"Sefer Yetsirah and Jewish Mysiticsm Time Line Compiled by Robert Zucker (c) All rights reserved. "Sefer Yetzirah" Time Line Home Page

1AD-899 AD

1-69AD: Tannian (scribers, scholar)
"Ma'seh Merkahba" (Working of the Wheels) R. Johanan ben Zakkai
"Ma'seh Berashith" (Act of Creation) (follows R. Akiaba). Zakkai was the teacher of Rabbi Eliezer.

In 70 C.E. Oldest reference to the "Sefer Yetzirah" mentioned in the Talmud. Haggigah 12a "Ten agencies through which Gd created the world, vis, widsom, insight, cognition, strength, pwoer, inexorableness, justice, right, lore, mercy."

In 120-189, R. Judah the Prince, redactor of the "Mishnah" earliest period of the Talmud. From him, the Merkabah was given to R. Yochanam, redactor of the Jerusalem Talmud, then to his disciple R. Assi.

Through the combination of the Holy Name, the disciples of Judah the Prince used it to create a 3 year old calf on the eve of each Sabbath which they then ate.

The tradition reached R. Joseph and R. Sira (Zera), both of who knew the mysteries of the Merkabah.

It was then in the hands of the Talmudic sages and in use until the middle of the 5th century.
Reference to the "Sefer Yetzirah" mentioned in Sanhedrin 65b, 66b and 67.b in combination of Holy name, disciples of Judah the Prince, used to create a 3-yr old calf on eve of every Sabbath and ate it.' (Abelson)

In 120, R. Akiba ben Joseph, the pupil of R. Joshua ben Chananja, often mentioned as author of the "Sefer Yetsirah." He lived in time of Emporer Hadrian and lost his life in support of claims of Barchocheba, a false Messiah.

Others suggest that the book "Sefer Yetzirah" was written about 200AD. It is often mentioned as being written during period of 1st or beginning of 2nd c AD. (Graetz,104-110), in early centuries of the Christian Church, especially when ideas and views of Gnostics were in vogue. He later revokes opinion.

The written version has affinities with Babylonian, Egyptian and Hellenistic mysticism during the 2nd century BCE, when such a combination of influences was present. It became one of the most frequently and earliest published works of Jewish lore. was the first sytematic treastie of Jewish mysticism between the 3rd & 6th century. It's influences were late Hellenistic and possibly Neoplatonic mathematical mysticism combined with Rabbinic Merkabah theories.

The Book is said to be Abraham's meditations on the laws of creation immediately before his first revelation from Gd (Gen 12.1-3). It portray the origin of the universe in the combinations, reversals, and augmentations of the letters and symbols which underline all human speech.

About the same time the "Sefer Yetzirah: appeared, Talmudic stories about Rav Sira, Hanina and Oshaya's creations also circulated.

In 300-600 (3rd-5th century AD during the Geonic period, and the "Sefer Yetzirah"), "Sefer Yetzirah, in the Geonic period from 300-900 AD" may have also been written down. Sadaya (10thc) and Halevi (12thc) both said the treastie was "ancient." This was during the time of the Mishna or beginning of period of Talmud (Ginzberg, Epstein, Graetz).

6th Century

Earliest reference to the "Sefer Yetzirah" appears in the "Baraita di-Shemu'el" and in poems by Eleazar ha-Kalir. (Scholem, Kabblah," p.28)

Geonic Period was in 750 through 931when R. Akiba lived- during the post-Tamudic times

9th Century

Two versions of "Sefer Yetzirah" during this time. The original version was mixed with an early commentary referred to as ""Sefer Yetzirah" II." All commentaries written since the beginning of the 10th century are based on this commenary and not the original says several authors. At the turn of the ninth century, Baghdad Jews were in contact with Arabic philosophy, influenced by Greek rationalism.

882 (892)-942 Se'adia Ga'on of Fajum . He wrote "Letters of Our Father Abraham" his "Commentary on the "Sefer Yezirah." 1990 (died in 1983) published. The most indepth English study of each verse with Hebrew and English translations. Lists of editions, versions and commentaries. Reproduction of Gates and other.

Next: 1000-1500AD