Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla

Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla was a prominent Spanish Kabbalah writer, active from 1248 until his death around 1305. As a Castilian kabbalist, his early work was heavily influenced by Abraham Abulafia's ecstatic and prophetic system of kabbalism. However, Gikatilla soon shifted his focus towards a more philosophical approach, making a unique attempt to provide a detailed and systematic exposition of kabbalism.

Gikatilla's writings had a profound impact on the development of Jewish and Christian mysticism. His notable work, Sha'arei Orah, showcased his intellectual depth and contributed to the convergence of various intellectual currents in 13th-century Castile. One of his key contributions was the doctrine equating the infinite, Ein Sof, with the first of the ten Sefirot, although this conception was later rejected by many kabbalists from the 16th century onwards. Despite this, his works continued to be highly regarded and were published in numerous editions, reflecting his significant influence on Jewish mysticism in the late Middle Ages.