What is Qabalah?

Most people think of Esoteric Judaism when they define Kabbalah: that is Kabbalah with a ‘K’ (and two ‘B’s). Qabalah (with a ‘Q’) is not at all the same thing as Legacy Kabbalah, though somewhat more in agreement with Kabbalah than Kabbalah is with Qabalism. Qabalah with a ‘Q’ is also known as Hermetic Qabalah and is not particularly Judaic (according to the proper Jew). For example, we do not subscribe to an antithetical arch-nemesis. Both schools of Qabalism will honor God, Divine Emanations, and God’s Myrionymous Excellence, but Hermetics are Greco-Egyptian and Metaphysical Qabalah retains elements of Shabd and Tantric Mantra. Judaism does not generally  honor these traditions. Additionally, Judaic Kabbalah is typically Theoretical and Meditative while the Hermeticists are Practicing Qabalists, as well. Lastly, Metaphysical Qabalah will include Cabala (Esoteric Christianity) which Judaic Kabbalists outright reject.

We like to avoid divisiveness between good people of both camps but we need to offer the internet a means to distinguish what we are talking about from it’s tendency to artificially aggregate unfamiliar information.