Journal of the World Union of Jewish Studies: Jewish Studies vol. 52/2017, special issue: Early Jewish Mysticism

About the Journal

Jewish Studies is the prestigious academic journal of the World Union of Jewish Studies, bringing together the world's leading scholars in the field of Jewish thought, religion, and history. Volume 52/2017 is entirely devoted to one of the most captivating and mysterious chapters of Jewish mysticism — Merkabah and Hekhalot literature.

These ancient texts, describing visionary journeys to the divine chariot (Merkabah) and the celestial palaces (Hekhalot), represent a unique spiritual tradition that bridged biblical prophecy and later Kabbalah. This volume offers a rare opportunity to encounter cutting-edge international scholarship on these fascinating sources.

Contents

English Section

• Michael Schneider — Seventy Names and Seventy Books: Fourth Ezra and Hekhalot Literature An analysis of the connections between the apocalyptic book of Fourth Ezra and the Hekhalot tradition.

• Don Karr — Notes on the Study of Merkabah Mysticism and Hekhalot Literature in English A comprehensive bibliographic overview of English-language scholarship on Merkabah mysticism — an indispensable guide for researchers.

• Abstracts of Hebrew-section articles

Hebrew Section

• Ithamar Gruenwald — Afterthoughts on the Study of the Merkavah Literature Reflections from one of the foremost experts on Jewish mysticism.

• Shraga Bar-On & Yakir Paz — "The Lord of All" and "The Creator of the World": Aleinu le-Shabeach as an Anti-Binitarian Prayer A new interpretation of one of Judaism's most important prayers in the context of early theological controversies.

• Israel Knohl — The Chariot, the Righteous Man and Satan: Towards Resolving the Puzzle of Sefer HaBahir An original contribution to the debate on one of the earliest Kabbalistic texts.

• Gideon Bohak — Neologisms in Hekhalot Literature A linguistic analysis of unique terminology in the Hekhalot texts.

• Yaron Zini — The Different Layers of Hekhalot Literature: Results of Linguistic Research Insights into the complex stratification of the Hekhalot corpus through linguistic methods.

• Tzahi Weiss — The God of Israel — a Prince before God: The Sources and the Meaning of an Early Medieval Jewish Mythical Tradition An examination of an intriguing and little-known early medieval Jewish mythological tradition.

• Joseph Dan — From Hekhalot Rabbati to the Hekhalot of the Zohar: The Depersonalization of the Mysticism of the Divine Chariot A study tracing the transformation of the Merkabah mystical tradition through to the Zohar.

• Moshe Idel — The Heikhalot Literature, the Ecstatic-Mystical Model and their Metamorphoses A contribution from one of the world's greatest living authorities on Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism.

Who Is This Volume For?

• Scholars and students of Jewish studies, religious studies, and the history of mysticism
• Anyone interested in the origins of Kabbalah and Jewish esoteric tradition
• Researchers of late antique and early medieval Judaism
• Collectors of academic journals in the field of Judaic studies