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Kabbalah and Catastrophe - (Stanford Studies in Jewish Mysticism) by Hartley Lachter (Hardcover)

Kabbalah and Catastrophe - (Stanford Studies in Jewish Mysticism) by  Hartley Lachter (Hardcover) - 1 of 1
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About this item

Highlights

  • While premodern kabbalistic texts were not chronicles of historical events, they provided elaborate models for understanding the secret divine plan guiding human affairs.
  • About the Author: Hartley Lachter is Philip and Muriel Berman Chair in Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of Religion Studies at Lehigh University.
  • 362 Pages
  • History, Jewish
  • Series Name: Stanford Studies in Jewish Mysticism

Description



About the Book



"While premodern kabbalistic texts were not chronicles of historical events, they provided elaborate models for understanding the secret divine plan guiding human affairs. Hartley Lachter analyzes innovative kabbalistic doctrines, such as the idea of reincarnation and the notion of multiple successive universes, through which Jewish mystics sought to demonstrate that the misfortunes of Jewish history were in fact necessary steps toward redemption. Lachter argues that these works, mostly composed between the early 14th century and the generation affected by the Spanish expulsion in the early 16th century, enabled Jewish readers to make sense of the troubling misfortunes of their own time. Kabbalah and Catastrophe uncovers the remarkable variety of ways that kabbalists deployed esoteric tradition to argue that God had not abandoned the Jews to the inscrutable forces of history. Instead, they suggested to readers that Jews are history's primary actors, and that despite their small numbers and lack of military power, Jews nonetheless secretly push history forward. For scholars of Jewish mysticism and medieval Jewish history, Lachter articulates how premodern mystical texts can be crucial sources of insight into how Jews understood the meaning of history"--



Book Synopsis



While premodern kabbalistic texts were not chronicles of historical events, they provided elaborate models for understanding the secret divine plan guiding human affairs. Hartley Lachter analyzes innovative kabbalistic doctrines, such as the idea of reincarnation and the notion of multiple successive universes, through which Jewish mystics sought to demonstrate that the misfortunes of Jewish history were in fact necessary steps toward redemption.

Lachter argues that these works, mostly composed between the early 14th century and the generation affected by the Spanish expulsion in the early 16th century, enabled Jewish readers to make sense of the troubling misfortunes of their own time. Kabbalah and Catastrophe uncovers the remarkable variety of ways that kabbalists deployed esoteric tradition to argue that God had not abandoned the Jews to the inscrutable forces of history. Instead, they suggested to readers that Jews are history's primary actors, and that despite their small numbers and lack of military power, Jews nonetheless secretly push history forward. For scholars of Jewish mysticism and medieval Jewish history, Lachter articulates how premodern mystical texts can be crucial sources of insight into how Jews understood the meaning of history.



Review Quotes




"Drawing on a wide range of less well-known kabbalistic texts--for example, the Sefer ha-pelt'ah and Sefer ha-temunah, composed between the late 14th to the early 16th century, Lachter explains, with erudition and sensitivity, how Jews of a mystical persuasion explained the difficult shape of exilic existence.... Highly recommended."--S. T. Katz, CHOICE

"It is a pleasure to read such an erudite work that is written in such an accessible manner. Lachter distills a great deal of information from notoriously complex texts to illuminate the kabbalistic tradition on history and suffering." --Jonathan Ray, Georgetown University

"This is a truly innovative work, offering rare insight into the kabbalists as agents of history. Lachter shines as a scholar of medieval texts, and the many understudied works he includes make for a significant contribution to the field." --Ellen Haskell, University of North Carolina at Greensboro



About the Author



Hartley Lachter is Philip and Muriel Berman Chair in Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of Religion Studies at Lehigh University. He is the author of Kabbalistic Revolution: Reimagining Judaism in Medieval Spain (2014).
Dimensions (Overall): 9.0 Inches (H) x 6.0 Inches (W) x 1.08 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.52 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Series Title: Stanford Studies in Jewish Mysticism
Sub-Genre: Jewish
Genre: History
Number of Pages: 362
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Format: Hardcover
Author: Hartley Lachter
Language: English
Street Date: October 22, 2024
TCIN: 91257659
UPC: 9781503640214
Item Number (DPCI): 247-52-2030
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1.08 inches length x 6 inches width x 9 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.52 pounds
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