Sefer HaIkkarim (2:28.13) Nahmanides, has said by way of admonition that the words of the Cabalists can not be understood or known by any kind of reason or intelligence, but only through oral communication by a wise Cabalist to an intelligent person. Independent opinion in the matter is folly and the cause of great harm. This is what Nahmanides says in his commentary on the Pentateuch. To sum up, Take heed unto thyself and be very careful lest thou be caught and fall into their snare, for they forsake the paths of uprightness and walk in ways of darkness. For those who make a study of the Cabala independently, without having an oral tradition from a learned Cabalist, know and understand nothing and walk in darkness.
But Chassidic movement have changed this , especially Chabad, who decided it is time to go public with Kabbalah, and any young rabbi, bochur or baal habayis can teach kabbalah to the layman, BT, or even totally secular Jew. So the situation has changed since 900 years ago - when there was transmission from the very great masters such as Nachmanides or Rabad of posquieres.
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