Abraham Abulafia's Esotericism Secrets and Doubts - Moshe Idel
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Abraham Abulafia's Esotericism Secrets and Doubts

by
Language
English
Published in
Publisher
De Gruyter
Pages
448
ISBN
9783110600858
Moshe Idel, a distinguished scholar of Jewish mysticism, presents a detailed examination of Abraham Abulafia, the thirteenth-century founder of ecstatic Kabbalah. This book illuminates Abulafia's esoteric thought, exploring its connections to Maimonides, Maimonideans, and Islamic philosophy, aligning with Leo Strauss's theory of intellectual history. It analyzes the hidden meanings within Abulafia's writings, including the parable of the three rings, and reveals his universalistic interpretation of the Bible, the Hebrew language, and the people of Israel, distinguishing it from more common particularistic Kabbalistic views.

Through meticulous research, Idel identifies previously unacknowledged texts by Abulafia and details the unique techniques of ecstatic Kabbalah, which involve movement, vocalization, breathing, and music, alongside its mystical experiences and their symbolic imagery. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of a pivotal figure in Jewish mysticism, providing insights into the development and nuances of Kabbalistic thought.

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Original edition details

Original language
English
Original publisher De Gruyter

Other editions (2)