Idel's thesis is that the role of the golem concept in Judaism was to confer an exceptional status to the Jewish elite by bestowing it with the capability of supernatural powers deriving from profound knowledge of the Hebrew language and its magical and mystical values. This book is the first comprehensive treatment of the whole range of material dealing with creation of the golem beginning with late antiquity and ending with modern time. The author explores the relationship between these discussions and their historical and intellectual framework. Since there was in the medieval period a variety of traditions concerning the golem, it is plausible to assume that the techniques for creating this creature developed much earlier. This presentation focuses on the precise techniques for creating an artificial human, an issue previously neglected in the literature. A complete survey of the conceptions of the golem in North European and Spanish literature in medieval times, allows not only better understanding of the phenomenon, but also of the history of Jewish magic and mysticism in the Middle Ages. The Jewish and Christian treatments of the golem in renaissance are explored as part of the renaissance concern for human nature.

Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism is a clear, accessible "primer" and introduction to the major teachings of the Jewish mystics, to various dominant forms of Jewish mystical experiences, as well as to many of the significant texts that constitute classical Jewish mystical literature, and to their authors. Rather than provide an historical approach, this introduction to Jewish mysticism delineates five "models" of Jewish mystical theology and experience: Normal Mysticism, Mystical Intimacy, Addressing God's Needs, Drawing Down Divine Grace, and Prophetic Kabbalah. Sherwin not only presents primary texts in translation, but also offers an explanation of each selection and provides a bibliography for further study.

Reimagining the Bible collects a dozen essays by Howard Schwartz. Together the essays present a coherent theory of the way in which each successive phase of Jewish literature has drawn upon and reimagined the previous ones. The book is organized into four sections: The Ancient Models; The Folk Tradition; Mythic Echoes; Modern Jewish Literature and the Ancient Models. Within these divisions, each of the essays focuses on a specific genre, ranging from Torah and Aggadah to Kabbalah, fairy tales, and the modern Yiddish stories of S.Y. Agnon and Isaac Bashevis Singer. Arguing the important thesis that there is a continuity in Jewish literature which extends from the Biblical era to our own times, over a period of more than 3,000 years, this collection also serves as a guide to the history of that literature, and to the genres it comprises.

Maimonides' vision of Judaism was deeply elitist, but at the same time profoundly universalistic. He was highly critical of the regnant Jewish culture of his day, which he perceived as so heavily influenced by ancient Jewish mysticism as to be debased. While focusing on that critique, Kellner skilfully and accessibly demonstrates how Maimonides used philosophy in order to purify a corrupted and paganized religion and to present distinctions fundamental to Judaism as institutional, sociological, and historical, rather than ontological. In Maimonides' hands, metaphysical distinctions are translated into moral challenges.

A comprehensive treatment of visionary experience in some of the main texts of Jewish mysticism, this book reveals the overwhelmingly visual nature of religious experience in Jewish spirituality from antiquity through the late Middle Ages. Using phenomenological and critical historical tools, Wolfson examines Jewish mystical texts from late antiquity, pre-kabbalistic sources from the tenth to the twelfth centuries, and twelfth- and thirteenth-century kabbalistic literature.

Product Description (EN) Three centuries ago, David Nieto entrusted to the Sephardic community in London some of the secrets behind the Merkabah, a divine Chariot seen by the Hebrew Biblical prophets. In the oldest synagogue of the United Kingdom, Bevis Marks, Nieto addressed the congregation in Judeo-Spanish and revealed in a poetic sermon the meaning behind Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot and its mystical ascent into heaven. His glorification of poverty, according to Kabbalah, sparked great controversy with the materialistic mainstream thought of 18th-century England. Triumphs of Poverty was buried in time and the publication was never translated into English. This first unabridged bilingual edition has been expanded to include various sources omitted in the original transcript.David Nieto (Venice, 1654 – London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian.Nieto published in 1704, "A Tractate about the Divine Providence, i.e. Universal Nature or Natura Naturante" (translated by the author); "The Triumph of Poverty" in 1709; "Matteh Dan" in 1714; "Esh Daat" (The Fire of Knowledge), in 1715; "Recondite Notice of the Inquisition of Spain and Portugal" 1728. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. An inscription on his grave reads: "Sublime theologian, profound sage, a distinguished physician, a famous astronomer, sweet poet, elegant preacher, subtle logician, ingenious physician, fluent rhetorician, pleasant author, an expert in languages, learned in history."(ES) Hace 300 años David Nieto confió a la comunidad Sefardita en Londres algunos de los secretos de la Merkabá , la carroza divina vista por los profetas hebreos. En la sinagoga más antigua del Reino Unido, Bevis Marks, Nieto se dirigió a la congregación en Judeoespañol y reveló en un poético sermón el significado tras la visión de Ezequiel, la carroza y su místico ascenso al cielo. Su glorificación de la pobreza, según la Cábala, desencadenó gran controversia frente al pensamiento materialista dominante en la Inglaterra del siglo XVIII. Los Triunfos de la Pobreza fueron enterrados en el tiempo y su publicación nunca fue traducida al inglés. Esta primera traducción íntegra bilingüe ha sido ampliada para incluir varias fuentes omitidas en el facsímil original. About the Author David Nieto (Venice, 1654 – London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian. Nieto published in 1704, "A Tractate about the Divine Providence, i.e. Universal Nature or Natura Naturante" (translated by the author); "The Triumph of Poverty" in 1709; "Matteh Dan" in 1714; "Esh Daat" (The Fire of Knowledge), in 1715; "Recondite Notice of the Inquisition of Spain and Portugal" 1728. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. David Nieto (Venice, 1654 – London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian. Nieto published in 1704, "A Tractate about the Divine Providence, i.e. Universal Nature or Natura Naturante" (translated by the author); "The Triumph of Poverty" in 1709; "Matteh Dan" in 1714; "Esh Daat" (The Fire of Knowledge), in 1715; "Recondite Notice of the Inquisition of Spain and Portugal" 1728. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. An inscription on his grave reads: Sublime theologian, profound sage, a distinguished physician, a famous astronomer, sweet poet, elegant preacher, subtle logician, ingenious physician,

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1897 Edition.

First Published in 1998. This is the proceedings of the International Conference held by The Institute of Jewish Studies, University College London, 1994, in Celebration of its Fortieth Anniversary. Dedicated to the memory and academic legacy of its Founder Alexander Altmann.

Joel Goldsmith studied the spiritual literature of the world and he writes, "Insofar as I have observed from my study of the spiritual literature of the world, the truth stated in this book has never been fully revealed before, yet it is the absolute basis for true spiritual living." The Thunder of Silence is based on the principle that there is an inner Grace available to all that does not operate through or by physical might or mental powers. Most people are not aware of this Grace, but when It is consciously realized, it will bring into expression everything that is necessary to our unfoldment. But, Goldsmith says, there is a price: this Grace operates only when we are willing to relinquish faith in anything and everything less than God - even faith in the "God" the world thinks it knows. In the first part of The Thunder of Silence, Goldsmith presents the vision of this spiritual way of life and invites the reader to come into the awareness of the abiding Presence within. In the second part of the book, he treads confidently into the often puzzling subject of mind, answering the many questions that always surround that topic. The whole secret, says Goldsmith, lies in "making the transition from a thinking human mind to a mind at rest in a state of awareness." In the third part of the book, Goldsmith gives the reader an illumined interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, which reveals the innermost secrets to attaining the realization of the Presence within. Effortlessly relating the Infinite Way principles to this extraordinary teaching of Jesus, Goldsmith works extensively with its challenging passages and reveals their deep meanings. He shows how practicing these ancient principles can help us to live in the world, but not of it. If we are fed by meditation in the blessed Silence that thunders with Truth, he says, we can live by the grace of God as the Light of the world. Speaking about The Thunder of Silence, Goldsmith says, "It is a radical book. It will blow sky-high concepts of God that have been built up over the centuries." But he cautions: "Readers of this book cannot expect that the mere reading of it will enable them to live by its revealed principles. Those who feel a thrill of recognition in their first reading should make this book their constant companion day and night until their materialistic state of consciousness begins to yield." The Thunder of Silence will surely be a great help to spiritual seekers who want to reach that state of consciousness in which they can truthfully say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."

The Gnostic Imagination is the first comprehensive study of the relationship between Gnosticism and Merkabah mysticism. It includes an exhaustive analysis of Gershom Scholem's views on the subject, an analytical survey of other secondary literature, and a focused examination of primary sources. The work explores a wide range of topics including myth, exegesis, ascent traditions, and cosmology. Although the main focus is on western Gnostic traditions and Merkabah mysticism, the book also includes relevant material from Mandaeism and from later stages of Jewish mysticism such as German Pietism and Kabbalah. Not only is this volume the first to survey and evaluate the history of scholarship on this complex subject, but it also creates new pathways for future studies by illuminating the crucial methodological and topical issues in the field.

About the Book Books about Mysticism discuss the practice of religious ecstasies, the search for ultimate or hidden truths, and the transformation of humans to a spiritually elevated state of being. Titles include: An Introduction to the Mystical Life, At One with the Invisible: Studies in Mysticism, Der Ursprung der Naturphilosophie aus dem Geiste der Mystik, Mysticism: its true nature and value, The Influence of the Zodiac Upon Human Life, Spanish Mystics, and Gleanings of a mystic. About us Trieste Publishing's aim is to provide readers with the highest quality reproductions of fiction and non-fiction literature that has stood the test of time. Our titles are produced from scans of the original books and as a result may sometimes have imperfections. To ensure a high-quality product we have: thoroughly reviewed every page of all the books in the catalog repaired some of the text in some cases, and rejected titles that are not of the highest quality. You can look up "Trieste Publishing" in categories that interest you to find other titles in our large collection. Come home to the books that made a difference