Exploring the Kabbalistic Elements of Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion (NGE) is a Japanese anime series that was first released in 1995. It has gained a cult following for its complex and often enigmatic storytelling, as well as its exploration of psychological and philosophical themes. One aspect of NGE that has garnered particular attention is its incorporation of elements from the Kabbalah, a system of Jewish mysticism that originated in the Middle Ages.
The Kabbalah is a body of teachings and practices that seek to understand the nature of the divine and the relationship between the human soul and the divine. It is based on the belief that the Torah (the Hebrew Bible) contains hidden meanings and symbols that can be deciphered through a system of interpretation known as gematria, in which words and phrases are assigned numerical values based on their letters.
In NGE, the Kabbalah serves as a framework for understanding the show's central concept of "instrumentality," the process by which humanity will be saved from an apocalyptic event known as the "Third Impact." The Kabbalah's concept of the "tree of life," which consists of ten sefirot (emanations) that represent the different aspects of the divine, is used to describe the process of instrumentality and the roles of the show's main characters.
The main protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is associated with the sefirah of tiferet, which represents beauty and balance. Shinji's arc throughout the series involves his struggle to come to terms with his own identity and find his place in the world, themes that are echoed in the tiferet sefirah. The other main characters, Asuka Langley Soryu and Rei Ayanami, are also associated with different sefirot, with Asuka representing the sefirah of netzach (victory) and Rei representing the sefirah of yesod (foundation).
Another aspect of the Kabbalah that is central to NGE is the concept of the "vessels" and "sparks." In Kabbalistic thought, the divine light is thought to be too intense for the human soul to bear, so it is broken up into smaller "sparks" that are contained within "vessels." In NGE, these concepts are used to describe the relationship between the human soul and the Evas, giant humanoid robots that are central to the plot of the show. The Evas are described as "vessels" that contain the "sparks" of the human soul, and the process of instrumentality involves the reunification of these sparks into a single entity.
Overall, the Kabbalah serves as a powerful and evocative lens through which to view NGE and its themes of identity, redemption, and the nature of the divine. Its incorporation into the show adds depth and complexity to the story and helps to provide a unique and thought-provoking viewing experience.