Jewish mysticism was already evident in Biblical times, but encounters with Hellenism from the West and Zoroastrianism from the East accelerated its development. Absorbing these influences, Jewish mysticism emerged in uniquely Jewish ways. It can be arranged into two elemental periods, divided by movements before and movements after the emergence of Kabbalah and, especially, the publication of the Zohar.

(For destinations that seek intensive study, Rossel has crafted two separate courses: This, "God’s Chariot," the first, concentrates on Jewish mysticism from ancient to medieval times. Either course stands on its own; and for destinations with less time commitment, various segments of each course can also stand alone.)