Shimon Shokek

Kabbalah and the Art of Being

The Smithsonian Lectures

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Why has Kabbalah become the ultimate wisdom in Jewish spirituality? How has it sustained the life and destiny of the Jewish people? Professor Shimon Shokek, through his new approach to Kabbalah, suggests that the central ingredient in the spiritual teachings of Jewish mysticism is to be found in the Kabbalistic theme of Creation. Professor Shokek argues that Kabbalah is not just a religious phenomenon or an esoteric theology, but a practical wisdom for living, creativity and well being. Thus, he introduces Kabbalah as a spiritual Jewish way of living, an Art of Being. This book skilfully reveals the core questions that emerge from the wisdom of the Jewish sages. It considers in depth the Kabbalistic meaning of Creation, mysticism, communion with God, language and speech, the human soul, messianism and repentance. Professor Shokek asks: -- what is the Kabbalistic perception of existence and being? -- how and why have Kabbalistic ideas been integrated into the lives of the Jewish people, shaping their fate and identity? -- what is the nature of Kabbalah and the truth behind it? -- can we understand Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism in the light of world philosophy and contemporary psychological theories? At a time when the study of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism is attracting a growing number of students, Kabbalah and the Art of Being opens an accessible and lively avenue of debate, for both the academic student and the interested general reader.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis
• Seitenzahl: 192
• Erscheinungstermin: 9. November 2000
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 233mm x 157mm x 10mm
• Gewicht: 345g
• ISBN-13: 9780415240451
• ISBN-10: 041524045X
• Artikelnr.: 21414786

Autorenporträt

Shimon Shokek received his PhD from the Department of Jewish philosophy and Kabbalah at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he taught for several years. He is currently Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism at Baltimore Hebrew University, and has lectured at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. He is the author of Jewish Ethics and Jewish Mysticism in Sefer Ha-Yashar, 1991 (English) and Repentance in Jewish Ethics, Philosophy, and Mysticism, 1995 (Hebrew).

Inhaltsangabe

1. The Mystery of Creation I. The Stem Cell Called Creation II. The
Existential Element in the Kabbalistic Creation Myth III. The Psychological
Element in the Kabbalistic Creation Myth IV. Devekut and the Breaking of
the One into the Two Notes for chapter 1 2. A Note on Creation in
Philosophy, Mythology, and Gnosis I. Creation in the Philosophy of Judaism,
Islam, and Christianity II. Creation in Mythology and Gnosis Notes for
chapter 2 3. Kabbalah on God's Intent and Language in Creation I. Ein-Sof,
Sefirot, and Atzilut II. God's Intent in Creation III. Kabbalah and
Language: Thirty-Two Paths of Wisdom Notes for chapter 3 4. Creation and
Imitatio Dei: Lurianic Kabbalah and Hasidism I. The Creation Myth in the
Kabbalah of Cordovero and the ARI II. The Creation Myth in Hasidism III.
The Jewish Way of Imitating God Notes for chapter 4 5. Kabbalah and God's
Individuation I. God's Shift from the Ayin to the Yesh II. The Worlds Below
and Above: a Chain of Being III. God's Individuation Notes for chapter 5 6.
Kabbalah and the Art of Being I. Awakening, Courage, Creativity, and Loving
II. Kabbalah and Self Discovery Notes for chapter 6