The three temples : on the emergence of Jewish mysticism
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Bibliographic Information
The three temples : on the emergence of Jewish mysticism
（The Littman library of Jewish civilization）
Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2005
- : pbk
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [268]-285) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
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.
Table of Contents
Note on Translations of Sources
Introduction
Appendix: 'Essenes' or 'the Priests, Sons of Zadok'
1 The Merkavah and the Sevenfold Pattern
2 From Temple to Merkavah: From the Chariot Throne of the Cherubim to Ezekiel's Vision
3 The Solar Calendar as Pattern of Sacred Time
4 Enoch Son of Jared and the Solar Calendar
5 The Sin of the Watchers and the Lunar Calendar
6 Covenants, Oaths, Sevens, and Festival of Shavuot
7 Ezekiel's Vision and the Festival of Shavuot
8 Priests and Angels
9 The Secessionist Priesthood and Rabbinic Tradition
10 Heikhalot Literature
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
by "Nielsen BookData"
