The World of Kabbalah

The Hebrew word Kabbalah in essence means to be "receptive" or "to receive".

Kabbalah is the esoteric dimension of Judaism. Kabbalah deals with the origin and purpose of Existence and the objective of the Absolute in the drama of creation. 

In earlier times Jewish mystics were also known as "Those who know the field", meaning Existence. (-> analogy "field" = "existence")

The purpose of existence, according to Kabbalah, is that God wishes to behold God in the process of the universe's evolution and the self-realisation of humanity which is the instrument by which such an event can come about. (Existence = Macrocosm; Humanity = Microcosm)

Jacob's Ladder is Kabbalah's metaphysical and mythodological picture of existence. 

Kabbalah is the inner teaching and the term Kabbalah has first been used 
in medieval Spain by 11th century Spanish Jewish philosopher, poet amd mystic Solomon Ibn Gabriol.  Whilst by the medieval period many different forms of this esoteric aspect of the teaching had evolved, all drew upon a central core, which is based upon the Bible, especially the first chapter of Genesis. To these were added many myths and legends, not included in the Biblical canon, which deepened the understanding of the text.

The bible has four levels at which it can be comprehended: 
literal level of understanding (lowest level)
symbolic level of understanding
metaphysical level of understanding
direct mystical experience ( highest level of understanding)

(Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi, Introduction to The World of Kabbalah)