Instructor:

• Instructors: Dr. Yana Greenberg
  

Prerequisite: none

Step into the hidden dimensions of Jewish mysticism, where luminous angels and shadowy demons wage an eternal struggle for the human soul. This course, Angels and Demons of the Kabbalah, invites you on a journey through the sacred architecture of creation—where every thought, word, and deed ripples across spiritual realms.

From the fiery Seraphim who chant “Holy, Holy, Holy” before the Divine Throne, to the Qliphothic shells that trap the unwary in illusion, Kabbalah maps a cosmic drama of light and darkness. You’ll explore:

• The Hierarchy of Angels: Meet the 72 Names of God, the archangels governing planets, and the personal mazal (guardian spirit) that whispers to your destiny.
• The Shadow Side: Confront demons born from human sin, the “Other Side” (Sitra Achra), and how they manifest as psychological and spiritual blockages.
• Practical Wisdom: Learn how Kabbalists use meditation, amulets, and divine names for protection and elevation—and why some paths are considered dangerously forbidden.

Whether you seek mystical knowledge, personal transformation, or the keys to navigating life’s moral battles, this class reveals how Kabbalah’s celestial beings mirror our highest potentials—and darkest temptations. Will you dare to lift the veil?

Course Objectives:

• Understand the hierarchy of angels (Malachim, Seraphim, Ophanim, etc.)
• Identify demonic forces (Sitra D’Kedusha (the side of holiness) or Sitra Achra (the side of impurity)) in Kabbalistic tradition
• Analyze angelic/demonic symbolism in the Tree of Life (Sefirot vs. Qliphoth)
• Apply meditative and ritual techniques for spiritual balance

Course Description:

This immersive 8-week course explores the hidden world of Kabbalistic angels and demons—their roles, symbolism, and practical applications in Jewish mysticism. Students will study sacred texts, meditate on divine names, and learn protective rituals while engaging with historical and modern interpretations of these celestial and chaotic forces.

Course Outline: 

Week 1: Introduction to Kabbalistic Cosmology

Topics:

• The Tree of Life (Sefirot) and the Tree of Death (Qliphoth)
• The Four Worlds (Atziluth, Beriah, Yetzirah, Assiah)
• Divine vs. Demonic in Jewish mysticism

Readings:

• Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Creation) – Ch. 1
• The Kabbalah Handbook (Gabriella Samuel) – Angels & Demons section

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• How does the Kabbalistic view of angels differ from popular culture depictions?
• What ethical concerns might arise when working with these concepts?
• Have you encountered these ideas before in other traditions?

Assignments:

• Journal: What draws you to study angels/demons?
• Meditation: Visualizing the Light of Ein Sof

Week 2: The Hierarchy of Angels

Topics:

• Malachim (Messengers), Seraphim (Fiery Ones), Ophanim (Wheels)
• Metatron (The Heavenly Scribe) & Sandalfon (The Weaver of Prayers)
• Guardian Angels in Kabbalah vs. popular culture

Readings:

• 3 Enoch (Book of Heavenly Palaces) – Excerpts on Metatron
• A Dictionary of Angels (Gustav Davidson)

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• How might the concept of “angelic messengers” manifest in modern life?
• What purpose do elaborate angelic hierarchies serve?

Assignments:

• Reflection paper (1 page): Should we view angels as literal beings or psychological
  archetypes?
• Research & present on one angel of your choice
• Keep an “angel journal” noting synchronicities for 7 days

Week 3: The Dark Side – Sitra Achra & the Qliphoth

Topics:

• Sitra Achra “The Other Side”– Kabbalistic demonology
• The 11 Qliphotic Shells (Shadow of the Sefirot)
• Samael & Lilith – The Adversarial Couple

Readings:

• Kabbalah, Magic & the Great Work of Self-Transformation (Lyam Thomas
  Christopher) – Qliphoth section
• The Book of Solomon’s Magick (Poke Runyon) – Demonic hierarchies
• Zohar 1:148a-149b (Pritzker Edition)
• Scholem, G. (1974). Kabbalah, “Demonology” section

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• How does Kabbalah reconcile evil with an all-powerful God?
• Are demons best understood as external entities or internal shadows?
• What modern phenomena might represent “Qliphothic” energy?

Assignments:

• Compare one Sefirah with its Qliphotic counterpart

Week 4: Archangels & Cosmic Battles

Topics:

• Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel – Their roles in cosmic warfare
• The War in Heaven (Talmudic & Zoharic accounts)
• Fallen Angels (Azazel, Shemyaza)

Readings:

• The Zohar (Pritzker Edition) – Vol. 1, Bereshit
• Fallen Angels and the History of Judaism (Annette Yoshiko Reed)
• Book of Daniel 10:13, 12:1
• The Wars of the Lord (Gersonides), selected passages

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

Assignments:

Midterm – 30% of grade. Five page paper, in APA 7 format. Choose one of the following questions:

• How do archangels reflect different aspects of the Divine?
• What contemporary conflicts mirror these cosmic battles?

Week 5: Practical Kabbalah – Angelic Invocations

Topics:

• 72 Names of God (Shem HaMephorash) & angelic connections
• Theurgy vs. Goetia in Jewish magic
• Dreamwork with Angels

Readings:

• The Book of Sacred Names (Uri Raziel)
• Angelic Magic (Damon Brand) – Practical techniques
• Sefer Raziel HaMalakh (Book of Angel Raziel), excerpts
• Idel, M. (1990). Kabbalah: New Perspectives, chapter 5
• Sefer Raziel HaMalakh (Book of Angel Raziel), excerpts
• Idel, M. (1990). Kabbalah: New Perspectives, chapter 5

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• What distinguishes “holy” magic from forbidden practices?
• How can we approach divine names respectfully today?
• Should these practices remain esoteric or be democratized?

Assignments:

• Experiment with a divine name (e.g., recite “Ana B’Koach” for a week)
• Record dreams for angelic messages

Week 6: Demonic Exorcism & Protection

Topics:

• Dybbuks, Ibburim, and Evil Eye in Kabbalah
• The Baal Shem Tov’s exorcisms
• Amulets & Psalms for Protection

Readings:

• Jewish Magic and Superstition (Joshua Trachtenberg)
• The Book of the Angel Raziel (Sefer Raziel HaMalakh)
• Ma’aseh Buch (1602), possession accounts
• Trachtenberg, J. (1939). Jewish Magic and Superstition, relevant chapters

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• How do Kabbalistic protections compare to other traditions?
• What psychological explanations might exist for possession phenomena?
• When does spiritual protection become superstition?

Assignments:

• Write a modern exorcism ritual (ethical guidelines provided)
• Analyze a case study of historical exorcism

Week 7: Lilith – Demoness or Divine Feminine? Night Spirits

Topics:

• Lilith’s evolution through Jewish texts (Adam’s first wife, child-stealing demoness)
• Night demons and spiritual ecology
• Lilin & Mazzikin (Talmudic spirits of chaos)
• Feminine Divine vs. Dark Feminine

Readings:

• The Alphabet of Ben Sira (Lilith’s origin story)
• Lilith: The First Eve (Siegmund Hurwitz)
• Patai, R. (1964). The Hebrew Goddess, Lilith chapter

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• Why has Lilith’s image changed so dramatically over time?
• How can we reconcile Lilith’s destructive and empowering aspects?
• What does the Lilith story reveal about gender in mysticism?

Assignments:

• What is Lilith’s rebellion?
• Is Lilith a demoness or a feminist icon?

Week 8: Modern Science & Dreams

Topics:

• Psychological vs. Literal Interpretations of angels/demons
• Kabbalah in contemporary spirituality
• Ethics of Working with Spiritual Forces

Readings:

• Modern Kabbalah (Jason Shulman)
• The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis (Dion Fortune)
• Wolfson, E. (2005). Language, Eros, Being, concluding chapter
• Contemporary articles on Kabbalah in practice

Live Discussions via Zoom: 7:30 PM (AST).

• How can these ancient teachings address modern problems?
• What dangers exist in popularizing Kabbalistic concepts?
• Where will your exploration go from here?

Assignments: Final Examination – 30% of grade. 7-8 page paper, in APA 7 format. Choose one of the topics:

• How can these ancient teachings address modern problems?
• What dangers exist in popularizing Kabbalistic concepts?

Grading:

• Discussion Questions: 40%
• Mid-term Examination: 30%
• Final Examination: 30%
• Grading Scale: A+ (90-100), A (80-84), A- (85-89), B+ (77-79), B (73-76), B- (70-72), C+ (65-69), C (60-64), C- (55-59), D (50-54), F (0-49)

Technical Requirements:

• Stable internet connection
• Access to Zoom for live lectures (recordings available)
• Moodle for course materials and assignments

Tuition:

Payable through PayPal’s secure online payment system.
Supports CAPRI’s non-profit mission.

Withdrawals and Terminations:

Refer to CAPRI’s policies on voluntary withdrawals, terminations, and appeals.

 Admissions:

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