Halacha and Kabbalah (i)

In this episode, we start what will be IYH an extended discussion of the issue of kabbalistic influence on the development of halacha. Gavriel has been studying the history in some detail recently, and found that it re-radicalised him against kabbalah, whereas Johanan felt the discussion nuanced things somewhat. Chime in with your thoughts! Some of the topics we address:

• The history of the reception of the Zohar

• The effect of the expulsion from Spain

• The conservative nature of pre-Tzfat kabbalah

• The reinvention of Kabbalah in Tzfat

• The role of the Beit Yosef

• Misinterpretations of the Zohar in halachic works

• The duality of kabbalah as an elite-mystical and popular movement