What is Jewish Mysticism?

Jan 5, 2024

Explore Jewish mysticism beyond Kabbalah, from Merkava to theosophical Kabbalah. Delve into key texts like Safer Yitzhira and Sverhaba, and the teachings of Abraham Abolafia. Discover the evolution of Kabbalah with Cordovero and Luria, and the diverse perspectives in Safed. Witness the revival of Chasidism, its impact on mysticism, and the enduring legacy of Jewish mysticism.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Exploring the Roots of Jewish Mysticism

02:37 • 16min

Exploring the Origins and Evolution of Jewish Mysticism

18:30 • 1min

Exploring Key Texts and Figures in Jewish Mysticism

19:57 • 26min

Exploring Mystical Teachings on Imitating God and Divine Attributes

45:58 • 2min

Evolution of Kabbalah: Cordovero and Luria

48:14 • 5min

The Evolution of Jewish Mysticism: From Disagreements to Revival

52:52 • 17min

Exploring the Evolution and Significance of Jewish Mysticism

01:09:54 • 3min

We continue our series on mysticism by exploring Judaism and its mystical tradition, including the famous Kabbalah but also going beyond it.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Dan, Joseph (1986). "The Early Kabbalah". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.

Fine, Lawrence (2003). "Physician of the Soul, Healer of the Cosmos: Isaac Luria and His Kabbalistic Fellowship". Stanford University Press.

Idel, Moshe (1987). "The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia". State University of New York Press.

Idel, Moshe (1988). "Studies in Ecstatic Kabbalah". State University of New York Press.

Idel, Moshe (1990). "Kabbalah: New Perspectives". Yale University Press.

Idel, Moshe (1995). "Hasidism: Between Ecstacy and Magic". SUNY Press.

Kaplan, Aryeh (translated by) (1990). "The Bahir: Illumination". Red Wheel/Weiser; Revised ed. edition.

Kraemer, Joel L. (2010). "Maimonides: The Life and World of one of Civilization's Greatest Minds". Doubleday & Co Inc.

Krassen, Mosheh Aaron. “Introduction: Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov: Prophet of a New Paradigm.” In Israel ben Eliezer. Pillar of Prayer. Translated by Menachem Kallus. Louisville, KY: Fons Vitae, 2010.

Lobel, Diana (2021). "Moses and Abraham Maimonides: Encountering the Divine". Academic Studies Press.

Miller, Moshe (translated by) (1994). "The Palm Tree of Devorah". Targum.

Russ-Fishbane, Elisha (2015). "Judaism, Sufism, and the Pietists of Medieval Egypt: A study of Abraham Maimonides and his times". Oxford University Press. Scholem, Gershom (1995). "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism". Schocken Books; Revised edition.

Scholem, Gershom (1996). "On the Kabbalah and its Symbolism". Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Revised ed. edition.

Wolfson, Elliot R. (1997). “Jewish mysticism: A Philosophical Overview,” in History of Jewish Philosophy, Daniel Frank, Oliver Leaman (eds.).

Wolfson, Eliot R. (2011). “Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia and the Prophetic Kabbalah”. In Jewish Mysticism & Kabbalah (ed. Frederick E. Greenspahn). New York University Press.

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