Is all mysticism forbidden?

Q. Is all "mysticism" forbidden?
A. That is a good question so let's look at it a liitle closer. There are two definitions of mysticism. In the Gentile world this has to do with occult practices like fortune-telling, tarot cards, communicating with the dead, palm reading and things like that. These practices are explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures. Television is full of these things. There is also Biblical mysticism which is a description of G-d or the things of G-d beyond human comprehension, given in visions, language and various other items.

One of the leading teachers on this subject asked a crowd "What was the most mystical Jewish writing?" His answer surprised many when he said it was the New Testament. There are many examples of "mystical" concepts, but let's name a few. Paul uses the term "mystery many times, and in particular the book of Ephesians and Thessalonians. The term means "'a deeper meaning" to whatever the subject was. There are 4 levels of interpretation in the Scriptures. There is the "peshat" or literal level, the "remez" or "alluding to" level, the "drash" or interpreative level, and last the "sowd" or mystical level. This is the level where deep concepts are discussed. Paul said "I knew a man who went to the third heaven" or his allusions the "first Adam and the second Adam".

The first Adam has a name in Biblical mysticism called the "Adam Kadmon" and it refers to the primodial man, the first or perfect man. He is identified with the Messiah and contrasted to Satan who is calledAdam Beliel." There are hundreds of examples of mysticism in the Brit Chadash or New Testament. The Book of Revelation is full of mysticism and there are mystical sayings and concepts all through the Gospels. There is what is called "Kabbalah" in Jewish thought. I don't agree with some of it but there is a Torah-based Kabbalah. Rabbi Gamaliel, Paul's teacher, was the leading Kabbalist of his time and Paul certainly learned many concepts from him. You have to know the Torah and the scriptures at a deep level to know the difference between true mysticism, or mystical writings, and that which is not to be studied.

There is a rule that one is not to study mysticism unless he is 40 years old. That doesn't mean in years alone, but you must have studied the Torah for 40 years and know the basics. You must teach your children the things of G-d, but you must restrain yourself from many things until they are ready because you could do more damage than good. A study of the Temple with Keruvim (Cherubim) on the walls, and the palm tress and pomegranates are all mystical. So, there is a forbidden mysticism, but there is a Biblical mysticsm that should be studied and pursued to bring us to a deeper understanding of G-d.