The Jewish Lives Podcast GERSHOM SCHOLEM
Jul 24, 2023
David Biale, historian and author of Gershom Scholem: Master of the Kabbalah, explores the revolutionary scholar’s life and ideas. They discuss Scholem’s discovery of Kabbalah, cultural Zionism, and his friendships with Martin Buber and Walter Benjamin. The conversation also examines Kafka as a secular Kabbalist, Sabbateanism, redemption through sin, and Scholem’s complex political legacy.
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Scholem Restored Myth To Jewish History
- Scholem reconstructed Judaism as a paradoxical blend of rational and irrational traditions rather than a purely logical religion.
- His history included whatever Jews thought or did, including mythic, outlandish, and even demonic movements.
Kabbalah Became A Zionist Renewal Project
- Scholem connected Kabbalah to cultural Zionism’s project of renewing Judaism through a living Jewish community in Palestine.
- He viewed mystical tradition as essential to escaping what he considered moribund diasporic Judaism.
Passion Made Kabbalah Compelling
- Scholem made Kabbalah accessible because his scholarship carried unusual passion rather than dry academic detachment.
- David Biale recalls carrying Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism around Israel because its engagement with the sources felt almost erotic.
