The Three Temples - On the Emergence of Jewish Mysticism (Paperback, New edition)

In this ground-breaking study, Rachel Elior offers a comprehensive theory of the crystallization of the early stages of the mystical tradition in Judaism based on the numerous ancient scrolls and manuscripts published in the last few decades. Her wide-ranging research, scrupulously documented, enables her to demonstrate an uninterrupted line linking the priestly traditions of the Temple, the mystical liturgical literature found in the Qumran caves and associated directly and indirectly with the Merkavah tradition of around the second and first centuries BCE, and the mystical works of the second to fifth centuries CE known as Heikhalot literature. The key factor linking all these texts, according to Professor Elior's theory, is that many of those who wrote them were members of the priestly classes. Prevented from being able to perform the rituals of sacred service in the Temple as ordained in the biblical tradition, they channelled their religious impetus in other directions to create a new spiritual focus. The mystical tradition they developed centred first on a heavenly Chariot Throne known as the Merkavah, and later on heavenly sanctuaries known as Heikhalot. In this way the priestly class developed an alternative focus for spirituality, based on a supertemporal liturgical and ritual relationship with ministering angels in the supernal sanctuaries. This came to embrace an entire mystical world devoted to sustaining religious liturgical tradition and ritual memory in the absence of the Temple. This lyrical investigation of the origins and workings of this supernal world is sure to become a standard work in the study of early Jewish mysticism.

General

Imprint:	The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization
Release date:	June 2005
First published:	June 2005
Authors:	Rachel Elior
Dimensions:	235 x 155 x 23mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	312
Edition:	New edition
ISBN-13:	978-1-904113-33-1
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Judaism > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious experience > Mysticism Books > Religion & Spirituality > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious experience > Mysticism Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > Judaism > General
LSN:	1-904113-33-8
Barcode:	9781904113331

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!