ON THE CABALISTIC ART

BOOK ONE

[PAGE III]

...with teachers from different nations teaching publicly every day. Then Philolaus said, “Have confidence, for he easily becomes a Pythagorean who both willingly believes the word, and knows how to be silent for a time Silence was a core requirement for students in the Pythagorean tradition, and understands all precepts intellectually.” But the other Marranus replied, “I will at least stand by where you allow me, like some Pythagorean, and I will listen to what the talk between you is about. Thus you will make me drenched in inexpressible joy, when I shall have esteemed it a great thing to have been in the company of wise men.” And Alanus said: Alanus “Let us go, for he is said to be walking alone now in the orchard of his house where he lives; and certainly he is in this place, and the door is open. Do you not see him coming from the garden toward us? Come, let us enter more quickly. Greetings, teacher.” To whom Simon, according to the custom of his people, replied: Simon “The Lord be with you.” original: "Dominus uobiscum," a Latin rendering of the Hebrew greeting "Shalom Aleichem" “Are you that Simon the Jew?” the newcomers ask. Then he said, “Both, for I am both a Jew and Simon. But what names shall I take for both of you, so that I may address you more correctly?” Marranus Each replied to this. “I am Philolaus,” and “I am Marranus,” they answered. “And traveling by different routes, each unaware of the other, we have finally come together here after a long pilgrimage. It was not this marketplace referring to Frankfurt, looming so widely with such great commerce, celebrated throughout nearly all of Europe, nor the famous fairs with so many precious goods, nor the beautiful gathering of so many different nations that drew us to its contemplation. Rather, the fame of you alone led us here, Kabbalah with such a desire that you might briefly and conveniently open up your noble thoughts—highly praised in Scythia as well as Thracia Ancient names for regions in Eastern Europe and the Balkans—concerning the whole system of Kabbalah Kabbalah: derived from the Hebrew word for 'received tradition,' referring to Jewish mystical and esoteric philosophy, which, as it seems to the learned, is both to be greatly cultivated and sought after.” To this, he said: “Is there, Simon, a memory of us even among the Scythians and Thracians, such distant peoples?” “There is indeed,” he said, “among both, and it is very great. For about three years ago, about twenty years original: "quatuor lustra," a lustrum being a five-year period after your people B reckoned five thousand two hundred and thirty-eight years from the beginning of the world The year 5238 in the Hebrew calendar corresponds to 1478 CE; adding the "four lustra" brings the narrative setting to roughly 1498–1500 CE, one hundred and twenty-four thousand Jews were expelled from Spain. From there, the greatest part of them, as exiles, set out for our regions in various ways. They spoke much of you—a man very well known to them, as they affirm—noting your mastery of the arts, your great learning, your incredible sharpness of wit, and the ready integrity of your philosophical speech. D Kabbalah They especially praised your divine skill in Kabbalistic speculation, which they declare is admirable to all listeners; so much so that in the eyes of all who are eager to learn, you shine even beyond the Sarmatians Ancient nomadic peoples of the northern Black Sea region and the frozen Ocean.” At this, he replied: “Such a great estimation of me, you Pythagorean men, brings me no small blush of shame. I fear that if I frustrate or fail this judgment of yours, which was conceived from popular rumor—however much that might happen through my own fragility—I myself would seem to have committed a regrettable injury against such a divine study of Kabbalah through my own laziness...”