Tradition Classification and Jewish Mysticism

The earliest form of Jewish mysticism was the Merkavah tradition. Learned Rabbis would fast for 40 days and 40 nights, constantly in prayer, preparing for a conscious ascension to the highest hekhaloth, or the realm of the divine. The journey to the highest hekhaloth is quite treacherous for the Merkavah traveler. He must already have memorized all the names of the angels and holy creatures he might encounter in order to safely pass through. He must also have guarded his body with various mystical "seals". Failure to know a name of an angel, or to have an improper seal over a part of the body can lead to serious danger. The traveler might even die in the realm of the divine.

In order for a Rabbi to be trained into the Merkavah tradition, he must be a master of Torah and he must already know about the tradition. After years of study he will be allowed to make his ascent. If he safely reaches the highest hekhaloth, God is required to answer any questions asked of him by the traveler. In the "Maaseh Merkavah", a story taken from the Talmud describing the journey of the heavenly travelers, many cautions are given to the traveler about the divine realm. One story describes how four Rabbis were ascending to the hekhaloth, and only one returned unscathed. The others died or were driven insane from what they saw, because they did not have the proper names and seals required for safe passage.