By
– August 30, 2011
Throughout Jewish history, unique individuals have had mystical experiences. The true mystic engages in a solitary pursuit (with the exception of the Qumran community). He rarely speaks of it, but often writes about it, if only to be able to duplicate the experience again. The scholarly exploration of Jewish mystical texts reached its florescence with Gershom Scholem and is now well established in many universities.
When did the pursuit of mystical experiences begin? What is the nature of the Jewish mystical experience? What is the earliest documentary evidence? This volume traces the earliest sources from the prophet Ezekiel’s vision known as the Merkavah or heavenly chariot.
Professor Peter Schäfer, one of the most distinguished living experts on the Hekhalot (lit. God’s chambers) literature and Merkavah mysticism, presents an authoritative and thorough exposition of his understanding of the origins of Jewish mysticism. He provides a detailed analysis of most of the relevant texts, from Ezekiel’s visions, the Enochic literature and related Old Testament pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the works of Philo of Alexandria, the rabbinic texts, and a selection of the major Hekhalot collections. Ultimately the diversity of these sources leads him to doubt our ability to find a category into which to fit them all, although he does suggest that all seek to bridge the gap between heaven and earth and lead to the loving and approachable God.
He puts great emphasis on approaching God through exegesis and exegetical exercises as opposed to ecstatic experiences. However, he does describe, in great detail, the various forms of ascent, the different spheres of Heaven, the angels one meets on the way, and the various experiences that are beyond what is apparent to physical perception in order to open up perceptions of other dimensions of existence. The Hekhalot literature seems to consists largely of instruction manuals presenting ritual praxes that readers may use to control angelic beings so as to obtain divine revelations and visions.
The Rabbis were well aware of these otherworldly excursions and discouraged all but the very select few from even contemplating them. Jewish mystical experiences can be wonderful, and illuminating, but they are also very dangerous to the uninitiated. The book is filled with interesting and original insights based on a lifetime of study of these texts. It is not a book for beginners. Caveat lector!
When did the pursuit of mystical experiences begin? What is the nature of the Jewish mystical experience? What is the earliest documentary evidence? This volume traces the earliest sources from the prophet Ezekiel’s vision known as the Merkavah or heavenly chariot.
Professor Peter Schäfer, one of the most distinguished living experts on the Hekhalot (lit. God’s chambers) literature and Merkavah mysticism, presents an authoritative and thorough exposition of his understanding of the origins of Jewish mysticism. He provides a detailed analysis of most of the relevant texts, from Ezekiel’s visions, the Enochic literature and related Old Testament pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the works of Philo of Alexandria, the rabbinic texts, and a selection of the major Hekhalot collections. Ultimately the diversity of these sources leads him to doubt our ability to find a category into which to fit them all, although he does suggest that all seek to bridge the gap between heaven and earth and lead to the loving and approachable God.
He puts great emphasis on approaching God through exegesis and exegetical exercises as opposed to ecstatic experiences. However, he does describe, in great detail, the various forms of ascent, the different spheres of Heaven, the angels one meets on the way, and the various experiences that are beyond what is apparent to physical perception in order to open up perceptions of other dimensions of existence. The Hekhalot literature seems to consists largely of instruction manuals presenting ritual praxes that readers may use to control angelic beings so as to obtain divine revelations and visions.
The Rabbis were well aware of these otherworldly excursions and discouraged all but the very select few from even contemplating them. Jewish mystical experiences can be wonderful, and illuminating, but they are also very dangerous to the uninitiated. The book is filled with interesting and original insights based on a lifetime of study of these texts. It is not a book for beginners. Caveat lector!
Wallace Greene, Ph.D., has held several university appointments, and currently writes and lectures on Jewish and historical subjects.
