Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla

Joseph ben Abraham Chiquitilla was a Castilian kabbalist. Gikatilla, who was at first greatly influenced by Abraham Abulafia's ecstatic, prophetic system of kabbalism, soon showed a greater affinity for philosophy. Gikatilla made an original attempt to provide a detailed yet lucid and systematic exposition of kabbalism. He was also the originator of the doctrine equating the infinite, Ein Sof, with the first of the ten Sefirot. The conception was rejected by the majority of kabbalists from the 16th century onward, but his works continued to be highly esteemed and were published in many editions. His writings reflect the numerous intellectual currents that converged in Castile in the last third of the 13th century and formed a unique milieu for Jewish mysticism in the late Middle Ages. His works, especially his major work, Sha'arei Orah, had a profound influence on the later development of both Jewish and Christian mysticism.