Page "Merkabah mysticism" Paragraph 12

According to R. Ammi, the secret doctrine might be entrusted only to one who possessed the five qualities enumerated in Isaiah iii.

3 ( being experienced in any of five different professions requiring good judgement ), and a certain age is, of course, necessary.

When R. Johanan wished to initiate R. Eliezer in the Ma ' aseh Merkabah, the latter answered, " I am not yet old enough.

" A boy who recognized the meaning of ( Ezek.

i. 4 ) was consumed by fire ( Ḥag.

13b ), and the perils connected with the unauthorized discussion of these subjects are often described ( Ḥag.

ii.

1 ; Shab.

80b ).