How Kabbalah Came to Colonial America - The Occult, Theosophy, Puritans & Quakers in the New World
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- Опубликовано: 18 ноя 2021
- How and When did Kabbalah reach the New World? Having its origins in medieval France and Spain before spreading to the wider world after the Alhambra Decree, Kabbalah had reached the entire Jewish world by the 17th century. But how exactly did it arrive and eventually flourish in the New World, especially in the Colonies of North America? Following up on my episode last year on Colonial North American Occultism, this episode will trace the earliest known history of Kabbalah in what would become the United States. Join me as i dive deep into New World Theosophy, Puritanism and the birth of Kabbalah in the Colonies.
#kabbalah #occult #colonialamerica
Recommended Reading:
Ogren - Kabbalah and the Founding of America - 978-1479807987
Moses a witness to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ :; A discourse had in the College-Hall at Cambridge, March 27, 1722 - colenda.library.upenn.edu/cat... ("Nothing but the Truth" starts on image 131 of 162)
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Thank you Dr. Sledge for making these great videos to curate content to the wider world. Your presence in the pandemic has kept me company and my curiosity alive.
While I can't make any monetary donations, I hope that my earnest thanks and appreciation of your work are a small consolation.
I do my best to like and watch your videos and to share with my peers.
Thanks again Justin I know that Brill texts can get expensive.
- Rodney D
The application of Kabbalah, a mystical Jewish tradition, to the history of America can be an intriguing exercise in exploring metaphors and symbolic interpretations. However, it's important to note that Kabbalah is primarily rooted in Jewish mysticism and focuses on Jewish teachings and traditions. The connection between Kabbalah and the history of America is not a direct or traditional one.
That being said, we can attempt to provide a broad, metaphorical interpretation of the history of America through a Kabbalistic lens, acknowledging that this is a creative exercise and not a definitive perspective:
Founding and Sephirot: Just as the Sephirot represent different aspects of the divine, the founding of America can be seen as an emanation of various principles and ideals. The pursuit of liberty (Gevurah), equality (Tiferet), and justice (Yesod) can be seen as foundational values that shaped the nation.
Spiritual Journey: Kabbalah emphasizes the spiritual journey of the individual. Similarly, the history of America can be viewed as a collective spiritual journey, with the nation evolving and progressing over time. This journey includes struggles, challenges, and transformative moments that have shaped the nation's identity and values.
Tikkun Olam: In Kabbalah, the concept of Tikkun Olam refers to the responsibility to repair and heal the world. This idea can be applied to America's historical narrative, as the nation has grappled with social injustices, seeking to address them and create a more equitable society. Movements for civil rights, women's rights, and other social justice causes can be seen as expressions of this principle.
Unity and Diversity: Kabbalah teaches that unity can be found within diversity, with each individual contributing to the greater whole. Similarly, America's history is shaped by its diverse population, where people from different backgrounds and cultures come together to form a unified nation, celebrating their unique contributions.
Transformation and Renewal: Kabbalah emphasizes the potential for personal and collective transformation. In the history of America, transformative moments such as the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and other pivotal events can be seen as opportunities for renewal and growth, leading to the evolution of the nation.
It's important to remember that these interpretations are symbolic and metaphorical in nature, and they are not universally accepted within Kabbalistic traditions. They are offered as a creative exploration of connecting Kabbalistic concepts to the history of America. Individual interpretations may vary, and further exploration of Kabbalistic texts and guidance from scholars can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the tradition.
I love how you call ‘Papist Antichrists’ harsh, even for Puritans, that’s still standard political dialogue here in Belfast from some corners😂 I shouldn’t laugh, those same lot barred a memorial to witches who were tried and killed because they didn’t want ‘a shrine to paganism’. Not even the whole of the ‘west’ has the luxury of framing this stuff entirely in the past, which is why your work is so essential! Endless gratitude.
It's insane to me how anyone can align themselves with that side of history while having the luxury of looking back on it from the future and claiming to believe in good morals
God bless the Ulster Plantation!
This is brilliant. I’m really happy you’re expanding this series. I find the topic of occultism and colonial America fascinating
This was suuuuuper interesting. It's so close to the stuff I'm working on (16th century Italian Christian Cabala) and yet soooo far... I will definitely have to pick up the Ogren book. I read his last one not too long ago "The Beginning of the World in Renaissance Thought" which is largely about Pico, Alemanno, and Abravanel.
Yeah this was a ton of fun to dig into (though really under-performing views wise, go figure) but yes, the often book us really solid and well-written. The 17th century justs "feels" so, so different on this side of the Atlantic for some reason. Hope you're doing well, friend!
New your channel, unfortunately not much of a financial source
The application of Kabbalah, a mystical Jewish tradition, to the history of America can be an intriguing exercise in exploring metaphors and symbolic interpretations. However, it's important to note that Kabbalah is primarily rooted in Jewish mysticism and focuses on Jewish teachings and traditions. The connection between Kabbalah and the history of America is not a direct or traditional one.
That being said, we can attempt to provide a broad, metaphorical interpretation of the history of America through a Kabbalistic lens, acknowledging that this is a creative exercise and not a definitive perspective:
Founding and Sephirot: Just as the Sephirot represent different aspects of the divine, the founding of America can be seen as an emanation of various principles and ideals. The pursuit of liberty (Gevurah), equality (Tiferet), and justice (Yesod) can be seen as foundational values that shaped the nation.
Spiritual Journey: Kabbalah emphasizes the spiritual journey of the individual. Similarly, the history of America can be viewed as a collective spiritual journey, with the nation evolving and progressing over time. This journey includes struggles, challenges, and transformative moments that have shaped the nation's identity and values.
Tikkun Olam: In Kabbalah, the concept of Tikkun Olam refers to the responsibility to repair and heal the world. This idea can be applied to America's historical narrative, as the nation has grappled with social injustices, seeking to address them and create a more equitable society. Movements for civil rights, women's rights, and other social justice causes can be seen as expressions of this principle.
Unity and Diversity: Kabbalah teaches that unity can be found within diversity, with each individual contributing to the greater whole. Similarly, America's history is shaped by its diverse population, where people from different backgrounds and cultures come together to form a unified nation, celebrating their unique contributions.
Transformation and Renewal: Kabbalah emphasizes the potential for personal and collective transformation. In the history of America, transformative moments such as the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and other pivotal events can be seen as opportunities for renewal and growth, leading to the evolution of the nation.
It's important to remember that these interpretations are symbolic and metaphorical in nature, and they are not universally accepted within Kabbalistic traditions. They are offered as a creative exploration of connecting Kabbalistic concepts to the history of America. Individual interpretations may vary, and further exploration of Kabbalistic texts and guidance from scholars can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the tradition.
Lol nice intro.
All sorts of wierdos make cameos around these parts :)
Can't wait for the Witchfinder's response to Kabalah.
Great video! The brief mention of Mormons was very exciting for me lol (I was raised in the church). Is there any chance you’ll ever do a video about early Mormonism?
Yes definitely
@@TheEsotericaChannel awesome. I greatly look forward to the video!
I also look forward to this!
Been waiting all Shabbat for this ;)
23:38 I spit out my toothpaste laughing! You are the best, Dr Sledge!
It may be rationalizing, but it's a great tradition for Esoterica to do during the Thanksgiving period. Thank you Dr. Sledge!
Great content, as always. I also really love how the automatically generated subtitles struggle with some of these names, especially "Shabbat type v" and "Shabbat tights v" made me giggle more than a 30-year old man probably should have
Great work piecing these together!
"It always comes back to the apocalypse"... A running theme in my eschatological studies has been the notion that beliefs generate something akin to an intellectual force with a magnitude determined by the strength of the belief and a trajectory determined by the idea being believed. In a practical sense, this means that when people believe the apocalypse is coming, their collective beliefs create a strong force in the direction of ending the world as it currently exists precisely because that is what they believe is happening. One could muse about whether or not this process is actually necessary in order to dismantle deeply entrenched mental frameworks that no longer serve humanity under changing circumstances, but the result typically seems to be, at least in the short term, massive chaos and an abundance of ridiculous behavior.
As a collective, humanity dies. There is nothing that can be done about it. Religions try to find ways around it, science coupled with humanism looks for ways to defeat it with technology. So in the big picture, when people are collective in their apocalypse and are crazy and wild, they are starting their end.
An apocalyptic belief is almost a summation of that collective death and each religion has its own teaching or throughout time, some religions and philosophies come into contact with each other and influence one another. The question is, which one not just defeats death and who's central figure has power over it. And of course, to each their own.
Amazing work Dr. Sledge!
Dr. Sledge, your videos are pure gold! You diligently analyze and present history through multiple references and somehow manage to turn "boring" history into engrossing content with a generous helping of hilarity.
It reminds me of when I first became a Freemason. Outside the lodge looked like a group of Xtian straitlaced men in square suits ( So much that I thought I wasn't going to like it) but inside it was all Kabbalah, Gnostic thought and acceptance of all religions. Never judge a book by its color. lol
I’ve been wanting to join, how do i go about doing so?
@@SUSHANDLE Just go to the local Blue Lodge in your town and ask...that easy. If no one is there call. Your local phone book should have the number listed under "Masonic Lodges" or try the net. Next they will meet you at your house and ask you a few questions...like do you have any arrests and if so why. If you're record is clean they will sign you up for the next Entered Apprentice ritual. We are kind of dying out....so we need new people badly. :)
@@pentegarn1 awesome. Thank you
@@pentegarn1 what would be the local blue lodge for Colorado Springs? There’s multiple lodges within the city so I’m not sure which is the right one
@@SUSHANDLE Ahh must be a big area to have that many. lol I'd just pick the one closest to home...or try them all and see who you like the most?
Thank you for your efforts in the dissemination of knowledge.
So informative and hilarious too! You have a gift.
Deepest appreciation to you Dr. Sledge for providing esoteric knowledge in such a comprehensive format. Love the content so far and am always looking forward to more. I really hope to see this channel grow. You are truly doing God's work my friend, much love.
Thanks! I'm a (low rent) Patreon member who loves your Esoterica program. I just wanted to show a little extra monetary appreciation. All your episodes fascinate me and I love learning from you! Long may you run!
many, many thanks!
Thank you for this one. I’ve been able to wrap my head around the mystic Christian learning Kabbalah because it helps internalize the Bible. However, puritans never made sense. This clears up a lot of questions I had. Thanks a lot.
Love your videos man! Would love to see how Grimoires come about and are used in this period of early American occultism. Very happy with this lecture and conversation, solid ass content
Way underrated video views-wise, but it's one of my favourites to date (or at least ask out).
You definetely deserve my financial support...after I pay off my student loans.
The dry humor, subtle inclusion of visual jokes, and snarky captions really set this series apart. Thank you.
This is awesome! It explains a lot!! Thank you so much for your work!!!
So flippin good. Rewatching now
I just subbed you we have some interests in common.
@@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551 bro don't hit on chicks like this that's fucking weak. She gets objectified enough every day dawg, have some tact
@@samuelshepard I didn't hit on her dude I meant we are both Occultist
That was the funniest thread I have read in a while. Thank you.
@@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551 lmaoo
Ezra Stiles Wrote to a friend a in London to help with the translation of the Zohar with original Aramaic and Latin translation, and that friend?
Benjamin *bleeping* Franklin.
Loved this piece.
Much love, and Wisdom!
Truly great, Justin.
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
🏛️🍂🕍🍁🗽
Bro... U R AWESOME! Love your work. This country needs teachers like you.
I bought myself a book on hermes trismegistus for Christmas thanks to you. I'm super excited
Congrats!
Very informative and a great sense of humor lol. I loved it.
I heartily enjoy the excellent wit on the ironies of studies from the virtual Quaker’s guide to Kabbalah and even as far back as Ancient Christian magic and now New World history. It’s fascinating to find sociopolitical mapping of spiritual studies from antiquity to New World religiosity! And the author’s near Melville leanings in his prose! Aside, I wish I still had the personally gifted Book of Mormon I had kindly received as a keepsake. I do hope to recover it. Back to topic, the sociocultural lensing of esoteric studies over time and over seas is always fascinating. The OG Styles.
really enjoy these colonial era videos. there's so much going on all over the place in that time period and it's all very fascinating.
I was introduced to the Zohar by Freemasonry (Ancient and Accepted). It plays part in many lecture and ritual works. I am continuing to seek the Divine in deed and thought. Blessings.
Seeking gets you away from the divine...enjoy.
@@mikewallis2987 seek me and ye shall find me
Always interesting content.
When my finances permit some patronage, I’m gonna. Thanks for the wonderful work!
Same
This was a thoroughly enjoyable, informative and at times quite humorous episode. I love the “reception of the Kabbalah” pun as bad as it may have appeared. Continuing to enjoy your work. Benjamin Franklin…indeed! Thank you. This video also made me want to investigate the history of Judaism and possibly the Kabbalah in the Caribbean. Having recently found evidence of Sephardim in my family in Barbados and Jamaica (eg Delavante), I wonder if that can explain some of my attraction to the subject.
As a radical Calvinist myself, Free Presbyterian church of Scotland, I find this fascinating. I can imagine if the Protestant colonists found someone to be practicing Kabbalah they wouldn't be practicing it for very long. Love this content.
Recovering from Reformed Theology here. Dogmatically held to it for 30 years. Going Orthodox now.
@@charlesheck6812 Orthodox is fine. They understand the problems with popes and works based salvation. I wish all the best brother. Only one head of the church and thats Jesus
Mindblowing. Thank you again Dr.!
This is great content Dr. Sledge. You are extremely knowledgeable about mysticism. I'm really surprised that you aren't a magical practioner. I'm not suggesting that you try it, but if you ever do, you might like it. It works.
Beautiful work thankyou
As a teacher and communicator, I aspire to be able to separate cold, hard facts with my cutting, razor-sharp opinion in the same breath as you do. bravo 👏 😂
question: when you say “colonial theosophy,” would anyone living in those times call it theosophy? my understanding is that HPB essentially used the word to help with branding, but what did that tradition (even lineage maybe?) refer to specifically during that period? much appreciated 🙏
I could be wrong but I think theosophy is essentially a theologically influenced philosophy, or a "philosophy of God" hence 'theo' + 'sophia'
So it could apply to any sect theoretically
Do you mean Helena Blavatsky's Theosophy? I think he was using the term generally as a concept, instead of the proper noun
It sounds to me like, in this context, the term is being used as a modern academic descriptor for intellectual efforts to understand God through the lens of philosophy. Theosophy, divorced from its coining by Blavatsky, is simply a useful combination of Greek root words (a language favored in Western religious studies) for describing that kind of intellectual movement. It seems likely that Blavatsky used this term in a stricter sense than many of her readers came to employ, but I think quite a few of her own diversions left the coverage area of Theosophy as a modern academic concept.
"...imperishable bone in the spine..."? (I must have missed that playlist.) Much thanks for filling in some huge knowledge gaps and opening up other areas of later exploration.
I like the new intro! Is that uranium glass or some kind of video effect?
Excellent video enjoyed it alot.
Considering the diss-track-battle-videos I've been watching recently, I found the inclusion of "the apocalyptic vision of the Mathers" both fitting and disquieting.
Though, I have wondered how devastating a well delivered diss track in Miltonian iambic pentameter with double or treble entendre of literary and/or esoteric import could be.
I did find a lot of the facts given very interesting, but more I find your humor at various points very on point and appropriately sharp. I broke out laughing more than a little a few of those quips.
Great vid. 👍
“Not pictured:
Genocide.”
Lol. Love your work my friend. My favorite Jewish Sensei.
This was great and I love the Eminem picture up there when you said and the Mathers lol
This is just too good! 😲
Definitely checking out the book 📖
Did you ever give a lecture at PantheaCon in San Jose, California? If so, I think I attended that lecture - if not, my apologies I confused you with another awesome scholar on the Kabbalah. :)
Great video and thank you so much, I can't recommend your channel enough, and I do recommend your channel to everyone.
The mind , :) is very important , thank you just found this channel and yes im completely beside myself lol... : well done Sir;
I will be honest I didn't expect the puritans to be the stars of this episode. Quick question, you mentioned in your Kabbalah lectures that the Zohar described the act of creation in very sexual language, how did the puritans interpret that or did they ignore that?
Anyway great episode can't wait for more.
Always a pleasure to watch your channel. Thank you. BTW.... I'll give YOU one guess...Kimmery's.
Is there any chance of you doing a video on the occult during the second great awakening?
Excellent video as always. I was wondering if you will ever cover Jacob Böhme?
Yep!
@@TheEsotericaChannel awesome!! I can’t wait for it!!
There were quite a few Jews in the Bahamas in the 1700's. Their graves are all over the islands. Many Kabbalah practicing Jews were actually pirates as well. Disney's "Captain Jack Sparrow" is based on one from history for example.
Hegel... Yes... That, Hegel😂 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. I love this channel!
Brilliant, unbiased, and blunt research. You're not from here, are you?? 😂
Ok that's it I'm subscribing to the patreon
Hey I love your channel can you talk about the book of jasher there a lot things in there like Moses magic battling the Egyptians
Thanks!
THANKYOU...
The frontispiece to that geneva bible is beautiful
That copy of the Zohar too
Okay all the frontispieces in this are
🙏❣👍❣♦️
This time of year goes so much with the Claire de lune... 💕
Great information on Puritans. Just discovered your channel, so what's your religious point of view?
Great work Dr Sledge!
I shall watch when I return from work
I have returned
@@edwardgarix1432 Welcome back!
Lol. As a Mason, I can appreciate your comments towards the end about anti-Masonic conspiracy theories.
Nice still!
I follow no man. Never have. I believe in the God of the Bible, and in the teachings of Jesus, in the New testament. I find your video interesting. Thank you.
Umm okay...
Does anyone else listen to these while working and hope that the sub conscious absorbs the info, as i get to the end and think hmm what was that about again..
🎧 Podcasts? 🎧
Does this creator have a podcast on Google or can anybody recommend any good Podcasts along this or any other interesting genres?
Any will do.
I'm very open and broad minded.
Many thanks 🙏😉
Mile Higher and Lights out are fun. True crime thru paranormal, aliens, conspiracy theories....
@@annikatheresia7770 thanks so so much 🙏🙏👍👍☺️👌
You might like Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio. If I remember correctly, Dr. Sledge was a guest on one of the episodes and that’s how I found this channel.
@@annelliott1384 thank you so much, I've just added it and it sounds like another good suggestion to broaden my podcast range 😊🙏🙏👍
It is an interesting theory that the tribe of Dan migrated to America, their crest being one of a serpent and America translated as the plumed serpent. But there is also theories they migrated through Spain and to Ireland, with the analogy then being St. Patrick chasing the snakes out of Ireland not being about Paganism itself but more about the tribe of Dan.
deadpan "boy did this idea have legs" - This may be one of the funniest things I've seen online.
Atun-Shei cameo! 😀
yes'm
When I think of Pilgrams in the new World I always think of those hats. Iconic headgear.
But those buckle hats are basically a Victorian invention
❤❤❤
What about Conor MacDari?
Imagine if this was part of our high school education....
I'm late this week.....
seconds late ;)
This video makes me wonder what a crossover with the Townsends channel would look like.
I love their channel - it would be fun to work with them on something!
Is that tree of life upside down, or numbered weird?
Yes
I lost it at 'Benjamin f****** Franklin' *so hard.* 🤣
Side note, honestly not surprised Benjamin Franklin was a go-to for someone for *anything* occult related. Benny Frank was a strange guy for his time, for sure.
You should look into Pow-wow. It’s Dutch immigrant magical practices that have been practiced in underground circles since colonial times to this day.
Yep, I do!
Do you plan on doing some material specifically addressing the modern wave of anti-Freemason sentiments? It's been a point of controversy in my own studies based on what I've learned about characters like Albert Pike and many members of the Grand Lodge in England during the Victorian era (Honestly, it pained me to capitalize that many words in a sentence, especially words I have such distaste for). I've found much wisdom in Masonic teachings, but when I study history, it seems like most of the Freemasons I spot aren't living up to that wisdom to the point that they cause massive destruction through the world rather than building it into a temple like Freemasons seem to be claiming as their goal in the literature. To me, the whole thing smacks of modern political doublespeak to the point that I can sympathize with the suspicions of anti-intellectuals about the workings of Freemasonry even though I'm often a subject of those same anti-intellectual suspicions. If you have some historical context that could help me and others in similar positions untangle that mess, it would be massively appreciated.
Like many major religions and organizations, Freemasonry started off innocently and with noble ideals but as time went on it became successful and decadent.
It is now a shell of its original state and not worth joining.
You're doing this upon the request of Quinsy Borrough. Quinsy thanks you :)
Wait, resurrection from an immortal piece of the spine? This sounds exactly like the common Islamic view of how the resurrection will work, that humans will be regrown from a "seed" sitting at the base of the spine, possibly in the tailbone.
also in Christianity. that is the Christo energy and our material desires and ignorance keep it down
Yes, from the place the Brahmanists call _muladhara._
“Esoterica does Thanksgiving” made me laugh
The apocalypse always come back 🌚
1:14
You have the most idiosyncratic witticisms- it’s quite soulful and like a balm for this miserable era.
wondering if there is some obvious literature to make you so certain that the Native Americans, including those of Central and South America, Canada too, are not a part of a lost tribe? Is the evidence of viking interaction, coupled with many similarities in Hopi native tongue and Celtic language compelling enough to be at a minimum, intellectually worthy of consideration?
love your channel and the topics, your hilarious and detailed, empathetic and a great teacher, so thank you for creating a forum where more questions may be asked and deeper impact can be made between us! much peace!
Hannibal Lecter: "First principles, Clarice: simplicity. Read Marcus Aurelius, "Of each particular thing, ask: "How can I use it in a game of Mage the Ascension?""" - A medieval forgery
Have you ever thought of doing a video on the role of Kabbalah in "Il Pendolo di Foucault" ?
"Muh name is Tzvi, but you can call me Shabby T. I'm the Messiah, baby!"
What?! A woman philosopher?? *clutches pearls*
Who would win: The Sultan of the ENTIRE Ottoman Empire...or one Shabby boi
Benjamin f****n Franklin, you don’t say.
Sounds like Cotton Mather could have been a desk writer for the likes of the Times and The Alphabet News Agencies!
😂
Never let Actual Sources get in the way of Opinionated Personality Based Exposition!
😏