This article lists figures in

Kabbalah Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and Jewish theology, school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "rece ...

according to historical chronology and schools of thought. In popular reference, Kabbalah has been used to refer to the whole history of

Jewish mysticism Academic study of Jewish mysticism, especially since Gershom Scholem's ''Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism'' (1941), distinguishes between different forms of mysticism across different eras of Jewish history. Of these, Kabbalah, which emerged in ...

, but more accurately, and as used in academic

Jewish studies Jewish studies (or Judaic studies; he, מדעי היהדות, madey ha-yahadut, sciences of Judaism) is an academic discipline centered on the study of Jews and Judaism. Jewish studies is interdisciplinary and combines aspects of history (e ...

, Kabbalah refers to the doctrines, practices and

esoteric Western esotericism, also known as esotericism, esoterism, and sometimes the Western mystery tradition, is a term scholars use to categorise a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements that developed within Western society. These ideas ...

exegetical method in

Torah The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the ...

, that emerged in 12th-13th century Southern France and Spain, and was developed further in 16th century Ottoman Palestine. These formed the basis of subsequent Jewish mystical development. This is a partial list of Jewish Kabbalists; secondary literature incorporating Kabbalah is enormous, particularly in the voluminous library of

Hasidic Judaism Hasidism, sometimes spelled Chassidism, and also known as Hasidic Judaism ( Ashkenazi Hebrew: חסידות ''Ḥăsīdus'', ; originally, "piety"), is a Jewish religious group that arose as a spiritual revival movement in the territory of cont ...

that turned esoteric Kabbalah into a popular revivalist movement. Hasidism both adapted Kabbalah to its own internalised psychological concern, and also continued the development of the Jewish mystical tradition. Therefore, only formative articulators of

Hasidic thought Hasidic philosophy or Hasidism ( he, חסידות), alternatively transliterated as Hasidut or Chassidus, consists of the teachings of the Hasidic movement, which are the teachings of the Hasidic ''rebbes'', often in the form of commentary on the ...

, or particularly Kabbalistic schools/authors in Hasidism are included here. In the

Sabbatean The Sabbateans (or Sabbatians) were a variety of Jewish followers, disciples, and believers in Sabbatai Zevi (1626–1676), a Sephardic Jewish rabbi and Kabbalist who was proclaimed to be the Jewish Messiah in 1666 by Nathan of Gaza. Vast ...

mystical heresy that broke away from Judaism, only the founders are listed. Solely academic-university

researchers of Jewish mysticism, not being "Kabbalists", nor necessarily Jewish, are not listed here; nor are separate non-Jewish derivative/syncretic traditions of Kabbalah. Rabbinic figures in Judaism are often known after the name of their magnum opus, or as Hebrew acronyms based on their name, preceded by R for

Rabbi A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as '' semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form o ...

Rav ''Rav'' (or ''Rab,'' Modern Hebrew: ) is the Hebrew generic term for a person who teaches Torah; a Jewish spiritual guide; or a rabbi. For example, Pirkei Avot (1:6) states that: The term ''rav'' is also Hebrew for ''rabbi''. (For a more nuan ...

Early Jewish mysticism

Talmudic The Talmud (; he, , Talmūḏ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law ('' halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the ce ...

tannaic sages: ''Maaseh

Merkabah Merkabah ( he, מֶרְכָּבָה ''merkāvā'', "chariot") or Merkavah mysticism (lit. Chariot mysticism) is a school of early Jewish mysticism, c. 100 BCE – 1000 CE, centered on visions such as those found in the Book of Ezekiel chapter ...

'' (mystical Chariot)-''Maaseh Bereishit'' (mystical Creation) (1st-2nd centuries). ''Yordei Merkabah'' (Chariot Riders)-'' Heikhalot'' (Palaces) mysticism (1st-11th centuries). Early-Formative texts are variously

Traditional A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or ...

/Attributed/Anonymous/

Pseudepigraph Pseudepigrapha (also anglicized as "pseudepigraph" or "pseudepigraphs") are falsely attributed works, texts whose claimed author is not the true author, or a work whose real author attributed it to a figure of the past.Bauckham, Richard; "Pseu ...

ical: *

Nehunya ben HaKanah Nehunya ben HaKanah ( he, נחוניה בן הקנה) was a tanna of the 1st and 2nd centuries. It appears from Bava Batra 10b that Nehunya was a contemporary, but not a pupil, of Johanan ben Zakai. He was the teacher of Ishmael ben Elisha. Nehun ...

Traditional attribution of the ''

Bahir ''Bahir'' or ''Sefer HaBahir'' ( he, סֵפֶר הַבָּהִיר, ; "Book of Clarity" or "Book of Illumination") is an anonymous mystical work, attributed to a 1st-century rabbinic sage Nehunya ben HaKanah (a contemporary of Yochanan ben Zaka ...

''. 1st century * Four Who Entered the Pardes (including

Rabbi Akiva Akiva ben Yosef (Mishnaic Hebrew: ''ʿĂqīvāʾ ben Yōsēf''; – 28 September 135 CE), also known as Rabbi Akiva (), was a leading Jewish scholar and sage, a '' tanna'' of the latter part of the first century and the beginning of the second c ...

c. 40–137 CE) *

Simeon bar Yochai Shimon bar Yochai ( Zoharic Aramaic: שמעון בר יוחאי, ''Shim'on bar Yoḥai'') or Shimon ben Yochai ( Mishnaic Hebrew: שמעון בן יוחאי, ''Shim'on ben Yoḥai''), also known by the acronym Rashbi, was a 2nd-century '' tannai ...

(RaSHBI) Protagonist of the ''

Zohar The ''Zohar'' ( he, , ''Zōhar'', lit. "Splendor" or "Radiance") is a foundational work in the literature of Jewish mystical thought known as Kabbalah. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah (the five ...

'' 1st-2nd centuries

Hasidei Ashkenaz The Hasidim of Ashkenaz ( he, חסידי אשכנז, trans. ''Khasidei Ashkenaz''; "German Pietists") were a Jewish mystical, ascetic movement in the German Rhineland during the 12th and 13th centuries. Background The leaders of the community o ...

(1150-1250 German Pietists). Mystical conceptions influenced Medieval Kabbalah: *

Samuel of Speyer Samuel ben Kalonymus he-Hasid of Speyer (1120-1175) ( he, שמואל החסיד), was a Tosafist, liturgical poet, and philosopher of the 12th century, surnamed also "the Prophet" (Solomon Luria, ResponsaNo. 29. He seems to have lived in Spain and i ...

(Shmuel HaHasid) 12th century *

Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg (1150 – 22 February 1217), also called Yehuda HeHasid or 'Judah the Pious' in Hebrew, was a leader of the Chassidei Ashkenaz, a movement of Jewish mysticism in Germany considered different from the 18th-century H ...

(Yehudah HaHasid) 1140–1217 *

Eleazar of Worms Eleazar of Worms (אלעזר מוורמייזא - also מגרמייזא of Garmiza or Garmisa) (c. 1176–1238), or Eleazar ben Judah ben Kalonymus, also sometimes known today as Eleazar Rokeach ("Eleazar the Perfumer" אלעזר רקח) from ...

(Eleazar Rokeach) c. 1176–1238

Medieval emergence and development of Kabbalah (12th-15th centuries)

Provence Provence (, , , , ; oc, Provença or ''Prouvènço'' , ) is a geographical region and historical province of southeastern France, which extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bo ...

circle (Southern France -

and

Languedoc The Province of Languedoc (; , ; oc, Lengadòc ) is a former province of France. Most of its territory is now contained in the modern-day region of Occitanie in Southern France. Its capital city was Toulouse. It had an area of approximately ...

12th-13th centuries): * Abraham ben Isaac of Narbonne (RAVaD II) c. 1110–1179 *

Abraham ben David Abraham ben David ( – 27 November 1198), also known by the abbreviation RABaD (for ''Rabbeinu'' Abraham ben David) Ravad or RABaD III, was a Provençal rabbi, a great commentator on the Talmud The Talmud (; he, , Talmūḏ) is the central ...

of Posquières ( RABaD/RAVaD III) 1125–1198 *

Isaac the Blind Isaac the Blind ( he, רַבִּי יִצְחַק סַגִּי נְהוֹר ''Rabbī Yīṣḥaq Saggī Nəhōr'', literally "Rabbi Isaac, blind person"; c. 1160–1235 in Provence, France), was a French rabbi and a famous writer on Kabbalah (J ...

(Yitzhak Sagi Nehor) Neoplatonic approach c. 1160–1235

Catalonia Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a '' nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy. Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the no ...

Girona Girona (officially and in Catalan , Spanish: ''Gerona'' ) is a city in northern Catalonia, Spain, at the confluence of the Ter, Onyar, Galligants, and Güell rivers. The city had an official population of 103,369 in 2020. Girona is the capit ...

circle (North-East

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

13th century): * Ezra ben Solomon *

Azriel of Gerona Azriel ibn Menahem ibn Ibrahim al-Tarās (Arabic: عزريل بن مناحيم بن ابراهيم التاراس ''Azrēyl bin Mināḥīm ben Ibrāhim āl-Tārās''; Hebrew: עזריאל בן מנחם בן אברהם אלתראס ''ʿÁzrīyʾēl ...

Synthesised Gnostic and Neoplatonic elements c. 1160–1238 *

Nachmanides Moses ben Nachman ( he, מֹשֶׁה בֶּן־נָחְמָן ''Mōše ben-Nāḥmān'', "Moses son of Nachman"; 1194–1270), commonly known as Nachmanides (; el, Ναχμανίδης ''Nakhmanídēs''), and also referred to by the acronym Ra ...

(Moses ben Nahman, RaMBaN) Introduced Kabbalah in classic

Bible commentary Exegesis ( ; from the Greek , from , "to lead out") is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text. The term is traditionally applied to the interpretation of Biblical works. In modern usage, exegesis can involve critical interpretations ...

1194–1270 * Jacob ben Sheshet * Meshullam ben Solomon Da Piera Castile circle (Northern

13th century). Developed Demonic/Gnostic theory: * Jacob HaKohen * Isaac HaKohen Author of '' Treatise on the Left Emanation'' *

Todros ben Joseph Abulafia Todros ben Joseph Abulafia (, 1225 – c. 1285) ( he, טודרוס בן יוסף אבולעפא) was a nephew of Meir Abulafia and Chief Rabbi of Castile. Born in Burgos, Spain to a prominent rabbinical family, he moved to Castile and was welcom ...

c. 1225–1285 * Moses of Burgos Ecstatic/Prophetic-Meditative Kabbalah (13th century): *

Abraham Abulafia Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia ( he, אברהם בן שמואל אבולעפיה) was the founder of the school of "Prophetic Kabbalah". He was born in Zaragoza, Spain in 1240 and is assumed to have died sometime after 1291, following a stay on the ...

Spain, Italy, Malta. 1240-after 1291 Publication of the

(1280s–90s Northern Spain): *

Moses de León Moses de León (c. 1240 – 1305), known in Hebrew as Moshe ben Shem-Tov (), was a Spanish rabbi and Kabbalist who first publicized the Zohar. Modern scholars believe the Zohar is his own work, despite his claim that he took traditions goin ...

c. 1250–1305 13th century Kabbalistic commentary: *

Abraham ben Isaac of Granada Abraham ben Isaac of Granada also Abraham Merimon was a Kabbalist of the thirteenth century. Works Abraham wrote: *A work on the Kabbala, under the title of ''Sefer ha-Berit.'' This is quoted by Moses Botarel in the introduction to his comment ...

Southern Spain 13th century *

Joseph Gikatilla Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla (1248 – after 1305) ( he, יוסף בן אברהם ג'יקטיליה, es, Chiquitilla, "the very little one") was a Spanish kabbalist, student of Abraham Abulafia. Biography Born at Medinaceli, Old Castile, ...

Prolific writings, including ''Shaarei Orah''. Spain 1248–after 1305 *

Menahem Recanati Menahem ben Benjamin Recanati ( he, מנחם בן בנימין ריקנטי; 1223–1290) was an Italian rabbi who was born and died in the city of Recanati, who devoted the chief part of his writings to the Kabbalah. Works In addition to the ...

Only Italian of his time writing mainly Kabbalah 1250–1310 14th-15th centuries saw a slowing continuation in Kabbalistic commentary: * Isaac of Acco Pupil of Nahmanides. Israel and Spain 13th-14th century *

Bahya ben Asher Bahya ben Asher ibn Halawa (, 1255–1340) was a rabbi and scholar of Judaism, best known as a commentator on the Hebrew Bible. He is one of two scholars now referred to as Rabbeinu Behaye, the other being philosopher Bahya ibn Paquda. Biog ...

(Rabbeinu Behaye) Kabbalistic classic commentary on the Torah. Spain d. 1340

Fusional influences (15th-17th centuries)

Influence of Medieval Jewish

rationalism In philosophy, rationalism is the epistemological view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge" or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification".Lacey, A.R. (1996), ''A Dictionary of Philosophy' ...

in Spain declined, culminating with the expulsion. Jewish fusions of Philosophy and Kabbalah were shared by wider non-Jewish

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ide ...

trends (not listed here): *

Abraham Cohen de Herrera Abraham Cohen de Herrera ( he, רבי אברהם כהן בן דוד דה-הירירה), also known as Alonso Nunez de Herrera or Abraham Irira (c. 1570 – c. 1635), was a religious philosopher and cabbalist (a student of Israel Sarug, who was on ...

Fusion of Philosophy and Kabbalah. Spain and elsewhere c. 1570–1635

16th century Kabbalistic renaissance

Emigrees, some from

, some founding new centre of

Safed Safed (known in Hebrew as Tzfat; Sephardic Hebrew & Modern Hebrew: צְפַת ''Tsfat'', Ashkenazi Hebrew: ''Tzfas'', Biblical Hebrew: ''Ṣǝp̄aṯ''; ar, صفد, ''Ṣafad''), is a city in the Northern District of Israel. Located at an elev ...

in Ottoman Palestine: *

Meir ibn Gabbai Meir ben Ezekiel ibn Gabbai ( he, מאיר בן יחזקאל אבן גבאי) was a Kabbalist born in Spain toward the end of 1480, and living probably in the East. He complained in his twenty-seventh year that he had to work hard to support him ...

Spain to the East. Early organizer. Kabbalistic response to Philosophy-Rationalism b.1480 *

Joseph Karo Joseph ben Ephraim Karo, also spelled Yosef Caro, or Qaro ( he, יוסף קארו; 1488 – March 24, 1575, 13 Nisan 5335 A.M.), was the author of the last great codification of Jewish law, the '' Beit Yosef'', and its popular analogue, the ''Shu ...

(Beit Yoseph) Central legalist and mystical diary. Spain to Safed 1488–1575 *

Shlomo Alkabetz Shlomo ha-Levi Alkabetz, also spelt Alqabitz, Alqabes; ( he, שלמה אלקבץ) ( 1500 – 1576) was a rabbi, kabbalist and poet perhaps best known for his composition of the song ''Lecha Dodi''. Biography Alkabetz studied Torah under Rabb ...

Greece to Safed c. 1500–1580 *

Moshe Alshich Moshe Alshich he, משה אלשיך, also spelled Alshech, (1508–1593), known as the ''Alshich Hakadosh (the Holy)'', was a prominent rabbi, preacher, and biblical commentator in the latter part of the sixteenth century. The Alshich was born ...

(Alshich Hakadosh) Turkey to Safed. Kabbalistic classic

1508–1593 Cordoverian school. Rationally-influenced systemisation of preceding Kabbalah: *

Moses ben Jacob Cordovero Moses ben Jacob Cordovero ( he, משה קורדובירו ''Moshe Kordovero'' ‎; 1522–1570) was a central figure in the historical development of Kabbalah, leader of a mystical school in 16th-century Safed, Ottoman Syria. He is known by th ...

(RaMaK) Taught in Safed. Author of ''

Pardes Rimonim Pardes Rimonim (meaning " Pardes-Orchard of Pomegranates", sometimes known as the Pardes) is a primary text of Kabbalah, composed in 1548 by the Jewish mystic Moses ben Jacob Cordovero in Safed, Galilee. 16th century Safed saw the theoretical syst ...

'' 1522–1570

Lurianic Isaac ben Solomon Luria Ashkenazi (1534 Fine 2003, p24/ref> – July 25, 1572) ( he, יִצְחָק בן שלמה לוּרְיָא אשכנזי ''Yitzhak Ben Sh'lomo Lurya Ashkenazi''), commonly known in Jewish religious circles as "Ha'ARI" (mea ...

school. New mythological systemisation of Kabbalah. Basis of modern Kabbalah. ''Kitvei HaAri-Writings of the Ari'' written by disciples: *

Isaac Luria Isaac ben Solomon Luria Ashkenazi (1534Fine 2003, p24/ref> – July 25, 1572) ( he, יִצְחָק בן שלמה לוּרְיָא אשכנזי ''Yitzhak Ben Sh'lomo Lurya Ashkenazi''), commonly known in Jewish religious circles as "Ha'ARI" (mean ...

(HaARI-zal) Taught in Safed. 1534–1572 *

Hayim Vital Hayyim ben Joseph Vital ( he, רָבִּי חַיִּים בֶּן יוֹסֵף וִיטָאל; Safed, October 23, 1542 (Julian calendar) and October 11, 1542 (Gregorian Calendar) – Damascus, 23 April 1620) was a rabbi in Safed and the foremo ...

Italy, Safed, Syria. Foremost disciple of Luria. Author of '' Etz Hayim'' 1543–1620 *

Israel Sarug Israel Sarug Ashkenazi (also "Saruk" or "Srugo") (16th century; 1590–1610) was a pupil of Isaac Luria, and devoted himself at the death of his master to the propagation of the latter's Kabbalistic system, for which he gained many adherents in v ...

Spread Lurianism in Europe 1500s–1610 Safed dissemination: *

Eliyahu de Vidas Eliyahu de Vidas (1518–1587, Hebron) was a 16th-century rabbi in Ottoman Palestine. He was primarily a disciple of Rabbis Moses ben Jacob Cordovero (known as the ''Ramak'') and also Isaac Luria.Fine 2003, pp81 "Cordovero was the teacher of wh ...

Ottoman Palestine. Author of '' Reshit Chochmah'' Kabbalistic-

Ethical Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior".''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concerns ma ...

work 1518–1592

16th-19th century Kabbalistic commentary

Central European Kabbalist Rabbis: *

Judah Loew ben Bezalel Judah Loew ben Bezalel (; between 1512 and 1526 – 17 September 1609), also known as Rabbi Loew ( Löw, Loewe, Löwe or Levai), the Maharal of Prague (), or simply the Maharal (the Hebrew acronym of "''Moreinu ha-Rav Loew''", 'Our Teacher, Rabbi ...

(MaHaRal) Mystical Jewish thought in philosophical style. Prague c. 1520–1609 *

Isaiah Horowitz Isaiah or Yeshayahu ben Avraham Ha-Levi Horowitz ( he, ישעיה בן אברהם הלוי הורוויץ), (c. 1555 – March 24, 1630), also known as the ''Shelah HaKaddosh'' ( "the holy ''Shelah''") after the title of his best-known work, was ...

(SheLaH haKadosh, author of ''Shnei Luchot HaBrit'') Prague to Palestine c. 1565–1630 *

Jonathan Eybeschutz Rav Yonatan Eybeschütz (רבי יהונתן אייבשיץ) (also Eibeschutz or Eibeschitz; 1690 1764) was a Talmudist, Halachist, Kabbalist, holding positions as Dayan of Prague, and later as Rabbi of the "Three Communities": Altona, Hambur ...

Central Europe. Protagonist in Emden-Eybeschutz mysticism controversy 1690–1764 *

Nathan Adler Nathan Adler (1741–1800) was a German kabbalist and Rosh yeshiva. He was responsible for training several prominent rabbis of the era. Biography He was born in Frankfurt, December 16, 1741. As a precocious child he won the admiration of Chai ...

Germany 1741–1800 Italian Kabbalists: * Moshe Haim Luzzatto (RaMHaL) Kabbalistic dissemination and cultural works. Italy, Holland, Israel 1707–1746 *

Elijah Benamozegh Elijah Benamozegh, sometimes Elia or Eliyahu, (born 1823; died 6 February 1900) was an Italian Sephardic Orthodox rabbi and renowned Kabbalist, highly respected in his day as one of Italy's most eminent Jewish scholars. He served for half a cent ...

Universalist interpretation of Kabbalah. Italian Rabbi and scholar 1822–1900

Sephardi Sephardic (or Sephardi) Jews (, ; lad, Djudíos Sefardíes), also ''Sepharadim'' , Modern Hebrew: ''Sfaradim'', Tiberian: Səp̄āraddîm, also , ''Ye'hude Sepharad'', lit. "The Jews of Spain", es, Judíos sefardíes (or ), pt, Judeus sefa ...

- Mizrachi (Oriental) Kabbalah: * Abraham Azulai Author of ''Chesed le-Abraham''. Morocco to Israel c. 1570–1643 *

Haim ibn Attar Chaim ibn Attar or Ḥayyim ben Moshe ibn Attar ( ar, حاييم بن موشي بن عطار, he, חיים בן משה בן עטר; b. - 7 July 1743) also known as the Or ha-Ḥayyim after his popular commentary on the Torah, was a Talmudist ...

(''Ohr ha-Haim'' classic Torah commentary) Morocco to Israel 1696–1743 * Shalom Sharabi (RaShaSh) Yemen to Israel. Esoteric clarifier of Luria and Bet El Synagogue head 1720–1777 * Haim Joseph David Azulai (HIDA) Bibliophile and Israel Rabbinic emissary 1724–1806 *

Ben Ish Hai Yosef Hayim (1 September 1835 – 30 August 1909) ( Iraqi Hebrew: Yoseph Ḥayyim; he, יוסף חיים מבגדאד) was a leading Baghdadi ''hakham'' (Sephardi rabbi), authority on ''halakha'' (Jewish law), and Master Kabbalist. He is best ...

(Yosef Hayyim) Sephardi Hakham in Iraq 1832–1909

mystical heresy (founders only): *

Sabbatai Zevi Sabbatai Zevi (; August 1, 1626 – c. September 17, 1676), also spelled Shabbetai Ẓevi, Shabbeṯāy Ṣeḇī, Shabsai Tzvi, Sabbatai Zvi, and ''Sabetay Sevi'' in Turkish, was a Jewish mystic and ordained rabbi from Smyrna (now İzmir, Turk ...

Messianic claimant. Founder of Sabbatean break with Judaism. Ottoman Empire 1626–1676 *

Nathan of Gaza Nathan of Gaza ( he, נתן העזתי; 1643–1680) or Nathan Benjamin ben Elisha Hayyim haLevi Ashkenazi or Ghazzati) was a theologian and author born in Jerusalem. After his marriage in 1663 he moved to Gaza, where he became famous as a prophe ...

Prophet of Sabbatai Zevi. Israel and Ottoman Empire 1643–1680 Eastern European Baal Shem/ Nistarim and other mystical circles: * Elijah Baal Shem of Chelm First to be given Baal Shem title. Poland 1550–1583 * Elijah Baal Shem of Worms. Founder of ''Nistarim'' mystical activists. Poland/Germany born c. 1532 *

Elijah Loans Elijah ben Moses Ashkenazi Loans also known as Elijah Baal Shem of Worms, Germany, Worms (1555 – July 1636) was a German rabbi and Kabbalist. He was born in Frankfurt-am-Main. He belonged to the family of Rashi, on his mother's side was the g ...

. 1555–1636 * Joel Baal Shem of Ropshitz * Adam Baal Shem. A teacher of the Besht * Abraham Gershon of Kitov

Brody Brody ( uk, Броди; russian: Броды, Brodï; pl, Brody; german: Brody; yi, בראָד, Brod) is a city in Zolochiv Raion of Lviv Oblast (province) of western Ukraine. It is located in the valley of the upper Styr River, approximately ...

Rabbinic Lurianic circle before becoming Besht's brother-in-law. Ukraine, Israel c. 1701-1761 *

Baal Shem of London Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk ( he, חיים שמואל יעקב דפאלק מרדיולה לנידו; 1708 – 17 April 1782), also known as the Baal Shem of London and Doctor Falckon, was a rabbi, '' baal shem'', and alchemist. Biography Falk was b ...

(Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk) Ukraine/Germany and England 1708–1782 * Baal Shem of Michelstadt (Seckel Lob Wormser) Germany 1768–1847 *

Hannah Rachel Verbermacher Hannah Rachel Verbermacher ( yi, חנה רחל ווערבערמאכער, 1805–1888),The Library of Congress authority file gives her dates as 1815–1892 also known as the Maiden of Ludomir, the Maiden of Ludmir, the ''Ludmirer Moyd'' (in Yid ...

Mitnagdic ''Misnagdim'' (, "Opponents"; Sephardi pronunciation: ''Mitnagdim''; singular ''misnaged''/''mitnaged'') was a religious movement among the Jews of Eastern Europe which resisted the rise of Hasidism in the 18th and 19th centuries. The ''Misna ...

/ Lithuanian Kabbalah: *

Vilna Gaon Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, ( he , ר' אליהו בן שלמה זלמן ''Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman'') known as the Vilna Gaon (Yiddish: דער װילנער גאון ''Der Vilner Gaon'', pl, Gaon z Wilna, lt, Vilniaus Gaonas) or Elijah of ...

(Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, GRA) Head of Non-Hasidic Eastern European Judaism. Opposed Hasidism 1720–1797 * Hayim Volozhin Founder of Lithuanian Yeshivah movement. Main theorist of Mitnagdism in his ''Nefesh HaHayim'' 1749–1821 * Yitzchak Eizik Chaver *

Shlomo Elyashiv Shlomo Elyashiv (Eliashov) (January 5, 1841 Tevet.html"_;"title="2_Tevet">2_Tevet_5602-_March_13,_1926_[27_Adar.html" ;"title="Tevet">2_Tevet_5602.html" ;"title="Tevet.html" ;"title="2 Tevet">2 Tevet 5602">Tevet.html" ;"title="2 Tevet">2 Tevet 56 ...

(Baal HaLeshem, after his major work) Lithuania 1841–1926 * Mordechai Leib HaCohen Kaminetzky

Hasidic popularisation of Kabbalah (18th century-present)

Kabbalistic notions pervade

, but it developed a new approach to Kabbalah, replacing esoteric theosophical focus with successive psychological internalisation. Therefore, only a minimal listing of

Hasidic Hasidism, sometimes spelled Chassidism, and also known as Hasidic Judaism ( Ashkenazi Hebrew: חסידות ''Ḥăsīdus'', ; originally, "piety"), is a Jewish religious group that arose as a spiritual revival movement in the territory of conte ...

figures is given here; founding formative figures or commentators on esoteric Kabbalah texts/tradition.
Founding East-European Hasidic Masters: * Baal Shem Tov, (BeSHT, Israel ben Eliezer). Founder of Hasidism. Ukraine 1698–1760 *

Jacob Joseph of Polnoye Rabbi Jacob Joseph of Polonne, (1710–1784) (Hebrew: ) or Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Pollonye, was one of the first and best known of the disciples of the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov. Biography Yaakov Yosef (sometimes spelled Yacov Y ...

. First writer of Hasidic thought. Ukraine 1710–1784 *

Dov Ber of Mezeritch Dov Ber ben Avraham of Mezeritch ( yi, דֹּב בֶּער מִמֶּזְרִיטְשְׁ; died December 1772 OS), also known as the '' Maggid of Mezeritch'', was a disciple of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (the Baal Shem Tov), the founder of Hasidi ...

(Maggid of Mezeritch). Organizer of Hasidic thought, architect school of movement. Ukraine c. 1700/1710–1772 *

Elimelech of Lizhensk Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717–March 11, 1787) was a rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement. He was known after his hometown, Leżajsk ( yi, ליזשענסק, translit=Lizhensk) near Rzeszów in Poland. He was ...

. Founder of General-Hasidic "practical/popular

Tzadik Tzadik ( he, צַדִּיק , "righteous ne, also ''zadik'', ''ṣaddîq'' or ''sadiq''; pl. ''tzadikim'' ''ṣadiqim'') is a title in Judaism given to people considered righteous, such as biblical figures and later spiritual masters. Th ...

ism" leadership. Poland 1717–1787 *

Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (Levi Yitzchok Derbarmdiger (compassionate in Yiddish) or Rosakov) (1740–1809), also known as the holy Berdichever, and the Kedushas Levi, was a Hasidic master and Jewish leader. He was the rabbi of Ryczywół, Że ...

. Author of '' Kedushas Levi'' classic Hasidic Torah commentary. Ukraine 1740–1809 *

Schneur Zalman of Liadi Shneur Zalman of Liadi ( he, שניאור זלמן מליאדי, September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O.S. / 18 Elul 5505 – 24 Tevet 5573) was an influential Lithuanian Jewish rabbi and the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad, a branch of Ha ...

. Intellectual-Hasidism

Habad Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (), is an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic dynasty. Chabad is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic groups ...

school. Author of '' Tanya'' systematic presentation of Hasidic doctrine. Russia 1745–1812 *

Nachman of Bratzlav Nachman of Breslov ( he, רַבִּי נַחְמָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב ''Rabbī'' ''Naḥmān mīBreslev''), also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover ( yi, רבי נחמן ברעסלאווער ''Rebe Nakhmen Breslover'' ...

. Kabbalistic-Imaginative Breslov school. Kabbalistic storytelling. Ukraine 1772–1810 Other Hasidic commentators on Kabbalah: *

Hayyim Tyrer Hayyim ben Solomon Tyrer () was an important Hasidic rabbi and kabbalist, and is today remembered for several well known Hasidic works. He is also known as "Hayyim of Czernowitz", after his time there. He was a pupil of Rabbi Yechiel Michl (t ...

. Author of ''Sidduro shel Shabbat'', kabbalistic homilies on Sabbatical subjects, and ''Sha'ar ha-Tefillah'', kabbalistic reflections on prayer. Died at Jerusalem 1813. *

Yisroel Hopsztajn Yisroel Hopstein (1737–1814), also known as the Maggid of Kozienice, Kozhnitz, was the founder of Kozhnitz (Hasidic dynasty), Kozhnitz Hasidism, and a noted ''hasidic'' leader in Poland during the late 18th and early 19th century. He was a stu ...

(Maggid of Kozhnitz) A father of Polish Hasidism. Commentaries on Zohar and Tikunei Zohar 1737–1814 * Dovber Schneuri Second Habad leader. Wrote commentary on Zohar and contemplation guides. Russia 1773–1827 *

Zadok HaKohen Rabbi Zadok ha-Kohen Rabinowitz of Lublin (in Hebrew: צדוק הכהן מלובלין) (Kreisburg, 1823 – Lublin, Poland, 1900), or Tzadok Hakohen or Tzadok of Lublin, was a significant Jewish thinker and Hasidic leader. Biography He was bor ...

of Lublin. Kabbalistic commentaries based on

Izbica Izbica ( yi, איזשביצע ''Izhbitz, Izhbitze'') is a village in the Krasnystaw County of the Lublin Voivodeship in eastern Poland. It is the seat of the gmina administrative district called Gmina Izbica. It lies approximately south of Kr ...

personal illumination. Poland 1823–1900 *

Yaakov Yehuda Aryeh Leib Frenkel Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Aryeh Leib Frenkel יעקב יהודה אריה ליב פרענקיל (died June 12, 1940) also known as the Gevuras Aryeh after his major work, was Rabbi of Piricse and a renowned Kabbalist. He authored many scholarly works ...

(Gevuras Aryeh). Kabbalistic work on Ramban's Torah commentary. Hungary 1850/1855–1940 *

Levi Yitzchak Schneerson Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (April 21, 1878 – August 9, 1944) was a Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic rabbi in Yekatrinoslav, Ukraine. He was the father of the seventh Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Early life Rabbi Levi Yit ...

.(1878–1944), father of the seventh and last Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. *

Menachem Mendel Schneerson Menachem Mendel Schneerson (Modern Hebrew: מנחם מענדל שניאורסון; old-fashioned spelling: מנחם מענדל שניאורסאהן; April 5, 1902 OS – June 12, 1994; AM 11 Nissan 5662 – 3 Tammuz 5754), known to man ...

. Lubavitcher Rebbe. Unity of esoteric Kabbalah with exoteric Judaism through Hasidic Thought 1902–1994

20th century Kabbalah

From diverse traditions in Kabbalah (excluding Hasidic thought's internalisation approach): *

Abraham Isaac Kook Abraham Isaac Kook (; 7 September 1865 – 1 September 1935), known as Rav Kook, and also known by the acronym HaRaAYaH (), was an Orthodox rabbi, and the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine. He is considered to be one o ...

Chief Rabbi of Mandate Palestine and poetic-visionary mystical thinker 1865–1935 *

Yehuda Ashlag Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag (1885–1954) or Yehuda Leib Ha-Levi Ashlag ( he, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה לֵיבּ הַלֵּוִי אַשְׁלַג), also known as the Baal Ha-Sulam (Hebrew: , "Author of The Ladder") in reference to his magnum ...

(Baal HaSulam, after main work) Translation of Zohar with new approach in Luria. Poland and Israel 1885—1954 *

Baba Sali Israel Abuhatzeira ( he, ר׳ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַבּוּחַצִירָא), known as the Baba Sali ( ar, بابا صلى, he, בַּאבָּא סָאלִי, lit. "Praying Father") (1889–1984) was a leading Moroccan Sephardic rabbi and ka ...

(Israel Abuhatzeira) Mizrachi sage. Morocco to Israel 1890–1984 *

Yitzhak Kaduri Yitzhak Kaduri (, ar, إسحاق كدوري), also spelled Kadouri, Kadourie, Kedourie; " Yitzhak" ( – 28 January 2006), was a renowned Mizrahi Haredi rabbi and kabbalist who devoted his life to Torah study and prayer on behalf of the Jewis ...

Mizrachi continuation from Rashash. Iraq to Israel d. 2006

Modern teachers of Jewish mysticism

Individual teachers of Jewish mysticism spirituality in modern-style articulations. Solely academic teachers in

research are not listed here.
Orthodox

Kabbalistic Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and Jewish theology, school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "rece ...

: *

Aryeh Kaplan Aryeh Moshe Eliyahu Kaplan ( he, אריה משה אליהו קפלן; October 23, 1934 – January 28, 1983) was an American Orthodox rabbi, author, and translator, best known for his Living Torah edition of the Torah. He became well known as ...

Adin Steinsaltz Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz (11 July 19377 August 2020) ( he, עדין אבן-ישראל שטיינזלץ) was an Israeli Chabad Chasidic rabbi, teacher, philosopher, social critic, author, translator and publisher. His '' Steinsaltz edi ...

Yitzchak Ginsburgh Yitzchak Feivish Ginsburgh (Hebrew: יצחק פייוויש גינזבורג; born 14 November 1944) sometimes referred to as "the Malakh" () is an American-born Israeli rabbi affiliated with the Chabad movement. In 1996 he was regarded as one ...

Moshe Weinberger Rabbi Moshe Weinberger (born June 1, 1957) is an American Chasidic rabbi, outreach educator, author, translator, and speaker. He is the founding ''rav'' of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, New York, and former '' Mashpia''/''mashgiach rucha ...

Non-Orthodox/

Neo-Hasidic Neo-Hasidism, Neochassidut, or Neo-Chassidus, is an approach to Judaism in which people learn beliefs and practices of Hasidic Judaism, and incorporate it into their own lives or prayer communities, yet without formally joining a Hasidic group. ...

Jewish Renewal Jewish Renewal () is a recent movement in Judaism which endeavors to reinvigorate modern Judaism with Kabbalistic, Hasidic, and musical practices. Specifically, it seeks to reintroduce the "ancient Judaic traditions of mysticism and meditation, ...

: * Arthur Green * Lawrence Kushner * Shefa Gold Universalist-style Jewish teachers: *

Philip Berg Philip S. Berg (original name Feivel Gruberger, he, שרגא פייבל; August 20, 1927 – September 16, 2013) was an American rabbi and dean of the worldwide Kabbalah Centre organization. Berg was a great populariser of Ashlagian Kabbalah. ...

* Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi * Samuel Avital * Michael Laitman

External links

{{Commons category, Kabbalists Kabbalists

Kabbalists Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The defin ...