[Der Talmud und dessen “Geheimlehre.”]
Translation from the German by Robert Hutwohl[1]
“When the Jew comes to adolescence, he realizes that he is the outcast of ungrateful Europe, which owes him the best of its laws, much of its fine literature, and all of its religion.” Disraeli.
There is nothing in the world more abominable and disgusting than that monster which is born of the union of stupidity and self-conceit and manifests itself in the form of religious intolerance. Whether it is staring at us from the eyes of a narrow-minded theologian sparkling with clerical fanaticism, whether we hear its voice from above the Vatican, or whether we meet it under the mask of a short-sighted philosopher on his search for earthworms; his basic ugliness, even if it appears personified in so many different forms, always remains the same. In comparison with this monstrosity, even vice can claim to be beautiful, for in the latter there is often still something, albeit a perverted ideal and spiritual, and therefore life, while in religious intolerance stupidity, unconsciousness, and death are represented as a dark and unsubstantial shadow, which only its inherent self-conceit lends a semblance of life.
Because of its resilience, stupidity is a great power in the world and difficult to overcome. Aided by selfishness, it becomes a dangerous enemy of humanity. In it and in nothing else lies the origin of the country-devastating wars, tax suppression, the prostitution of the most sacred goods of mankind, the suppression of human rights, the compulsion of fashion, the flourishing of all nonsense that has gained respectability through old tradition, and in general all suffering of the human race and the animals subject to it.
A blatant example of religious blindness and intolerance are the persecutions to which the Jewish Talmud is still exposed today, although this code of law contains the highest teachings of wisdom, and even the allegories contained within it, as is usually the case, are misinterpreted by ignorance, are much less offensive than certain passages in the “Christian” Bible, which largely originated from the Jewish Talmud.
E. Deutsch[2] says:
“From Justinian down to Clement VIII and still later, for a period of more than a thousand years, temporal and spiritual powers, kings and emperors, popes and anti-popes, have vied with one another in excommunications, bulls and edicts, in decrees of confiscation and burning, against this ill-fated book. Within a period of fifty years it was publicly burned no fewer than six different times, and not in single specimens, but generally, in batches.”
On the other hand, the famous [Johann] Reuchlin wrote to Emperor Maximilian [Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor], who asked his advice:
“At every German university two professors should be employed for the sole purpose of enabling the students to become acquainted with this book.”
And regarding its suppression he says:
“When now an incomprehensible germ comes and speaks, most powerful Kaiser, most gracious sir, your Majesty [ewer mayestat], shall burn the books of Alchemy [alcimie]; what should the kays. May. give such a biffel or donkey an answer other than saying: You are a bad person, vil mer to laugh at him so pleasingly.”[3]
But what else is the Talmud other than a book which contains the oldest wisdom teachings, as we also find them in the Zend-Avesta, in the Vedas, the Bible and in all the writings of the world sages, Plato, Aristotle, Spinoza, Goethe, etc ; a union of religion, philosophy and science, higher knowledge and sublime poetry. And like all other books of wisdom, the Talmud also has its exoteric and esoteric side, its outer shell is visible to everyone and its spiritual core is incomprehensible to the spiritually short-sighted, its logical teaching appropriate to the speculation of the brain and the teaching of the heart, whose truth must be felt before it can be understood.
The Talmud is not, as some who do not know it believe, a collection of legal paragraphs, but it embraces heaven and earth, spirit and matter; it is, in other words, a guide on the way to the attainment of God-knowledge, or “theosophy.” Anyone who knows how to read it properly will find everything in it. “If you wish to know the unseen, open your eyes wide enough in contemplating the visible.” In the Talmud, the result of wrong conception and application, as well as correct knowledge of Scripture, is allegorically described. “Four men,” it says, “entered paradise. One looked and died. The other looked and went out of his mind. The third destroyed the young growth. One alone entered in peace and came out in peace.” The name of the third is an object of unspeakable loathing, and it is said of him: “All men be forgiven today, except Elisha ben Abujah, who recognized me and yet betrayed me.”[4]
The Talmud, or “Law” or “The Secret Doctrine” includes all and every science, precisely because all and every science is necessary for understanding the law of spirit in nature. In spite of all the explanations, this teaching will always remain secret for all those who only recognize the letter but not the spirit of it, and who cannot raise themselves to that high spiritual standpoint which is necessary for their understanding. Without the Holy Spirit, the light of truth, no spiritual knowledge is possible, because the transitory cannot grasp the eternal. The higher spiritual knowledge of the enlightened one is called Kallah, i.e., [Hebrew, כלה, for] that is, bride. The Bride is the soul illumined by the divine light; the bridegroom is the spirit of knowledge. “Jerusalem” (the kingdom of God in the heart), it says, “was destroyed because the instruction of the youth was neglected” (because the seed of holiness did not find the nourishment it needed). It is also said that
‘learning’ (and by this is not meant profane knowledge or catechism, but religious knowledge of the truth) is better than sacrifice. Revere your (spiritual) teacher more than your father himself. The latter brought you into this world, the former shows you the way to the next. But hail to the son who has learned from his father; he will honor him doubly, as his father and as his teacher, and hail the father who can teach his son himself. — The faith of the heart is something which no law can command, and yet is greater than all.
As to the Pharisees, there is no greater error than that they were a “sect” hated by Christ. They were not a sect, but among them were the most outstanding and noble-minded men of their time. But that among them, as among all other classes, as is the case among the representatives of modern Christianity, there were mangy sheep, which is the subject of repeated accusations in all contemporary literature. The Talmud itself lists seven classes of Pharisees, of which only one is worthy of the name, namely, that which does the will of the Father in heaven, not for earthly motives, but because he loves him. The “Lex Talionis” [The law of retaliation] is also unknown to the Talmud. “To repay measure for measure,” stands according to him in God’s hand (karma) alone. It was only the Sadducees who insisted on the literal interpretation of the verse in question (an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, etc.).
It is not the purpose of this article to enter into a history of the development of the Talmud, or to analyze its contents, but rather only to call the readers’ attention to the wisdom teachings which are contained in it. The Talmud is like the Bible. Everyone will find what they are looking for in it; only the fool sees only the outward forms, follies, but the wise sees wisdom. The Talmud itself says significantly of certain explorers: “They dived into an ocean and brought up a shard.”
The history of creation and development in the Talmud generally agrees with that of the “Secret Doctrine.” The purpose and goal of creation is man, who was therefore created last “when everything was ready to receive him.” When he has attained the perfection of virtue, he is higher than the angels themselves. The duty of universal charity, without any and all distinction, is constantly being reminded. God’s Spirit rests on those who are humble in heart. “To walk in the ways of God” means to imitate him in his works.
When the righteous die, three hosts of angels (Ātmā-Buddhi-Manas?) receive him. When the wicked leaves the world, three hosts of evil angels (ghosts, animals and demons?) receive him. The angels are the bearers of sublime thoughts, feelings, and divine ideals; the demons the invisible polluters in man himself, as well as outside him. The “devil” or evil spirit is the passion “which excites, creates remorse, and kills.” The Talmud also contains a number of symbols borrowed from the Vedas and the Zend-Avesta, the misinterpretation of which has been reserved for our theologians. Proselytizing was always alien to Judaism.
The Talmud believes in “miracles” but does not regard them as unnatural things. One of these wonders is the art of writing, an invention that one is entitled to wonder about. Protection from sin is also a “miracle.”
The Lord created man “not entirely from heaven, not entirely from earth,” but from both[5]; a harmonious bond between heaven and earth. The soul, the heavenly part of man, is pre-existent, and consequently embodiment is a fact (reincarnation). In the hour when the soul is born in the human body, an angel touches the mouth of the child who forgets all that has been.
“As God fills the whole universe,” says the Haggadah, “so too does the soul fill the whole human body. As God sees and is not seen, so the soul sees and is not seen. As God nourishes the whole universe, so the soul nourishes the whole body. As God is pure, so is the (divine) soul pure.” The soul is God’s daughter, and therefore it “never gets enough on earth.” She always thinks of those spheres and grieves because of their earthly exile. It is also she who brings the virtues and faults of men to God’s notice, and she, like her shell, awaits reward and punishment.
God’s name is unspeakable, but there are many terms that indicate His qualities (aspects), such as “the Merciful,” “the Holy One,” “Space,” “the Heavens,” “the Lord,” “the Word,” “the Power,” “the Name,” “the Father in Heaven,” “the Almighty,” “the Shekinah,” or “holy presence.” The relationship of this world to the future is indicated by various parables: “Prepare yourself in the antechamber, so that you may be admitted into the palace.”
“This world is like an inn by the way; but the future is the right existence.” The Talmud knows no eternal damnation, but an inheritance of the punishment from “generations to generations,” i.e., from one reincarnation to the next and following (according to the law of karma). Everyone, whatever their faith or nation, as long as they are one of the righteous, will enter the future life. “Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, the salvation that the Lord has bestowed on His.”
Wisdom teachings of the Talmud.
Be a disciple of Aaron, a friend of peace, a promoter of peace, a friend of all people, and lead them to the law (truth).
Don’t believe in yourself until the day you die.
Do not judge your neighbor until you have stood in his place.
He who does not increase in his knowledge decreases in it.
Anyone who tries to profit from the crown of wisdom will perish.
God rests his spirit on a strong, wise, rich and humble man.
Strong is he who controls his passion, rich is he who is content with his lot.
The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit (Wisdom).
Be the one who is cursed, not the curse. Be of those who are being pursued, not of those who are pursuing.
There is no bird more frightened by captors than the dove; yet God chose her to be sacrificed on his altar.
The bull is pursued by the lion, the sheep by the wolf, and the goat by the tiger.
Offer your sacrifices to me (the only One) and you will sacrifice to the true God.
It is for you that you sacrifice, not for me.
Whoever offers a sham sacrifice, his reward will be equal to that of a sham sacrifice. Whoever offers a burnt offering (in the heart), his wages are the wages of a burnt offering; but he who brings humility to God and man will be rewarded with a reward as if he had offered all the sacrifices in the world.
The child loves its mother more than its father. It fears the father more than the mother.
Bless God for evil as for good.
When you hear of a death, say: “Blessed be the just judge.”
Even when the gates of prayer are closed in heaven, the gates of tears always remain open.
Prayer is Israel’s only weapon, a weapon inherited from their fathers, immune to countless battles.
When the righteous die, it is only the earth that he loses.
The lost jewel is always a jewel, but he who has lost it may well go and weep.
Life is a fleeting shadow, Scripture says. Is it the shadow of a tower, a tree? A shadow that lingers for a while? No, it is the shadow of a bird in flight. Away the bird flies, and there remains neither bird nor shadow.
Do penance the day before your death. Once upon a time there was a king who invited all his servants to a big banquet, but did not specify the hour. Some went home and put on their best robes and stood in front of the palace door; the others said: There is time enough; the king will let us know beforehand. But the king suddenly ordered them, and the wise, who presented themselves in their best robes, were well gutted, but the foolish turned away in their everyday clothes.
Check in with yourself today, you could be recalled tomorrow.
The aim and purpose of all wisdom is repentance and good works. Even the most righteous will have no higher place in heaven than the truly penitent.
The reward of good works is like dates; late ripening but sweet.
A sage’s final blessing to his disciples was: I pray for you that you may fear heaven as much as you fear man. You avoid sin in the face of the latter, avoid it also in the face of the All-Seeing.
A heathen asked: If your God hates idolatry, why does he not destroy it? And they answered him, Behold, they worship the sun, and the moon, and the stars. Would you like him to destroy this beautiful world for the sake of fools?
He who has more knowledge than good works is like a tree with many branches but few roots, which the first gust of wind upsets; but he whose works are greater than his knowledge is like a tree with many roots; all the winds of heaven are powerless against him.
Love your wife as yourself; honor her more than yourself.
Whoever lives without a wife lives without consolation, without joy, without blessing.
Go down a level when you choose a wife.
If your wife is small, stoop down to her and whisper in her ear.
Whoever leaves the love of his youth, the altar of God weeps for him.
Anyone who sees his wife dying in front of him has, so to speak, been present at the destruction of his sanctuary. — The world grows dark around him.
It is through woman alone that God’s blessing is granted to a home.
Whoever marries for money, his children will be a curse for him.
The house that does not open to the poor will open to the doctor.
Even the birds of the air despise the miser.
He who gives alms in secret is greater than Moses himself.
Honor the sons of the poor; science comes from them.
Your neighbor’s honor is as valuable to you as your own. Better to be thrown into a red-hot furnace than publicly shame someone.
Hospitality is the most important part of active worship.
There are three crowns; that of the law, that of the priesthood, and that of the kingship. The crown of a good conscience is greater than all of them.
Iron breaks stone, fire melts iron, water quenches fire, the clouds carry the water, the storm drives away the clouds, man resists the storm, fear emasculates man, wine drives away fear, sleep drives away the wine, and death takes away everything, even sleep. But Solomon the Wise says: Charity saves from death. How can you escape from sin? Think of three things: where you came from, where you are going, and to whom you will have to give an account of all your deeds, the King of kings, the Holy of Holies. Praise be to him.
Four will not enter Paradise: the mocker, the liar, the hypocrite, and the slanderer.
Slander is murder.
The rooster and the owl are both waiting for daylight. “The light,” says the rooster, “brings me joy; but what is the light for?”
When the thief has no opportunity to steal, he thinks he is an honest man.
If your friends are unanimous in calling you a donkey, go and put on a saddle.
Your friend has a friend, and your friend’s friend has a friend. Be secretive.
The dog runs after you for the crumbs in your pocket.
In whose family someone has been hanged, do not say to his neighbor: Please hang this little fish for me.
The camel wanted horns, and their ears were cut off.
The mercenaries fight and the kings are heroes.
The thief calls on God when breaking in.
A sixty-year-old woman follows the music just as much as a six-year-old child.
Theft follows the thief, poverty follows the beggar.
While your foot is shod, crush the thorn.
When the ox lies down, the butcher gives many.
Go down a level when you choose a wife; go up one if you choose a friend.
If you have something bad about you, just say so yourself.
Strike the gods and the priests will tremble.
If there were no passions, no one would build a house, take a wife, or do any work.
Fools are no proof.
The sun will set alone without your help.
Nobody is responsible for the words he utters in jest.
One says grace, the other eats.
He who is modest will not easily sin.
There is a great difference between the one who is ashamed of himself and the one who is only ashamed of others.
It’s a good sign for a person to be ashamed.
One contrition of heart is better than many scourgings.
If our ancestors were angels, we are only human; if our ancestors were men, we are like donkeys.
Don’t dwell next to a pious fool.
If you want to hang yourself, choose a tall tree.
Eat onions and sit in the shade rather than fowl, if that causes trouble in your heart.
A small coin in a large jug makes a tremendous noise.
A myrtle is a myrtle even in the desert.
If the pitcher falls on the stone, woe to the pitcher! If the stone falls on the jug, woe to the jug! Whatever happens, woe to the pitcher!
Even if the bull has his head deep in the trough, rush onto the roof and pull the ladder behind you.
Make a living by skinning the carcasses in the street when you have to; but be careful not to say: I am a priest, I am of noble blood. This work does not befit my dignity.
Youth is a garland of roses; Age a crown of thorns.
Use a noble vase, even if only for one day. It may break tomorrow.
The last thief is hanged first.
Teach your tongue to say: I don’t know.
The heart of our first ancestors was as wide as the widest temple gate, that of the later ones like that of the next; ours is like the eye of a needle.
Don’t drink, you won’t sin.
It is not the position that honors the man, but the man the position.
Cat and mouse make peace over a carrion.
Whoever inspects his possessions every day will always find a small coin.
He who humbles himself is exalted; whoever rises up will be humbled.
He who runs after greatness flees from him; whoever flees from greatness, it follows.
Those who overcome their anger will have their sins forgiven.
He who does not pursue those who pursue him; Whoever accepts an insult quietly, who does good out of love, who is confident in his suffering, these are God’s friends, and the Scripture says of them: They will shine like the sun in its strength.
Do a sin twice and it will seem lawful to you.
When a man’s end has come, everyone feels called to his Lord.
Since our love was hot, we found room on the edge of a sword; now that it is cold, a bed sixty cubits wide is too narrow for us.
When the shepherd is angry with his flock, he puts a blind bellwether over them.
The day is short and the work is much; but the workers are lazy, even if the Lord of the work urges. It is not up to you to complete the work; but you must not withdraw from him either. If you have done much, your reward will be great; for the master of thy work is conscientious in his reward. But know that the true reward is not of this world.[6]
Notes
[1] The Talmud and its “Secret Doctrine” [Der Talmud und dessen “Geheimlehre.” Franz Hartmann, M.D. Lotusblüten 12, no. 71 (August 1898), 578-600] {This article was reformatted from the original, but with the content unchanged other than fixing minor typos. Translation from the German by Robert Hutwohl, ©2025}
[2] “Der Talmud.” Berlin 1869.
[3] {R.H.—This distorted German was difficult to translate, as it was loosely written and sloppily. It could be poetic license, of which I am not familiar. It seems to be spoken jokingly or in jest.}
[4] In the first the light of wisdom dawned and he lost himself in it. The second attempted to enact the Light of Theosophy with his earthly comprehension and became insane about it. The third became enlightened, but gently used the divine light to serve lower purposes and thereby fell into black magic. (All of this is now commonplace among “Christians.”) The fourth entered the higher state and emerged as a Sage (yogi).
[5] {R.H.—This is the theosophical teaching regarding the seven principles: the higher Triad or Agniṣvāttas (Sanskrit) and the lower quaternary or Barhishads (Sanskrit) This is taught, exoterically, in the Hindu works.}
[6] Man receives the transitory reward for his good works, if not already in this life, then at least in his next reincarnations. But the true reward for selfless work is in eternity, in God himself.