The Enlightened Will Shine

Symbolization and Theurgy in the Later Strata of the Zohar

By Pinchas Giller

Subjects: Judaica
Series: SUNY series in Judaica: Hermeneutics, Mysticism, and Religion
Paperback : 9780791417126, 198 pages, September 1993
Hardcover : 9780791417119, 198 pages, October 1993

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Table of contents

Preface

Chapter 1. Tiqqunei ha-Zohar and Ra'aya Meheimna in Context

Chapter 2. The Hermeneutics of Theosophical Kabbalah: The Symbolization of Sacred Text

Chapter 3. The Maskilim: Mystical Vocation in the Tiqqunim

Chapter 4. The Myth of Chaos

Chapter 5. Halakhah and Kabbalah

Chapter 6. The Theurgic Dimension of the Commandments

Chapter 7. Agencies of Unification: The Sabbath and Prayer

Conclusions

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Description

This book analyzes the use of symbolism and theurgy in two sections of the Zohar, the central text of the kabbalah. These compositions, Tiqqunei ha-Zohar and Ra'aya Meheimna have been particularly loved by kabbalists. Giller demonstrates the significance of their contributions to theosophical kabbalah.

Pinchas Giller is an Assistant Professor of Classics at Washington University. He is currently editing the critical edition of Tiqqunei ha-Zohar for the Zohar Project of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Reviews

"This is a fine piece of scholarship. It constitutes a pioneering study of a major figure in the medieval Jewish mystical tradition. The discussion of theurgy and the experiential element within the Jewish mystical tradition are particularly important contributions to this fledgling area of study." — Mark Verman, St. John's University

"This book brings to the English reader a first sound and comprehensive study of the theological issues in the later strata of the Zohar." — Ronald C. Kiener, Trinity College