109-021 Kabbalah and Jewish Mystical Traditions

Any two arts subjects or permission of the subject coordinator.

This subject introduces students to the basic concepts underlying the Jewish mystical tradition, using Kabbalistic and Hassidic source materials and commentaries, and contemporary analytical writings. It covers the historical development of the tradition over 3500 years featuring both personalities and major trends/concepts and describes a cosmological structure of the nature of the universe and the function of the human being. The psycho-social implications of various mystical movements of the past and present will be analysed. Reasons for the resurgence of the Kabbalah spiritual tradition in the Western world will be explored. Students will also examine the way techniques drawn from such mystical traditions might provide the modern-day persons with insight and ways of managing stress.

An essay of 2500 words and a seminar paper of 1500 words.

• G Scholem, Kabbalah. Meridian, 1978.
• L Wolf, Practical Kabbalah. Random-Three Rivers, 1999.
• J I Schochet, Mystical Concepts in Chassidism Society. 1988.
• A Steinsaltz, The Thirteen Petalled Rose. Basic Books, 1980.