Abelson puts the kabbalah into context as the outgrowth of a longterm evolution of jewish mystical thought. Practical kabbalah in historical judaism, is a branch of the jewish mystical tradition that concerns the. The reason for this will be apparent when one thinks of the many centuries of variegated thought that have had to be packed within the small number of pages allotted to the book. Methodological relections aimed at redeining early jewish magic, in shaul shaked, ed. Kabbalism is a system of jewish mysticism and magic and is the foundational element in modern witchcraft. The forbidden books of jewish magic books fraught with dangercurses, secrets, marvelous cures, diviners, demonscaused political intrigue and censorship in the fall of 1995, while working on my dissertation in jerusalem, i learned that an important magical compendium by the 17thcentury rabbi moses zacuto, shorshei. Horwitzs insightful introductions and commentary accompany readings in the talmud and zohar and writings by baal shem tov. An erudite and lively compendium of jewish magical beliefs, practices, texts, and individuals.
More of a distinction between exoteric and esotereic expressions of religion. This book is concerned with the mystics of the christian tradition, those who have gained the direct experience of the divine. I discuss the various texts associated, however loosely, with the hekhalot corpus, with. Jewish mysticism and magic an anthropological perspective 1st edition by maureen bloom and publisher routledge. Dennis published on jan 14, 2016 jewish esotericism is. This wideranging study provides a unique anthropological perspective on jewish mysticism and magic and will be essential reading for students and scholars who are interested in jewish studies, anthropology and mysticism. Kaduri appears to have been a secret christian, as shown by some of his students conversions, as well as two notes he left. An introduction to western esoteric traditions is an ambitious recasting of the gnostic insight that has inspired and influenced countless writers through the ages. By the th century, jewish culture was ripe for a new breed of mysticism to flourish.
Jewish mysticism is an umbrella term which covers a range of theories regarding the godhead, as well as practices and beliefs extending. Early forms of jewish mysticism rachel elior i introduction the mysticalpoetical hebrew works of the first five centuries of the common era, known collectively as heikhalot heavenly sanctuaries and merkavah thronechariot literature remain on the whole a closed book to readers and students, although the first scholarly studies were published. Idel, on judaism, jewish mysticism and magic, in p. Jewish esotericism is the oldest and most influential continuous occult tradition in the west.
The encyclopedia of jewish myth magic and mysticism. Golden, director of the jewish studies program, university of north texas, and editor of. The publication of practical or useful magicomystical worksshimush usage being one of the most common terms for licit magic in the. In addition, it places jungs interest in the jewish mystical tradition against the background of what many have. Feb 29, 2016 jewish mysticism is an umbrella term which covers a range of theories regarding the godhead, as well as practices and beliefs extending beyond the requirements of standard judaism. Everything we say when speaking about him or his sefirot refers only to his will as expressed through his actions. The areas of jewish thought that most extensively discuss these issues, kabbalah and jewish mysticism, were traditionally not even taught to people until the age of 40, when they had completed their education in written torah and oral torah in other words, in bible and practical law. He was a prolific writer on the subject, and his writings are widely available and wellrespected by both jews and nonjews. This book explores rituals, spells and important motifs of jewish love magic. Arthur versluis, one of the generations more prolific scholars of esotericism, has produced a volume that is both comprehensive in scope and exacting in detail. Agata paluch by looking into jewish mystical texts and the use of names in jewish magic, dr agata paluch considers the use of divine and angelic names to gain special powers, cast magic, or even attain unification with god. Kabbalistic visions explores jungs 1944 kabbalistic visions, the impact of jewish mysticism on jungian psychology, and jungs archetypal interpretation of kabbalistic symbolism. Merkavah mystics attempted to achieve a vision of the divine throne, or chariot merkavah, described in the first chapter of the biblical book of ezekiel.
Or, to take another example, the emergence of ideas, concepts or beliefs might be investigated as the result of expe. What is the difference between magic and mysticism. However, the central problem in the study of mystics and of mysticism remains one of definition, for there is an astonishingly wide variety of connotations associated with those terms, which was pointed out from. Mysticism is a way of looking at the world, seeing all of creation as a mystery, and acknowledging that it is a mystery, and special for being mystical. It was honored by both the jewish book council and the association of jewish librarians, and it received enthusiastic popular interest. A kabbalah and jewish mysticism reader book description.
Judaism did not have a separate category of mysticism i. Mysticism, magic and kabbalah in ashkenazi judaism international symposium held in frankfurt a. This is an elaboration of his columbia university ph. They teach us about our spirituality, values, unselfishness, abilities and interaction with everything around us. A volume in the jps anthologies of jewish thought series. This superb, comprehensive encyclopedia belongs in every serious library.
Jewish mysticism kabbalah, is based on the public revelation at sinai, when the torah was given to israel. Students of religion are aware that the same ritual act can have. Vision of ezekiel raphael mysticism is not new to judaism. Jewish mysticism rather than a solid presentation of the subject as a whole. Horwitzs insightful introductions and commentary accompany. Jasons handy jewish magic reference guide if youre jewish and you live in the u. Jewish mysticism, jewish magic, magical bowls, merkhavah, hekhalot, structural. Publication date 19 topics mysticism judaism, cabala publisher london, g. They shed light upon those areas of peoples life that we know little about. Mystical experiences, ascetic practices 255 part 5. While not something youd ever want to read cover to once upon a time, i read edward erdelacs merkabah rider series and was bowled over by the awesomeness, the combination of pulp western and jewish mystacism. By looking into jewish mystical texts and the use of names in jewish magic, dr agata paluch considers the use of divine and angelic names to gain special powers, cast magic, or even attain unification with god.
Of these, kabbalah, which emerged in 12thcentury europe, is the most well known, but not the only typologic form, or the earliest to emerge. Notes on the study of merkabah mysticism and hekhalot. The encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic and mysticism by. Both talmudic and kabbalistic schools emphasize the need of mentors or masters, wellfamiliar with the experiential territory. Thrones, chariots, and the vision of god ezekiels vision ezekiel glossary wed.
The encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic, and mysticism presents lore that can spiritually enrich the life of anyone, jewish or not, who wishes to understand the mysteries that underlie our universe. The encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic and mysticism is an exhaustive collection of various entries from jewish myth and its fascinating. This is awkward, since it is not clear that kabbalah is really mystical. Merkavah mystics attempted to achieve a vision of the divine throne, or chariot merkavah, described in. Presenting lore that can spiritually enrich your life, this oneofakind encyclopedia is devoted to the esoteric in judaismthe miraculous and the mysterious. Angels and demons rabbi menachem wolf, spiritgrow josef kryss center. I n the decades of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the hottest spiritual trend was the new age movement.
Dennis published on jan 14, 2016 jewish esotericism is the oldest and most influential continuous occult tradition. Kabbalah and jewish mysticism torah 101 mechon mamre. It dates back at least to the 6th century bce with ezekiels visions of the divine chariot called merkavah. On talismanic language in jewish mysticism sage journals. This means, more or less, that your rabbi likely left out all the coolest parts of judaism. Ritual and purity in early jewish mysticism and magic cambridge. Nevertheless, an extremely useful generic map of the inscape of mysticism was developed in jewish. In the visionary literature that circulated between the fifth and ninth centuries, there are strange tales of ancient rabbis conjuring the angel known assartorah, the prince of the torah. The power of language in jewish kabbalah and magic. Not just kabbalah, but earlier mystical and magical traditions. Virtually all of the great witches and sorcerers of this century were kabbalists. There is quite a bit of overlap between kabbalistic mysticism and orthodox christian mysticism. There is a nice online introductory kabbalah course available from at kabbalah 101. The encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic and mysticism geoffrey w.
His book with llewellyn, the encyclopedia of myth, magic, and mysticism, has been selected as a runner up in the 2007 national jewish book award, and received honorable mention in the jewish library association 2007 book awards. Jewish magical spells and formulae and the persistence of their symbolic signi. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. Trachtenbergs appreciation of the role of folk magic in jewish culture is important for the study of judaism, and also the roots of modern pagan beliefs and practices. The encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic and mysticism. Merkavah mysticism was the main strand of early jewish mysticism. The encyclopedia of jewish myth magic and mysticism pdf. The torah in turn serves as the exclusive criterion for any subsequent claims and teachings. The prevailing opinionamong theologians as well as in the mind of the ordinary manseems to be that judaism and mysticism stand at the opposite poles of thought, and that, therefore, such a phrase as jewish mysticism is a glaring and indefensible contradiction in terms. The term kabbalah refers to a particular variety of jewish mysticism, which first emerged in the 12thcentury ce in provence and catalonia. An unprecedented annotated anthology of the most important jewish mystical works,a kabbalah and jewish mysticism readeris designed to facilitate teaching these works to all levels of learners in adult education and college classroom settings. Jewish mysticism explained exploring kabbalah youtube. His beliefs related to christianity do not sound completely normal though as roi tov explained.
For the development of the jewish mystical perceptions of the hidden mean. In exploring the social background of early jewish mysticism,scholastic magictells the story of how imagination and magic were made to serve memory and scholasticism. Mysticism, magic, and kabbalah are integral parts of judaism and are essential in the life of every jewish person. Academic study of jewish mysticism, especially since gershom scholems major trends in jewish mysticism 1941, distinguishes between different forms of mysticism across different eras of jewish history. Kabbalah jewish mysticism iii spirituality and kabbalah 4 although the literal translation of the word chamushim is armed, the commentators also adduce explanations on the level of drash. Magic, the bible, and the biblical imagination in jewish. Jewish mysticism and magic 1st edition 9780415421126. Jewish mysticism differs radically from all other mystic schools. An unprecedented annotated anthology of the most important jewish mystical works, a kabbalah and jewish mysticism reader is designed to facilitate teaching these works to all levels of learners in adult education and college classroom settings. Kabbalah jewish mysticism ii 3 spirituality and kabbalah of the infinite, blessed be he. The encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic, and mysticism was released in 2007 to remarkable reception. Kabbalah is often used as a synonym for jewish mysticism throughout history.
Mar 08, 2017 jewish esotericism is the oldest and most influential continuous occult tradition in the west. Presenting lore that can spiritually enrich your life, this oneofakind encyclopedia is devoted to the esoteric in judaism. In the visionary literature that circulated between the fifth and ninth centuries, there are strange tales of ancient rabbis conjuring the angel known as sartorah, the prince. Kabbalah and mysticism kabbalah the inner wisdom, the essence of god is at the heart of jewish mysticism.
For an academic and scholarly information about jewish mysticism and kabbalah, check out the works of professor gershom scholem. This is the rule pertaining to any study of kabbalah. The early jewish mystics did not even have a concept such as mysticism and never thought their experiences so abnormal as to require a special term. Mystics of the christian tradition magic mushrooms shrooms. Though traces of jewish mystical traditions can be found from the late second temple period 536 bce 70 ce, most scholars begin their histories of jewish mysticism around the first century of the first millennium merkavah mysticism was the main strand of early jewish mysticism. Linguistic magic can be divided into three major categories. Jan 01, 2007 the encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic and mysticism is an exhaustive collection of various entries from jewish myth and its fascinating. The university of colorado boulders peak to peak lecture series and the cu carbondale speakers series present a talk with cu boulder professor samuel boyd titled magic, the bible, and the biblical imagination in jewish mysticism saturday, april 15, 5. Matt, the encyclopedia of jewish myth, magic and my. Ascensions on high in jewish mysticism cultural centers. The historical event of sinai attests to the divine source and nature of the torah and jewish mysticism.