Medieval alchemy, Kabbalah and Islamic esotericism
Abraham Abulafia
Founder of what later scholars call Prophetic or Ecstatic Kabbalah: permutation of Hebrew letters and divine names, with breathing, posture and concentration.
- Dates
- 1240 – after 1291
- Dating
- approximate dates
- Born
- Zaragoza
The life
He travelled through the Mediterranean world, studied philosophy and Kabbalah, and developed his techniques into a practical discipline. In 1280 he attempted to meet Pope Nicholas III, apparently intending some kind of prophetic confrontation or conversion; the pope died shortly before the encounter could occur.
Place in the tradition
The letter-permutation techniques that later ceremonial magic borrows for divine names begin as a contemplative discipline here.
a note on the record
History and later legend
He was still alive in 1291. His death came sometime afterward, but its date and place are unknown.
the written record
Principal works
-
1273
Book of Redemption
Sefer ha-Geulah
An early prophetic work articulating his understanding of revelation.
-
1280
Secrets of the Torah
Sitrei Torah
A commentary on Maimonidean philosophy interpreted through mystical methods.
-
1280
Life of the World to Come
Ḥayyei ha-Olam ha-Ba
One of his clearest manuals of ecstatic technique involving letters and divine names.
-
1285–86
Treasury of the Hidden Eden
Otzar Eden Ganuz
An extensive synthesis of his prophetic Kabbalah.
-
c. 1285–88
Book of the Sign
Sefer ha-Ot
A highly visionary prophetic work.
-
1291
Words of Beauty
Imrei Shefer
Among the latest datable products of his career.