Joseph Gikatilla in the context of "Castilians"

Play Trivia Questions online!

or

Skip to study material about Joseph Gikatilla in the context of "Castilians"




⭐ Core Definition: Joseph Gikatilla

Joseph ben Abraham Chiquitilla (Hebrew: יוסף בן אברהם ג'יקטיליה, Spanish: Chiquitilla, "the very little one") (born 1248 in Medinaceli; died after 1305 in Peñafiel) was a Castilian kabbalist. Gikatilla, who was at first greatly influenced by Abraham Abulafia's ecstatic, prophetic system of kabbalism, soon showed a greater affinity for philosophy. Gikatilla made an original attempt to provide a detailed yet lucid and systematic exposition of kabbalism. He was also the originator of the doctrine equating the infinite, Ein Sof, with the first of the ten Sefirot. The conception was rejected by the majority of kabbalists from the 16th century onward, but his works continued to be highly esteemed and were published in many editions. His writings reflect the numerous intellectual currents that converged in Castile in the last third of the 13th century and formed a unique milieu for Jewish mysticism in the late Middle Ages. His works, especially his major work, Sha'are Orah (Gates of Light, before 1293), had a profound influence on the later development of both Jewish and Christian mysticism.

In different manuscripts of the work the author's name is variously written "Gribzul," "Karnitol," and "Necatil," all corruptions of "Gikatilla."

↓ Menu

In this Dossier

Joseph Gikatilla in the context of Kabbalah

Kabbalah or Qabalah (/kəˈbɑːlə, ˈkæbələ/ kə-BAH-lə, KAB-ə-lə; Hebrew: קַבָּלָה, romanizedQabbālā, pronounced [kabaˈla] ; lit.'act of receiving, acceptation') is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It forms the foundation of mystical religious interpretations within Judaism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal (מְקֻובָּל, Məqubbāl, 'receiver').

Jewish Kabbalists originally developed transmissions of the primary texts of Kabbalah within the realm of Jewish tradition and often use classical Jewish scriptures to explain and demonstrate its mystical teachings. Kabbalists hold these teachings to define the inner meaning of both the Hebrew Bible and traditional rabbinic literature and their formerly concealed transmitted dimension, as well as to explain the significance of Jewish religious observances.

↑ Return to Menu