Between Mysticism and Philosophy, livre ebook

A revealing study of this important medieval Jewish poet and his relation to Islamic thought.

A revealing study of this important medieval Jewish poet and his relation to Islamic thought.

Judah Ha-Levi (1075–1141), a medieval Jewish poet, mystic, and sophisticated critic of the rationalistic tradition in Judaism, is the focus of this ground-breaking study. Diana Lobel examines his influential philosophical dialogue, Sefer ha-Kuzari, written in Arabic and later translated into Hebrew, which broke religious and philosophical convention by infusing Sufi terms for religious experience with a new Jewish theological vision. Intellectually engaging, clear, and accessible, Between Mysticism and Philosophy is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the intertwined worlds of Jewish and Islamic philosophy, religion, and culture.

Acknowledgments

Introduction
PART 1. The Language of Relationship: Religious Experience as Connection or Union (Ittisal) and Arrival (Wusul)
A. Sufi and Philosophical Terminology: Use of the Term Ittisal in the Opening Dialogue
B. Shi'ite Terminology
C. The History of the Jewish People as a History of Ittisal
D. Ittisal, Asceticism, and Mitsvot
E. Ittisal, Immortality, and the Afterlife

PART 2. The Language of Human Striving: Qiyas, Ijtihad, Taqlid
A. Qiyas: The Legal Context
B. Qiyas: The Philosophical Context
C. Qiyas: The Context of Mysticism and Pietism
D. Qiyas: The Context of Paganism and the Occult
PART 3. The Language of Perception: Religious Experience as Witness (Mushahada) and Taste (Dhawq)
PART 4. The Language of Prophecy
A. Prophecy as Witness (Mushahada)
B. Prophecy as Divine Inspiration (Wahy, Ilham, Ta'yıd, Nubuwwa)
PART 5. The Language of Intimacy (Uns), Longing (Shawq) and Love ('Ishq)
Conclusions
Abbreviations

Notes

Bibliography

A. Primary Texts
B. Secondary Literature

Index

A. Names and Subjects
B. Passages in the Kuzari