The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-29

al ilt uiilouIl vi csttiSh lItIuCeu ills
conspectus of the physical conditions of Pales-
tine in the second century OF our era. Now let
us glance at the development Of the philosophi-
cal and religious thought of tho Jews. Perhaps
the most interesting and important branch OF
the Jewish theology was that concerned with
the mystical views of the synagogue. The same
tendency TO mysticism appeared among the
Jews. both in Palestine and In Egypt, although.
in each case. it was modified by the foreign
clements with which 1t was brought into con-
tact. The editor of this volume is drawing from
Schtirer when he notes that, In Palestine, mys-
tlcism represented the reaction OF the spirit
against tho letter; the attempt of minds
wearied with the Journalism and legal ques-
tlonings OF the Raubins, would be to pene-
trate moro deeply into the knowledge of
the divine. In Egypt the rise OF mysticism was
due to somewhat different causes. Amid the
decline OF Greek philosophy and the extinction
of free political life, Jewish ideas had come to
exercise a powerful influence upon the thinkers
OF Alexandria. At the same time the jew.
separated from his own country. gave up much
OF his former exclusiveness. together with
much of the dcfniteness of his national creed.
and readily embraced the IIellenistic culture in
the midst OF which he lived. From this com
bination of Greek and Jewish thought there
was developed a system OF dreamy mysticism
which exalted contemplation above active life.
In Egypt. as 1t Is well known, Jewish mysti-
cism reached its highest development In the
writings OF Philo Judieus. In Palestine the
system was evolved more slowly; and.
while abundant traces OF It are found In the
Talmud. 1t only reached its elimination point
In the Kabhalah of the middle ages. This name
was not used to denote a system OF theosophic
speculation till after the Talmudlc age. In the
Mishna. the earliest Midrashim and the Talmud,
the term Kabbalah from a Hebrew verb. mean
ing to- hand DOWN denotes the whole body OF
Jewish tradition. The name is even applied TO
the prophetic writings of the Old Testament,
and to the Photographic, In Standardization
to the Pentnteuch. The older names for mystic
speculations were the hidden things" or the
secrets OF the law" There were two subjects
about which the Jewish imagination especially
busted itself. To wit, the history OF the creation
and the divine apparition to Ezekiel. Both
touched the question of Gods original connec-
ton with his creatures and that Of his continued
intercourse with them. They deal with the
mystery OF nature and OF Providence. especially
OF revelation, and an attempt Is made To answer
the question how an infinite God can nave any
connection or intercourse with finite creatures.
The greatest dread was felt OF any reckless or
irreyerent treatment OF such themes, and the
same feelings which placed careful restriction
upon tho oral teaching or discussion Of these
subjects would also prevent any attempt being
made to write down an exposition Of the mys-
terry, There is, in fact. no trace Of Il literature
on the subject Till after the completion OF the
Talmud. The oldest cabalisuc text book which
has come down to MS, the Hook of Creation, is
not earlier than the ninth century, and the
principles there prOpOunded receive their full
est aud most remarkable development In the
book "Snhar" ,Splendor, IA work Of the thir-
teenth century, The author aRd editor u this
history 10 not undertake odlscuss the theology
OF the SONAR" owing to its very late date. but
they give a brief sketch Of the doctrine OF the
earlier work. the Book OF Creation. although
even this really lies outside their period. The