REL 306 - Jewish Mysticism: Kabbalah

1 course unit

This course will examine the place of mysticism in Jewish religion and literature. We will read a broad range of texts, including the ancient Sefer Yetzirah or Book of Creation, the theosophic imagery of the Zohar, the meditative techniques of Abraham Abulafia, the works of Isaac Luria and his disciples, and the writings of some of the eighteenth and nineteenth century Hasidic rabbis. Our goal will be to gain a more nuanced understanding of the nature of mystical phenomena in general with a special focus on how the Jewish tradition has been reshaped by mystical ideas and practices.
Meets general academic requirement R or HU.