I. What Is a Canon?
Scripture, canon, and lectionary use are not the same thing. A book can be read in worship for centuries without being canon.
II. How the Old Testament Canon Formed
Torah, Prophets, and Writings took shape over centuries. The Septuagint preserved a wider collection. Rabbinic Judaism, after 70 CE, consolidated a narrower list.
III. Canon Status by Tradition
The Hekhalot texts and Jewish magical texts are not canonical in any tradition. They are part of the broader corpus of Jewish mystical and magical literature.
IV. Why These Texts Still Matter
The Hekhalot literature is essential for understanding the development of Jewish mysticism, the Merkavah tradition, and the background of medieval Kabbalah.
V. How to Read Responsibly
Check date, provenance, language, and genre. Distinguish "not canonical" from "worthless." Avoid proof-texting.