The Zohar is a collection of commentaries on the Torah that serves as the primary text for Jewish mysticism. For centuries, traditionalists maintained that the work was authored by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a Tannaite sage living in 2nd-century Roman-occupied Judea. This perspective emphasizes the divine inspiration and ancient lineage of the teachings contained within the text.

In contrast, modern historical-critical scholarship, led by figures like Gershom Scholem, argues that the Zohar was written in the 13th century by the Spanish Kabbalist Moses de León. Academics supporting this view point to linguistic evidence, such as the specific blend of Aramaic used in the text, and the absence of any historical mention of the Zohar prior to the late 1200s. Scholars argue that de León likely synthesized existing mystical traditions and his own theological insights to produce the work, attributing it to an ancient authority to grant it greater legitimacy and weight within the religious community.

These two perspectives remain in tension. Traditionalist circles often reject the academic consensus as an attempt to undermine the sanctity of the text, while academic historians maintain that the evidence for a medieval origin is overwhelming. The debate highlights a broader conflict between religious tradition and secular historical analysis regarding the origins of sacred literature.