kabbalah is not to study it independently, trying to understand things according to human logic, but only through receiving from a qualified person to person, or those who merit to receive things directly through revelations from Eliyahu and the like.

Another caution is not to engage in practical Kabbalah. The Alter Rebbe spoke against those who engage in conjuring angels for supernatural power, since there's no benefit for avodas Hashem. The Alter Rebbe even testified that he never saw people engaging in this and never saw books about it, only heard that in earlier generations they would conjure angels.

The Rebbe did not deny the truth of practical Kabbalah matters like matchmaking compatibility and palm reading, but limited the way to acquire them to learning from a teacher and not self-study. The Rebbe denied the existence of a contemporary Kabbalist specializing in these matters, and even instructed to stay away from these matters and all matters of practical Kabbalah.
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