Wikipedia's first sentence called it “plural for "souls" of souls which are "cycled" through " lives or "incarnations" into the body”. Today it says “concept of reincarnation or "transmigration of souls " in kabbalistic esoteric mysticism”.
Measured, not asserted. Every count, date and revision on this page was taken from Wikipedia's own history and checked against the live article. The words quoted are theirs.
Machine-checked against the full current article on 2026-08-03.
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The opening as it read in 2005
Gilgul or gilgul neshamot or Gilgul'im neshamot refers to the concept of reincarnation within the Kabbalah of Judaism . in Hebrew , the word gilgul means "cycles" or "circles" and neshamot is the plural for "souls" of souls which are "cycled" through " lives or "incarnations" into the body . This is considered to be a deep "secret of nature" according to the esoteric kabbalah. The lowest part of the soul which is called the neshama is always a gilgul , like a "default life spark" within any living body. The classic kabbalah work Shaar ha Gilgulim ("Gate of Reincarnations") of Rabbi Isaac Luria , (written by his disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital ), describes these deep and very complex laws of reincarnation, (a process akin to physical " impregnation " and " pregnancy ") of the ibbur of five different parts of the soul. See Gilgul (game) about the role playing game . v t e1
This is Wikipedia's own text, saved in our repository. Their copy of it is revision 17010326.
The opening as it stood in 2010 5 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
In Hebrew , the word gilgul means "cycle" and neshamot is the plural for "souls." Souls are seen to "cycle" through " lives " or "incarnations", being attached to different human bodies over time.Which body they associate with depends on their particular task in the physical world, spiritual levels of the bodies of predecessors and so on.The concept relates to the wider processes of history in Kabbalah, involving Cosmic Tikkun (Messianic rectification), and the historical dynamic of ascending Lights and descending Vessels from generation to generation.The esoteric explanations of gilgul were articulated in Jewish mysticism by Isaac Luria in the 16th century, as part of the metaphysical purpose of Creation.
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 371253812.
The opening as it stood in 2015
In Hebrew , the word gilgul means "cycle" or "wheel" and neshamot is the plural for "souls." Souls are seen to "cycle" through " lives " or "incarnations", being attached to different human bodies over time. Which body they associate with depends on their particular task in the physical world, spiritual levels of the bodies of predecessors and so on. The concept relates to the wider processes of history in Kabbalah, involving Cosmic Tikkun (Messianic rectification), and the historical dynamic of ascending Lights and descending Vessels from generation to generation. The esoteric explanations of gilgul were articulated in Jewish mysticism by Isaac Luria in the 16th century, as part of the metaphysical purpose of Creation.
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 639626028.
The opening as it stood in 2020
Reincarnation in Kabbalah Not to be confused with Gilgal .Practices Torah study Mystical exegesis Mitzvot Minhag Customary immersion in mikveh Meditation Kavanot Teshuvah Deveikut Prayer Nusach Tikkun Chatzot Tikkun Leil Shavuot Pilgrimage to Tzadik Pilgrimage to holy grave Lag BaOmer at Meron Asceticism Rosicrucianism Practical Kabbalah People Role v t e Gilgul / Gilgul neshamot / Gilgulei Ha Neshamot ( Heb. , Plural: Gilgulim ) is a concept of reincarnation in Kabbalistic esoteric mysticism. In Hebrew , the word gilgul means "cycle" or "wheel" and neshamot is the plural for "souls." Souls are seen to cycle through lives or incarnations, being attached to different human bodies over time. Which body they associate with depends on their particular task in the physical world, spiritual levels of the bodies of predecessors and so on. The concept relates to the wider processes of history in Kabbalah, involving cosmic Tikkun (Messianic rectification), and the historical dynamic of ascending Lights and descending Vessels from generation to generation. The esoteric explanations of gilgul were articulated in Jewish mysticism by Isaac Luria in the 16th century, as part of the metaphysical purpose of Creation.
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 961735619.
The opening as it stood on October 6, 2023
Reincarnation in Kabbalah Not to be confused with Gilgal . Practices Torah study Mystical exegesis Mitzvot Minhag Customary immersion in mikveh Meditation Kavanot Teshuvah Deveikut Prayer Nusach Tikkun Chatzot Tikkun Leil Shavuot Pilgrimage to Tzadik Pilgrimage to holy grave Lag BaOmer at Meron Asceticism Rosicrucianism Practical Kabbalah People Role v t e Gilgul (also Gilgul neshamot or Gilgulei HaNeshamot ; Heb. גלגול הנשמות , Plural: גלגולים Gilgulim ) is a concept of reincarnation or "transmigration of souls " in Kabbalistic esoteric mysticism. In Hebrew , the word gilgul means "cycle" or "wheel" and neshamot is the plural for "souls." Souls are seen to cycle through lives or incarnations, being attached to different human bodies over time. Which body they associate with depends on their particular task in the physical world, spiritual levels of the bodies of predecessors and so on. The concept relates to the wider processes of history in Kabbalah, involving cosmic Tikkun (Messianic rectification), and the historical dynamic of ascending Lights and descending Vessels from generation to generation. The esoteric explanations of gilgul were articulated in Jewish mysticism by Isaac Luria in the 16th century, as part of the metaphysical purpose of Creation. Jewish Magic and Superstition .
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1169226346. This is our newest snapshot; the live article may have moved again since.
Today
Wikipedia's first sentence called it “plural for "souls" of souls which are "cycled" through " lives or "incarnations" into the body”. Today it says “concept of reincarnation or "transmigration of souls " in kabbalistic esoteric mysticism”. Read the current article and compare.
2005
2010
2015
2020
Oct '23
2025
Counts in the opening at each snapshot. Green: the word gained ground. Red: it was cut. Grey: no change.
What Wikipedia says this is
Every article opens by defining its subject. This one was redefined since 2005, and today's defining sentence is their current revision.
Then
plural for "souls" of souls which are "cycled" through " lives or "incarnations" into the body
Now
concept of reincarnation or "transmigration of souls " in kabbalistic esoteric mysticism
Struck red text is no longer in the article; dotted amber text was rewritten. Every revision id links to Wikipedia's copy; the text shown is our own saved copy. Data: /data. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA; quoted for the record; not affiliated with Wikipedia.