Origins of the KabbalahWith the publication of The Origins of the Kabbalah in 1950, one of the most important scholars of our century brought the obscure world of Jewish mysticism to a wider audience for the first time. A crucial work in the oeuvre of Gershom Scholem, this book details the beginnings of the Kabbalah in twelfth- and thirteenth-century southern France and Spain, showing its rich tradition of repeated attempts to achieve and portray direct experiences of God. The Origins of the Kabbalah is a contribution not only to the history of Jewish medieval mysticism, but also to the study of medieval mysticism in general. Now with a new foreword by David Biale, this book remains essential reading for students of the history of religion. |
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Abraham according aeons already angels appears Azriel Bahir become beginning Blind Book called cause century circle commentary completely conception concerning connection contains corresponds created creation designated developed direct discussion divine doctrine elements emanation en-sof everything evidently example existence explained expression Ezra fact German Gerona gnostic hand Hebrew hidden hokhmah ideas important interpretation Isaac Israel Jacob Jewish Kabbalah kabbalistic kind known language later letter light literature magical manner manuscripts matter means mentioned Merkabah Metatron Moses mysteries mystical Nahmanides nature origin passage paths perhaps possible potencies prayer precisely present preserved primordial Provence question quotation quoted refers regard remains represents scholars seems Sefer sefirah sefiroth sense seven Shekhinah Sophia souls speaks spirit symbolism talmudic term things thought tion Torah tradition translation tree writings Yesirah