Beholders of divine secrets
Subtitle: mysticism and myth in Hekhalot and Merkavah literature
By: Vita Daphna Arbel
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Albany
Language: eng
Number of pages: 250
Subjects: Mysticism -- Judaism; Hekhalot literature -- History and criticism; Merkava; Jewish mythology
Description: "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. Arel 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."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Based on a doctoral thesis submitted to the Hebrew University, Jerusalem in 1997

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