03410nam 2200649Ia 450 991081211700332120200520144314.00-7914-8685-01-4175-3741-8(CKB)1000000000448717(OCoLC)794701275(CaPaEBR)ebrary10594760(SSID)ssj0000110085(PQKBManifestationID)11142821(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000110085(PQKBWorkID)10059447(PQKB)10353585(MdBmJHUP)muse6007(Au-PeEL)EBL3408433(CaPaEBR)ebr10594760(OCoLC)56408508(DE-B1597)683389(DE-B1597)9780791486856(MiAaPQ)EBC3408433(EXLCZ)99100000000044871720021107d2003 uy 0engurcn|||||||||txtccrBeholders of divine secrets mysticism and myth in the Hekhalot and merkavah literature /Vita Daphna ArbelAlbany, N.Y. State University of New York Pressc20031 online resource (263 p.) Based on a doctoral thesis submitted to the Hebrew University, Jerusalem in 1997.0-7914-5724-9 0-7914-5723-0 Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-235) and indexes.Front Matter -- Contents -- Preface -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- The Hekhalot and Merkavah Literature and its Mystical Tradition -- Hekhalot and Merkavah Mysticism -- Mythical Language of Hekhalot and Merkavah Mysticism -- Mystical Journeys in Mythological Language -- The Concept of God -- Literary, Phenomenological, Cultural, and Social Implications -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index of Passages Discussed -- Index of Authors -- General IndexBeholders 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. Arbel 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.MysticismJudaismHekhalot literatureHistory and criticismMerkavaJewish mythologyMysticismJudaism.Hekhalot literatureHistory and criticism.Merkava.Jewish mythology.296.7/12Arbel Vita Daphna1719098MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK9910812117003321Beholders of divine secrets4116610UNINA