A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader

Daniel M. Horwitz

U of Nebraska Press, 2016 - Religion - 576 pages

An annotated anthology of Jewish mystical works, concepts, and experiences. "A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader" explores issues relating to what has compelled Jews to seek a more intimate relationship with God. It does this by providing readings from the most important mystical texts, accompanied by Daniel M. Horwitz s insightful introductions and commentary. It is carefully designed to make the basic concepts and teachings of Jewish mysticism accessible to a wide audience and to ground these ideas within the broader Jewish tradition.
Horwitz s introduction describes five major types of Jewish mysticism and includes a brief chronology of its development, with a timeline. He begins with biblical prophecy and proceeds through the early mystical movements up through current beliefs. Chapters on 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 final chapter addresses today s controversies concerning mysticism s place within Judaism and its potential for enriching the religion.
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Contents

• PART 2 EARLY MYSTICAL PURSUITS: 25
• PART 3 BASIC CONCEPTS IN KABBALAH: 95
• PART 4 FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN KABBALAH: 159
• PART 5 ADDITIONAL ISSUES IN KABBALAH: 271
• PART 6 HASIDISM: 343
• PART 7 MYSTICISM ACTION AND REACTION: 415
• Suggestions for Further Reading: 453
• Notes: 457
• Glossary: 535
• Bibliography: 547
• Index: 569

About the author

Daniel M. Horwitzis chapel rabbi at Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston, Texas. He is a teacher at the Akiba Academy of Beth Yeshurun and the Houston Melton Adult Mini-School. "

Bibliographic information

• Title: A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader; JPS Anthologies of Jewish Thought
• Author: Daniel M. Horwitz
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: U of Nebraska Press, 2016
• ISBN: 0827612885, 9780827612884
• Length: 576 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Judaism / General; Religion / Judaism / Kabbalah & Mysticism; Religion / Judaism / Rituals & Practice