Heretic Judaism and Cards

kwaw

The concept of daath doesn't really begin to tajke shape until Luria, and finds its exaltation in the Sabbataian 'Messianianic Apostic' heresies of the 17th and 18th centuries; ergo nothing tp do with the design, but they may have adapted a prevalent design to belief.

Of interest [perhaps], is that Eva Frank [called the 'Gevirah'[maid,queen], a name of the 'shekinah' portrayed as a woman married to the lord [popess?], after the death of her husband the 'messiah' Jacob, lived by fortune telling with cards.

Kwaw
 

jmd

Though the concept of Da'at (Knowledge) in relation to the Tree is indeed quite late, its development as important to the tradition is of course far older.

I am certain that of this kwaw already well aware - but thought I would mention it for the purposes of the thread.

In the Tanakh/Old Testament, it is mentioned a number of times, at times in connection or proximity to wisdom (Hockmah) or understanding (Binah).
 

Fluffmeister

Da'ath appears in the Tanakh in numerous passages - both as the noun and the verb "to know" (yod-daleth-ayin), from which the noun form is derived (daleth-ayin-tau).

The most obvious Kabbalistic reference of course is Genesis 2:9 and 2:17 - "And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is given as "Otz ha-Da'ath Tov va-Ra", so it's a pretty literal translation (Otz=tree, Da'ath=knowledge,Tov=good, Ra=evil)

And of course it was that tree from which Eve ate the fruit - and the first occurrence of "yada" - "to know" is Gen 4:1:

"va-ha-Adam YADA et-Chavvah 'aish-tu...": "and [the] Adam KNEW Eve his wife...", echoing the idea that knowledge=sex that we see when they are "ashamed" of being naked after eating the fruit.
 

jmd

Welcome to Aeclectic, Fluffmeister.

my previous comment in terms of the concept of Da'at in connection with the 'Tree' was meant as a short-hand for the 'Tree of Life'.

In that sense, the connection of the concepts develops in much later times.

In Genesis, of course, the two Trees (that of Life and that of Knowledge) are quite distinct, as the latter brings about the Edenic expulsion which the former, of itself, did not.
 

Fluffmeister

jmd said:
Welcome to Aeclectic, Fluffmeister.

my previous comment in terms of the concept of Da'at in connection with the 'Tree' was meant as a short-hand for the 'Tree of Life'.

In that sense, the connection of the concepts develops in much later times.

In Genesis, of course, the two Trees (that of Life and that of Knowledge) are quite distinct, as the latter brings about the Edenic expulsion which the former, of itself, did not.

Thanks for the welcome, jmd :)

Yes, distinct - but related. Because Adam and Even ate of the tree of knowledge, they were not allowed to eat of the Tree of Life, which would have given them immortality. The implication is we can have immortality *or* knowledge, but not both - because by having both "we would become like gods" (Gen 3:22 - And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever)

The imagery is interesting and goes back to the idea of Da'ath as being the "false godhead". From where we're standing (this side of the abyss), Da'ath *looks* like the top of the Tree because we can't see the supernal triad. However, there is something that lies beyond Da'ath that we're forbidden direct access to.

And of course The Fool is associated with Kether - another echo of a requirement to be "innocent" to connect with that part of the Tree.
 

Fulgour

kwaw said:
Of interest [perhaps], is that Eva Frank [called the 'Gevirah'[maid,queen], a name of the 'shekinah' portrayed as a woman married to the lord [popess?], after the death of her husband the 'messiah' Jacob, lived by fortune telling with cards.

Shekinah
Shechinah
Shekhinah

Hebrew: "Divine Presence"

Literally: "dwelling"

1. The term used to symbolize God's spirit and omnipresence.
2. Another way of referring to God without using His Name (Adonai).
3. The actual dazzling, radiant, shining Presence of the Lord Himself.

It seems to me that Da'at is Shekinah...