Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkabah_mysticism

Merkabah mysticism (or Chariot mysticism) is a school of Jewish mysticism centered on visions such as found in Ezekiel chapter 1, or in thehekhalot literature, concerning stories of ascents to the heavenly “palaces.” The main corpus of the Merkabah literature was composed in Israel in the period 200–700CE, although later references to the Chariot tradition can also be found in the literature of Chassidei Ashkenaz in the Middle Ages.[1] A major text in this tradition is the Maaseh Merkabah (Works of the Chariot).[2]

Etymology

The noun merkabah “thing to ride in, cart” is derived from the consonantal root r-k-b with general meaning “to ride”). The word “chariot” is found 44 times in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible– most of them referring to normal chariots on earth[3] and although the concept of the Merkabah is associated with Ezekiel‘s vision (1:4-26), the word isn’t explicitly written in Ezekiel 1.[4]

However, when left untranslated in English the Hebrew term merkabah (Hebrew: מֶרְכַּבְ, מרכבה, and מִרְכֶּבֶת) relates to the throne-chariot of God in prophetic visions. It is most closely associated with the vision in Ezekiel chapter 1 of the four-wheeled vehicle driven by four hayyot (“living creatures“), each of which has four wings[5] and the four faces of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.

Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot

According to the verses in Ezekiel and its attendant commentaries, his vision consists of a chariot made of many heavenly beings driven by the “Likeness of a Man.” Four beings form the basic structure of the chariot. These beings are called the “living creatures” (Hebrew חיות khayyot). The bodies of the creatures are “like that of a human being”, but each of them has four faces, corresponding to the four directions the chariot can go (north, east south and west). The faces are that of a man, a lion, an ox (later changed to a cherub in Ezekiel 10:14) and an eagle. Since there are four angels and each has four faces, there are a total of sixteen faces. Each Chayot angel also has four wings. Two of these wings spread across the length of the chariot and connected with the wings of the angel on the other side. This created a sort of ‘box’ of wings that formed the perimeter of the chariot. With the remaining two wings, each angel covered its own body. Below, but not attached to the feet of the “Chayot” angels are other angels that are shaped like wheels. These wheel angels, which are described as “a wheel inside of a wheel”, are called “Ophanim” אופנים (lit. wheels, cycles or ways). These wheels are not directly under the chariot, but are nearby and along its perimeter. The angel with the face of the man is always on the east side and looks up at the “Likeness of a Man” that drives the chariot. The “Likeness of a Man” sits on a throne made ofsapphire.

The Bible later makes mention of a third type of angel found in the Merkaba called “Seraphim” (lit. “burning”) angels. These angels appear like flashes of fire continuously ascending and descending. These “Seraphim” angels powered the movement of the chariot. In the hierarchy of these angels, “Seraphim” are the highest, that is, closest to God, followed by the “Chayot“, which are followed by the “Ophanim.” The chariot is in a constant state of motion, and the energy behind this movement runs according to this hierarchy. The movement of the “Ophanim” is controlled by the “Living creatures” while the movement of the “Chayot” is controlled by the “Seraphim”. The movement of all the angels of the chariot are controlled by the “Likeness of a Man” on the Throne.

Jewish commentary

The earliest Rabbinic merkabah commentaries were exegetical expositions of the prophetic visions of God in the heavens, and the divine retinue of angels, hosts, and heavenly creatures surrounding God. The earliest evidence suggests that merkabah homiletics did not give rise to ascent experiences – as one rabbinic sage states: “Many have expounded upon the merkabah without ever seeing it.”[6]

One mention of the merkabah in the Talmud notes the importance of the passage: “A great issue—the account of the merkavah; a small issue—the discussions of Abaye and Rava [famous Talmudic sages].”[7] The sages Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai (d. ca. 80 CE) and later, Rabbi Akiva (d. 135) were deeply involved in merkabah exegesis. Rabbi Akiva and his contemporary RabbiIshmael ben Elisha are most often the protagonists of later merkabah ascent literature.

Prohibition against study

The Talmudic interdictions concerning merkabah speculation are numerous and widely held. Discussions concerning the merkabah were limited to only the most worthy sages, and admonitory legends are preserved about the dangers of overzealous speculation concerning the merkabah.

For example, the secret doctrines might not be discussed in public: “Seek not out the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength. But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence; for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.”[8] It must be studied only by exemplary scholars: “Ma’asehBereshit must not be explained before two, nor Ma’aseh Merkabah before one, unless he be wise and understands it by himself,”[9] Further commentary notes that the chapter-headings of Ma’aseh Merkabah may be taught, as was done by R. Ḥiyya. According to Yer. Ḥag. ii. 1, the teacher read the headings of the chapters, after which, subject to the approval of the teacher, the pupil read to the end of the chapter,[10] although Rabbi Zera said that even the chapter-headings might be communicated only to a person who was head of a school and was cautious in temperament.

According to R. Ammi, the secret doctrine might be entrusted only to one who possessed the five qualities enumerated in Isaiah iii. 3 (being experienced in any of five different professions requiring good judgement), and a certain age is, of course, necessary. When R. Johanan wished to initiate R. Eliezer in the Ma’aseh Merkabah, the latter answered, “I am not yet old enough.” A boy who recognized the meaning of (Ezek. i. 4) was consumed by fire (Ḥag. 13b), and the perils connected with the unauthorized discussion of these subjects are often described (Ḥag. ii. 1; Shab. 80b).

Further analysis

Beyond the rabbinic community, Jewish apocalyptists also engaged in visionary exegeses concerning the divine realm and the divine creatures which are remarkably similar to the rabbinic material. A small number of texts unearthed at Qumran indicate that the Dead Sea community also engaged in merkabah exegesis. Recently uncovered Jewish mystical texts also evidence a deep affinity with the rabbinic merkabah homilies.

The merkabah homilies eventually consisted of detailed descriptions of multiple layered heavens (usually seven in number), often guarded over by angels, and encircled by flames and lightning. The highest heaven contains seven palaces (hekhalot), and in the innermost palace resides a supreme divine image (God’s Glory or an angelic image) seated on a throne, surrounded by awesome hosts who sing God’s praise.

When these images were combined with an actual mystical experiential motif of individual ascent (paradoxically called “descent” in most texts) and union is not precisely known. By inference, contemporary historians of Jewish mysticism usually date this development to the third century CE. Again, there is a significant dispute among historians over whether these ascent and unitive themes were the result of some foreign, usually Gnostic, influence, or a natural progression of religious dynamics within rabbinic Judaism.[citation needed]

Maimonides

Maimonides‘ 12th Century work, Guide for the Perplexed is in part intended as an explanation of the passages Ma’aseh Bereshit and Ma’aseh Merkabah. In the third volume, Maimonides commences the exposition of the mystical passage of the mystic doctrines found in the merkavah passages, while justifying this “crossing of the line” from hints to direct instruction. Maimonides explains basic mystical concepts via the Biblical terms referring to Spheres, elements and Intelligences. In these chapters, however, there is still very little in terms of direct explanation.[11]

“We have frequently mentioned in this treatise the principle of our Sages ” not to discuss the Maaseh Mercabhah even in the presence of one pupil, except he be wise and intelligent; and then only the headings of the chapters are to be given to him.” We must, therefore, begin with teaching these subjects according to the capacity of the pupil, and on two conditions, first, that he be wise, i.e., that he should have successfully gone through the preliminary studies, and secondly that he be intelligent, talented, clear-headed, and of quick perception, that is, ” have a mind of his own”, as our Sages termed it.” Guide for the Perplexed, ch.XXXIII

A Hasidic explanation

Hasidic philosophy explains that the Merkaba is a multi-layered analogy that offers insight into the nature of man, the ecosystem, the world and teaches us how to become better people.

The four Chayot angels represent the basic archetypes that God used to create the current nature of the world. Ophanim, which means “ways”, are the ways these archetypes combine to create actual entities that exist in the world. For instance, in the basic elements of the world, the lion represents fire, the ox/earth, the man/water, and the eagle/air. However, in practice, everything in the world is some combination of all four, and the particular combination of each element that exist in each thing are its particular Ophanim or ways. In another example, the four Chayot represent spring, summer, winter and autumn/fall.[citation needed] These four types of weather are the archetypal forms. The Ophanim would be the combination of weather that exists on a particular day, which may be a winter-like day within the summer or a summer like day within the winter.

The Man on the throne represents God, who is controlling everything that goes on in the world, and how all of the archetypes He set up should interact. The Man on the throne, however, can only drive when the four angels connect their wings. This means that God will not be revealed to us by us looking at all four elements (for instance) as separate and independent entities. However, when one looks at the way that earth, wind, fire and water (for instance) which all oppose each other are able to work together and coexist in complete harmony in the world, this shows that there is really a higher power (God) telling these elements how to act.

This very lesson carries over to explain how the four basic groups of animals and the four basic archetypal philosophies and personalities reveal a higher, godly source when one is able to read between the lines and see how these opposing forces can and do interact in harmony. A person should strive to be like a Merkaba, that is to say, he should realize all the different qualities, talents and inclinations he has (his angels). They may seem to contradict, but when one directs his life to a higher goal such as doing God’s will (the man on the chair driving the chariot) he will see how they all can work together and even complement each other. Ultimately, we should strive to realize how all of the forces in the world, though they may seem to conflict, can unite when one knows how to use them all to fulfill a higher purpose; namely to serve God.

Maaseh Merkabah

Main article: Maaseh Merkabah

Maaseh Merkabah (Working of the Chariot) is the modern name given to a hechalot text, discovered by scholar Gershom Scholem.[12] Works of the Chariot dates from late Hellenistic period, after the end of the Second Temple period following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE[dubious – discuss] when the physical cult ceased to function. The idea of making a journey to the heavenly hekhal seems to be a kind of spiritualization of the pilgrimages to the earthly hekhal that were now no longer possible. It is a form of pre-Kabbalah Jewish mysticism that teaches both of the possibility of making a sublime journey to God and of the ability of man to draw down divine powers to earth; it seems to have been an esoteric movement that grew out of the priestly mysticism already evident in the Dead Sea Scrolls and some apocalyptic writings (see the studies by Rachel Elior).[13]

Several movements in Jewish mysticism and, later, students of the Kabbalah have focused on these passages from Ezekiel, seeking underlying meaning and the secrets of Creation in what they argued was the metaphoric language of the verses.

Due to the concern of some Torah scholars that misunderstanding these passages as literal descriptions of God’s image might lead to blasphemy or idolatry, there was great opposition to studying this topic without the proper initiation. Jewish biblical commentaries emphasize that the imagery of the merkaba is not meant to be taken literally; rather the chariot and its accompanying angels are analogies for the various ways that God reveals himself in this world.[14] Hasidic philosophy and kabbalah discuss at length what each aspect of this vision represents in this world, and how the vision does not imply that God is made up of these forms.

Jews customarily read the Biblical passages concerning the merkaba in their synagogues every year on the holiday of Shavuot, and the merkabah is also referenced in several places in traditionalJewish liturgy.

Hekhalot literature

Main article: Hekhalot literature

The main interests of Hekhalot literature are accounts of mystical ascents into heaven, divine visions, and the summoning and control of angels, usually for the purpose of gaining insight intoTorah. The locus classicus for these practices is the biblical accounts of the Chariot vision of Ezekiel and the Temple vision of Isaiah (Chap. 6). It is from these, and from the many extra-canonical apocalyptic writings of heavenly visitations, that hekhalot literature emerges. Still, it is distinctive from both Qumran literature and apocalyptic writings for several reasons, chief among them being that hekhalot literature is not at all interested in eschatology, largely ignores the unique status of the priesthood, has little interest in fallen angels or demonology, and it “democratizes” the possibility of divine ascent.

In their visions, these mystics would enter into the celestial realms and journey through the seven stages of mystical ascent: the Seven Heavens and seven throne rooms. Such a journey is fraught with great danger, and the adept must not only have made elaborate purification preparation, but must also know the proper incantations, seals and angelic names needed to get past the fierce angelic guards, as well as know how to navigate the various forces at work inside and outside the palaces.

At times, heavenly interlocutors will reveal divine secrets. In some texts, the mystic’s interest extends to the heavenly music and liturgy, usually connected with the angelic adorations mentioned in Isiah 6:3. The mantra-like repetitive nature of the liturgies recorded in many of these compositions seems meant to encourage further ascent. The ultimate goal of the ascent varies from text to text. In some cases, it seems to be a visionary glimpse of God, to “Behold the King in His Beauty.” Others hint at “enthronement,” that the adept be accepted among the angelic retinue of God and be given an honored (god-like?) seat. One text actually envisions the successful pilgrim getting to sit in God’s “lap.” Scholars such as Peter Schaefer and Elliot Wolfson see an erotic theology implied in this kind of image, though it must be said sexual motifs, while present in highly attenuated forms, are few and far between if one surveys the full scope of the literature.

Literary works related to the Hekhalot tradition that have survived in whole or in part include Hekhalot Rabbati (or Pirkei Hekhalot), Hekhalot Zutarti, 3rd Enoch (also known as “Hebrew Enoch”), and Maaseh Merkabah. In addition there are many smaller and fragmentary manuscripts that seem to belong to this genre, but their exact relationship to Maaseh Merkabah mysticism and to each other is often not clear (Dennis, 2007, 199-120).

Key texts

The ascent texts are extant in four principal works, all redacted well after the third but certainly before the ninth century CE. They are: 1) Hekhalot Zutartey (“The Lesser Palaces”), which details an ascent of Rabbi Akiva; 2) Hekhalot Rabbati (“The Greater Palaces”), which details an ascent of Rabbi Ishmael; 3) Ma’aseh Merkabah (“Account of the Chariot”), a collection of hymns recited by the “descenders” and heard during their ascent; and 4) Sepher Hekhalot (“Book of Palaces,” also known as 3 Enoch), which recounts an ascent and divine transformation of the biblical figure Enoch into the archangel Metatron, as related by Rabbi Ishmael.

A fifth work provides a detailed description of the Creator as seen by the “descenders” at the climax of their ascent. This work, preserved in various forms, is called Shi’ur Qomah (“Measurement of the Body”), and is rooted in a mystical exegesis of the Song of Songs, a book reputedly venerated by Rabbi Akiva. The literal message of the work was repulsive to those who maintained God’s incorporeality; Maimonides (d. 1204) wrote that the book should be erased and all mention of its existence deleted.

While throughout the era of merkabah mysticism the problem of creation was not of paramount importance, the treatise Sefer Yetzirah (“Book of Creation”) represents an attempted cosmogonyfrom within a merkabah milieu. This text was probably composed during the seventh century, and evidence suggests Neoplatonic, Pythagoric, and Stoic influences. It features a linguistic theory of creation in which God creates the universe by combining the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, along with emanations represented by the ten numerals, or sefirot.

Heikhalot literature and “Four Entered Pardes”

Main article: Pardes (legend)

Moshe Idel, Gershom Scholem, Joseph Dan, and others have raised the natural question concerning the relationship between the “chambers” portion of the Heichalot literature and the Bavli’s treatment of “The Work of the Chariot” in the presentation and analysis of such in the Gemara to tractate Hagigah of the Mishna. This portion of the Babylonian Talmud, which includes the famous “four entered pardes” material, runs from 12b-iv (wherein the Gemara’s treatment of the “Work of Creation” flows into and becomes its treatment of “The Work of the Chariot”) to and into 16a-i. [All references are to the Art Scroll pagination.]

By making use of the Rabbinically paradigmatic figures of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Ishmael in their writings, the generators of the Heikhalot literature, quite arguably, seem to be attempting to show some sort of connection between their writings and the Chariot/Throne study and practice of the Rabbinic Movement in the decades immediately following upon the destruction of the Temple. However, in both the Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud the major players in this Chariot/Throne endeavor are, clearly, Rabbi Akiva and Elisha ben Abuyah who is referred to as “Akher.” Neither Talmud presents Rabbi Ishmael as a player in Merkabah study and practice.

In the long study on these matters contained in ” ‘The Written’ as the Vocation of Conceiving Jewishly” [McGinley, J W; 2006] the hypothesis is offered and defended that “Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha” (more often, simply “Rabbi Ishmael”) is in fact a Rabbinically sanctioned cognomen for Elisha ben Abuyah who, as is well known, apostatized from the Rabbinic Movement. The argument is that through this indirection Rabbinic offialdom was able to integrate into the Gemaric give and take of argumentation and analysis the huge body of halakhic and hermeneutical teachings of this great Torah scholar without, however, honoring his equally significant apostasy. To be sure, in the accounting of this figure’s mystical study and practice the pejorative (in context) “Akher” is used instead of “Rabbi Ishmael.” This is because Elisha ben Abuyah’s teachings under the heading of “The Work of the Chariot” came to be considered heretical in contrast to his halakhic and hermeneutical teachings which were generally admired—and whose weighty influence, in any case, could not be ignored. All of this indicates that the generators of the Heikhalot literature were indeed savvy in choosing “Rabbi Ishmael” as paradigmatic in their own writings as a means of relating their own endeavors to the mystical study and practices of the tannaim in the early decades following upon the destruction of the Temple.

Both Akiva and the “Ishmaelic Akher” traded upon the “two-thrones”/”two-powers”-in-Heaven motif in their respective Merkabah-oriented undertakings. Akiva’s version is memorialized in the Bavli Gemara to tractate Hagigah at 14a-ii wherein Akiva puts forth the pairing of Hashem and “David” in a messianic version of that mystical motif. Immediately after this Akivian “solution” to the puzzle of thrones referred to in Song of Songs and the two thrones spoken of in Daniel, Chapter Seven, the text presents Akiva as being pressured—and then acquiescing to—a domesticated version of this twoness theme for the single Jewish God which would be acceptable to Rabbinic officialdom. The text offers Justice [din] and Charity [tsadaqqa] as the middot of God which are enthroned in Heaven. [Again, 14a-ii] Akher’s non-Messianic and Metatron-oriented version of this “two-thrones”/”two-powers”-in-Heaven motif is discussed at length in the entry “Paradigmatia” of the above-mentioned study. The generic point in all of this is that by the time of the final editing of the Mishna this whole motif (along with other dimensions of Merkabah-oriented study and practice) came to be severely discouraged by Rabbinic officialdom. Those who still pursued these kinds of things were marginalized by the Rabbinic Movement over the next several centuries becoming, in effect, a separate grouping responsible for the Heikhalot literature.

In the “four-entered-pardes” section of this portion of the Bavli Gemara on tractate Hagigah, it is the figure of Akiva who seems to be lionized. For of the four he is the only one presented who ascended and descended “whole.” The other three were broken, one way or another: Ben Azzai dies soon after; Ben Zoma is presented as going insane; and worst of all, “Akher” apostatizes. This putative lionization of Rabbi Akiva occurs at 15b-vi-16a-i of our Gemara section

Christianity

According to Timo Eskola, early Christian theology and discourse was influenced by the Jewish Merkabah tradition.[15] Similarly, Alan Segal and Daniel Boyarin regard Paul’s accounts of his conversion experience and his ascent to the heavens as the earliest first person accounts we have of a Merkabah mystic in Jewish or Christian literature. Conversely, Timothy Churchill has argued that Paul’s Damascus road encounter does not fit the pattern of Merkabah.[16]

In Christianity, the man, lion, ox, and eagle are used as symbols for the four evangelists (or gospel-writers)[citation needed], and appear frequently in church decorations. These Creatures are called Zoë (or the Tetramorph), and surround the throne of God in Heaven, along with twenty-four elders and seven spirits of God (according to Revelation 4:1-11).

  1. ^ From apocalypticism to Merkabah mysticism: studies in the Slavonic … – Page 224 Andrei A. Orlov – 2007 “However, as Gruenwald notes, the main corpus of the Merkabah literature was composed in Israel in the period 200–700CE. Some references to this tradition can be found also in the literature of German Hasidim (twelfth to thirteenth “
  2. ^ Neusner on Judaism: Literature – Page 74 Jacob Neusner – 2005 “When Eleazar finished the Works of the Chariot, Yohanan stood and kissed him on his head and said, Blessed is the Lord, God of Abraham. Jacob who gave to Abraham a son wise and knowing how to expound the glory of our father in heaven.”
  3. ^ Brown; Driver; Briggs; Gesenius (1988). “Hebrew Lexicon entry for Merkabah”. The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  4. ^ Ezekiel 1 (JPS Hebrew/English)
  5. ^ Six wings in Isaiah’s and John’s visions (Isaiah 6:2 and Revelation 4:8)
  6. ^ Tosefta‘ Megillah 3[4]:28.
  7. ^ See Idel, Moshe. “Merkavah mysticism in Rabbinic Literature.”. Retrieved 2007-10-16., citing Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 28a.
  8. ^ Sirach (iii. 21-22)
  9. ^ Hag. ii. 1
  10. ^ Ḥag. 13a
  11. ^ see section on Guide for the Perplexed: book 3
  12. ^ The encyclopedia of Jewish myth, magic and mysticism Geoffrey W. Dennis – 2007 Ma’aseh Merkavah: “Working of the Chariot.” The modern name given to a Hechalot text, discovered by scholar Gershom … Ma’asei-Bereshit: “The Workings of Creation.” Starting in antiquity, Jewish disciples of the esoteric have engaged …
  13. ^ Elior, Rachel, Heikhalot Literature and Merkavah Tradition Ancient Jewish Mysticism and its Sources, Tel Aviv: Yediot Ahronot; Sifrei Hemed: 2004 (Hebrew).
  14. ^ Maimonides, in his “Thirteen Principles of Faith,” emphasizes that God is not limited to any particular form, as this prophesy might seem to imply.
  15. ^ Timo Eskola. Messiah and the Throne: Jewish Merkabah Mysticism and Early Exaltation Discourse Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2001.
  16. ^ Churchill, Timothy W. R. “Divine Initiative and the Christology of the Damascus Road Encounter”, Eugene: Pickwick, 2010.

Sources

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:  Jewish Encyclopedia. 1901–1906.

Source: The Gnostic Society Library http://www.gnosis.org/library/dtc.htm

The Divine Throne-Chariot

Introduction by Geza Vermes

The Divine Throne-Chariot draws its inspiration from Ezekiel (1:10) and is related to the Book of Revelation (4). It depicts the appearance and movement of the Merkabah, the divine Chariot supported and drawn by the cherubim, which is at the same time a throne and a vehicle. The “small voice” of blessing is drawn from 1Kings 19:12: it was in a “still small voice” that God manifested himself to Elijah. In our Qumran text this voice is uttered by the cherubim and it is interesting to note that although the Bible does not define the source of the voice, the ancient Aramaic translation of 1Kings (Targum of Jonathan) ascribes it to angelic beings called “they who bless silently.” The Throne-Chariot was a central subject of meditation in ancient as well as in medieval Jewish esotericism and mysticism, but the guardians of Rabbinic orthodoxy tended to discourage such speculation. The liturgical use of Ezekiel’s chapter on the Chariot is expressly forbidden in the Mishnah; it even lays down that no wise man is to share his understanding of the Merkabah with a person less enlightened than himself. As a result, there is very little ancient literary material extant on the subject, and the Qumran text is therefore of great importance to the study of the origins of Jewish mysticism.

— Excerpt from: The Other Bible, ed. Willis Barnstone (Harper & Row, 1985), p. 705.

The Divine Throne-Chariot

…The ministers of the Glorious Face in the abode of the gods of  knowledge fall down before him, and the cherubim utter blessings. And as they rise up , there is a divine small voice and loud praise ; there is a divine small voice as they fold their wings.

The cherubim bless the image of the Throne-Chariot above the firmament, and they praise the majesty of the fiery firmament beneath the seat of his glory. And between the turning wheels, angels of holiness come and go, as it were a fiery vision of most holy spirits; and about them flow seeming rivulets of fire, like gleaming bronze, a radiance of many gorgeous colors, of marvelous pigments magnificiently mingled.

The Spirits of the Living God move perpetually with the glory of the wonderful Chariot. The small voice of blessing accompanies the tumult as they depart, and on the path of their return they worship the Holy One, Ascending they rise marvelously; settling, they stay still. The sound of joyful praise is silenced and there is a small voice of blessing in all the camp of God.

And a voice of praise resounds from the midsts of all their divisions in worship. And each one in his place, all their numbered ones sing hymns of praise.