The Scandal of Kabbalah

Leon Modena, Jewish Mysticism, Early Modern Venice

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Judaism, History, Modern
Cover of the book The Scandal of Kabbalah by Yaacob Dweck, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Yaacob Dweck ISBN: 9781400840007
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: August 1, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Yaacob Dweck
ISBN: 9781400840007
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: August 1, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

The Scandal of Kabbalah is the first book about the origins of a culture war that began in early modern Europe and continues to this day: the debate between kabbalists and their critics on the nature of Judaism and the meaning of religious tradition. From its medieval beginnings as an esoteric form of Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah spread throughout the early modern world and became a central feature of Jewish life. Scholars have long studied the revolutionary impact of Kabbalah, but, as Yaacob Dweck argues, they have misunderstood the character and timing of opposition to it.

Drawing on a range of previously unexamined sources, this book tells the story of the first criticism of Kabbalah, Ari Nohem, written by Leon Modena in Venice in 1639. In this scathing indictment of Venetian Jews who had embraced Kabbalah as an authentic form of ancient esotericism, Modena proved the recent origins of Kabbalah and sought to convince his readers to return to the spiritualized rationalism of Maimonides.

The Scandal of Kabbalah examines the hallmarks of Jewish modernity displayed by Modena's attack--a critical analysis of sacred texts, skepticism about religious truths, and self-consciousness about the past--and shows how these qualities and the later history of his polemic challenge conventional understandings of the relationship between Kabbalah and modernity. Dweck argues that Kabbalah was the subject of critical inquiry in the very period it came to dominate Jewish life rather than centuries later as most scholars have thought.

Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Scandal of Kabbalah is the first book about the origins of a culture war that began in early modern Europe and continues to this day: the debate between kabbalists and their critics on the nature of Judaism and the meaning of religious tradition. From its medieval beginnings as an esoteric form of Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah spread throughout the early modern world and became a central feature of Jewish life. Scholars have long studied the revolutionary impact of Kabbalah, but, as Yaacob Dweck argues, they have misunderstood the character and timing of opposition to it.

Drawing on a range of previously unexamined sources, this book tells the story of the first criticism of Kabbalah, Ari Nohem, written by Leon Modena in Venice in 1639. In this scathing indictment of Venetian Jews who had embraced Kabbalah as an authentic form of ancient esotericism, Modena proved the recent origins of Kabbalah and sought to convince his readers to return to the spiritualized rationalism of Maimonides.

The Scandal of Kabbalah examines the hallmarks of Jewish modernity displayed by Modena's attack--a critical analysis of sacred texts, skepticism about religious truths, and self-consciousness about the past--and shows how these qualities and the later history of his polemic challenge conventional understandings of the relationship between Kabbalah and modernity. Dweck argues that Kabbalah was the subject of critical inquiry in the very period it came to dominate Jewish life rather than centuries later as most scholars have thought.

Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book The Opinion of Mankind by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book Becoming Yellow by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Making of British Socialism by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book Everyday Calculus by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Federal Reserve and the Financial Crisis by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book Hiding from Humanity by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Unheavenly Chorus by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book Between Monopoly and Free Trade by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book Spying Blind by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book Hidden Markov Processes by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Wisdom of Frugality by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Battle for Yellowstone by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960 by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Collected Works of Spinoza, Volumes I and II by Yaacob Dweck
Cover of the book The Warbler Guide by Yaacob Dweck
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy