Between Mysticism and Philosophy

Diana Lobel

Description

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

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Philosophie médiévale, scolastique
• Scolastique
• Philosophie médiévale
• Philosophie antique
• Philosophie médiévale
• Philosophie médiévale
• History of religions
• Judaism
• Medieval philosophy

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791493229
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

BETWEEN MYSTICISM AND PHILOSOPHY Sufi Language of Religious Experience in Judah HaLevi’sKuzari

DIANA LOBEL

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

Between Mysticism and Philosophy

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

SUNY series in

Jewish Philosophy

Kenneth Seeskin,editor

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

Between Mysticism

and Philosophy

Sufi Language of Religious Experience in Judah Ha-Levi’s Kuzari

Diana Lobel

S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W Y O R K P R E S S

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

Published by State University of New York Press

© 2000 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address the State University of New York Press, State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246

Cover design by Marjorie Corbett. Original papercut, “Open the Gates of Righteousness,” by Risa Mandelberg © 1992 The Paperdoll Company.

Marketing by Anne Valentine • Production by Bernadine Dawes

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data Lobel, Diana. Between mysticism and philosophy : Sufi language of religious experience in Judah Ha-Levi’s Kuzari / Diana Lobel. p. cm. — (SUNY series in Jewish philosophy) Includes bibliographical references. isbn0-7914-4451-1 (hc : alk. paper). —isbn0-7914-4452-x(pb : alk. paper) 1.Judah,ha-Levi,12thcent.Kit¯abal-Óhujjah.2.Spiritual life—Judaism. I. Title. II. Series. BM550.J84L63 2000 296.3—dc21 99-31812 CIP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

To Albert, Francine, and Janet Lobel,

with love

And to the memory of Professor Twerskyz"l,

in spirit

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

ix

page vii

PART 1 The Language of Relationship: Religious Experience as Connection or Union (IttiÓsa¯ l) and Arrival (¯sluWÓu) A. Sufi and Philosophical Terminology: Use of the Term¯slaIttÓi in the Opening Dialogue22 B.Shı¯¡iteTerminology29 C. The History of the Jewish People as a History of30IttisÓa¯ l D.s¯iÓalItt, Asceticism, and Mitsvot45 E.IttiÓs¯al, Immortality, and the Afterlife48

PART 2 The Language of Human Striving: Qiy¯as,Ijtiha¯ d,Taql ¯ıd A. Qiya¯ s: The Legal Context59 B. Qiya¯ s: The Philosophical Context68 C. Qiya¯ s: The Context of Mysticism and Pietism78 D. Qiya¯ s: The Context of Paganism and the Occult81

1

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Lobel:Between Mysticism and Philosophy

viii

PART 3 The Language of Perception: Religious Experience as Witness (Musha¯ hada) and Taste (Dhawq)

PART 4 The Language of Prophecy A. Prophecy as Witness (sh¯ahadMau) B. Prophecy as Divine Inspiration (WaÓhy,Ilha¯m,Ta™yı¯d,Nubuwwa)

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120

PART 5 The Language of Intimacy (Uns), Longing (Shawq) and Love (¡Ishq)

Conclusions

Abbreviations

Notes

Bibliography A. Primary Texts251 B. Secondary Literature

255

Index A. Names and Subjects267 B. Passages in theKuzari 275

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