It's not as simple as closing your eyes and meditating. According to ancient mystical texts, it's a perilous journey, fraught with dangers both seen and unseen.
We find ourselves in Heikhalot Rabbati, one of the key texts of the Heikhalot literature, a body of Jewish mystical writings focused on heavenly ascents and visions. Here, Rabbi Ishmael, a central figure in these mystical explorations, recounts a fascinating encounter.
His companions, clearly eager to learn from a master, implore him: “Scion of nobles, thou who rulest by the light of the Law as doth Rabbi Nehunya ben Hakkanah, see him and bring him back that he sit with us, leaving the vision which he glimpseth in the vision of the Merkabah…" They want Rabbi Nehunya, a renowned mystic, to share his wisdom, to pull him away from his own intense contemplation of the Merkabah.
But why? What’s so important about this heavenly chariot? Well, the Merkabah, derived from the Hebrew word for "chariot," represents God’s throne as described in the Book of Ezekiel. Mystics sought to ascend through the seven heavens, or Heikhalot (divine palaces), to witness the divine presence. And it wasn’t a Sunday stroll through the cosmos!
The companions are deeply concerned about who is worthy and who is not, who can safely descend to the Merkabah without facing dire consequences. They ask: "…that he tell us who is he who doth and doth not descend to the Merkabah – he whom the door-keepers of the sixth palace would attack, for they would not touch at all those who [really] descend to the Merkabah. What is the difference between those [who would not be attacked] and those [who would]?”
Think about that for a moment. The gatekeepers of the sixth palace, celestial guardians, are ready to pounce on those they deem unworthy. Why the violence? What distinguishes the true ascenders from the imposters? What qualities, what spiritual preparation, allows someone to safely navigate these celestial realms?
The text doesn't explicitly tell us the answer here, but it strongly suggests that not everyone is cut out for this kind of mystical journey. It implies a rigorous process of purification, ethical conduct, and profound understanding of the Law. Perhaps the gatekeepers can sense the purity (or lack thereof) in the soul attempting to pass through.
The passage highlights a core theme in Heikhalot literature: the immense power and potential danger of mystical ascent. It’s not a game. It's a serious undertaking, reserved for those who have dedicated themselves to a life of spiritual discipline. It begs the question: are we truly ready to confront the divine? And what must we do to prepare ourselves for such an encounter?