As light before dawn : the inner world of a medieval kabbalist

by Eitan P. Fishbane

Hardcover, 2009

Publication

Imprint: Stanford, California : Stanford University Press, c2009. Series: Stanford studies in Jewish history and culture. Responsibility: Eitan P. Fishbane. OCLC Number: 294935735. Physical: Text : 1 volume : xi, 322 pages ; 24 cm. Features: Includes bibliography, index.

Call number

Commentary / Fishb

Barcode

BK-08052

ISBN

9780804759137

CSS Library Notes

Named Person: Isaac ben Samuel of Acre 13th century - 14th century : Isaac of Akko .

Description: As Light Before Dawn explores the mystical thought of Isaac ben Samuel of Akko, a major medieval kabbalist whose work has until now received relatively little attention. Through consideration of an extensive literary corpus, including much that still remains in manuscript, this study examines an array of themes and questions that have great applicability to the comparative study of mysticism and the broader study of religion. These include prayer and the nature of mystical experience; meditative concentration directed to God; and the power of mental intention, authority, creativity, and the transmission of wisdom.

Table of Contents: pt. 1. Context. Perspectives and new directions : reflections on the state of scholarship --
The wandering kabbalist : historical profile and context. pt. 2. Reception and transmission. Receiving tradition, constructing authority --
Intentions and the recovery of meaning --
Seeing the secret : creative process and the hermeneutics of insight. pt. 3. Contemplative practice, mystical experience. Contemplation, theurgical action, and the presence of God --
Techniques of mystical contemplation : kavvanah and devotional experience --
Asceticism, prophecy, and mystical union.

FY2019 /

Physical description

xi, 322 p.; 24 cm

Description

As Light Before Dawn explores the mystical thought of Isaac ben Samuel of Akko, a major medieval kabbalist whose work has until now received relatively little attention. Through consideration of an extensive literary corpus, including much that still remains in manuscript, this study examines an array of themes and questions that have great applicability to the comparative study of mysticism and the broader study of religion. These include prayer and the nature of mystical experience; meditative concentration directed to God; and the power of mental intention, authority, creativity, and the transmission of wisdom.

Language

Original language

English
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