Publisher's Synopsis
Demystifying Jewish mysticism
An annotated anthology of Jewish mystical works, concepts, and experiences.A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader explores issues relatingto what has compelled Jews to seek a more intimate relationship withGod. It does this by providing readings from the most important mysticaltexts, accompanied by Daniel M. Horwitz's insightful introductionsand commentary. It is carefully designed to make the basic conceptsand teachings of Jewish mysticism accessible to a wide audience andto ground these ideas within the broader Jewish tradition.
Horwitz's introduction describes five major types of Jewish mysticismand includes a brief chronology of its development, with atimeline. He begins with biblical prophecy and proceeds throughthe early mystical movements up through current beliefs. Chapterson key subjects characterize mystical expression through the ages,such as Creation and deveikut (“cleaving to God”), the role of Torah,the erotic, inclinations toward good and evil, magic, prayer and ritual,and more. Later chapters deal with Hasidism, the great mystical revival,and twentieth-century mystics, including Abraham Isaac Kook,Kalonymous Kalman Shapira, and Abraham Joshua Heschel. A finalchapter addresses today's controversies concerning mysticism's placewithin Judaism and its potential for enriching the religion.
