Beholders of divine secrets : mysticism and myth in the Hekhalot and merkavah literature / Vita Daphna Arbel.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Arbel, Vita Daphna.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mysticism--Judaism.

Mysticism.

Hekhalot literature--History and criticism.

Hekhalot literature.

Merkava.

Jewish mythology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (263 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany, N.Y. : State University of New York Press, c2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Beholders of Divine Secrets provides a fascinating exploration of the enigmatic Hekhalot and Merkavah literature, the Jewish mystical writings of late antiquity. Vita Daphna Arbel delves into the unique nature of the mystical teachings, experiences, revelations, and spiritual exegesis presented in this literature. While previous scholarship has demonstrated the connection between Hekhalot and Merkavah mysticism and parallel traditions in Rabbinical writings, the Dead Sea Scrolls, apocalyptic, early Christian, and Gnostic sources, this work points out additional mythological traditions that resonate in this literature. Arbel suggests that mythological patterns of expression, as well as themes and models rooted in Near Eastern mythological traditions are employed, in a spiritualized fashion, to communicate mystical content. The possible cultural and social context of the Hekhalot and Merkavah mysticism and its composers is discussed.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

The Hekhalot and Merkavah Literature and its Mystical Tradition

Hekhalot and Merkavah Mysticism

Mythical Language of Hekhalot and Merkavah Mysticism

Mystical Journeys in Mythological Language

The Concept of God

Literary, Phenomenological, Cultural, and Social Implications

Notes

Bibliography

Index of Passages Discussed

Index of Authors

General Index

Notes:

Based on a doctoral thesis submitted to the Hebrew University, Jerusalem in 1997.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-235) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780791486856

0791486850

9781417537419

1417537418

OCLC:

794701275