The Centre for Jewish Studies
University of Manchester
Extra-Mural Lectures 1998-99
For the full list of lectures, click here
Oct 26 Philip Alexander: How Important is Mysticism
to Judaism?
Abstract:
Judaism has a powerful mystical tradition - the Qabbalah - which has
influenced non-Jewish thought. For example, there is growing evidence that,
through the Christian Qabbalists, the Qabbalah played a significant role
in the birth of modern science. And the Qabbalah is now fashionable in Hollywood:
Madonna and other movie stars are said to be studying it to find out the
meaning of life. Yet the Qabbalah has been viewed with considerable suspicion
within Judaism, and attempts have been made to keep it secret. Just what
is the Qabbalah about? And why have the Rabbinical authorities seen it as
dangerous? Has it really been, as the great Professor Gershom Scholem passionately
argued, the driving force in Jewish intellectual history? These and similar
questions will be discussed in my lecture.
The Centre for Jewish Studies
The Department of Religions and Theology
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)161 275 3614; Fax +44 (0)161 275 3613
e-mail: Bernard.Jackson@man.ac.uk