Winter / Spring 2008
Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:30 PM
Van Hise Hall 575

Instructor: Israel M. Sandman, PhD
Office: 1340 Van Hise Hall
Office Telephone: 262-9553
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:45 – 3:45 PM and 6:45 – 7:30 PM

Email: sandman@wisc.edu

Course Description:
In Jewish Mysticism in the Middle Ages, two great ancient traditions come together: the indigenous Jewish tradition; and the tradition of classic Greek philosophy. Since Judaism, as a religion based upon divine revelation, implies a personal G-d, and Greek philosophy, as a system based upon the quest of the human intellect and spirit, sees the Ultimate Cause / Reality in impersonal terms, the synthesis of these systems engenders a number of creative tensions. In mysticism, these creative tensions engender creative solutions, at the core of which is the concept of an ineffable G-d.
After general consideration of the meaning of "medieval" and "mysticism," we shall examine ancient Jewish mystical texts, then texts of "philosophical mysticism," meaning mysticism that exists within classical philosophy, including medieval Jewish philosophy. Then we shall see how all this funnels into the texts of classical Jewish mysticism, known as "Kabbalah." We shall spend the bulk of the semester with kabbalistic texts, treating some of the major themes and issues.

Course Style:
Methodologically, we shall stress close reading and critical analysis of primary medieval and ancient texts (contextualized by secondary literature), as well as the appreciation of the living religious phenomena underlying the texts. The course will combine lecture, close reading, and discussion.

Course Requirements:

Syllabus:
During the course of the semester, the syllabus may be modified, and handouts may be added. Any modifications / additions will be announced / distributed either in class, or by email (to your "wisc" address), or in both ways. You are responsible to be aware of any such modifications / additions.

Homework Readings and Questions:
Homework completion before class is required. Homework consists of reading the assigned primary and secondary passages, thinking about them, and providing brief written answers to questions about them. Homework answers must be submitted at the beginning of every class. Make two computer-printed copies of your answers, and BRING BOTH COPIES OF YOUR HOMEWORK ANSWERS TO CLASS. YOU WILL USE THE SECOND COPY AS REFERENCE WHEN YOU ARE CALLED ON, AS WELL AS IN CLASS DISCUSSIONS. While you will be allowed to miss a maximum of two homework assignments before loosing grade points, you will nevertheless be held responsible for material covered in any assignments that you miss. If you do not miss any homework assignments, you will get extra credit for doing more than the minimum requirement. Since the homework is a preparation for class, and is due before we cover the material in class, you will have an entire week to correct any mistakes you may make on your homework and receive full credit. Homework will not be accepted after this make-up period.

Class Attendance:
Class Attendance is required, as is punctuality. The purpose of this course is not to simply accumulate information. Rather, it is also to learn and engage the academic skills of textual analysis, particularly close reading and critical analysis. To accomplish this, there will be lecturing, in-class in-depth analytical reading of the texts (both modeled by the instructor and practiced by the students), and discussion. This sort of learning has an important communal component. If you do not attend, or if you are not prepared, you will undermine your own learning experience, and (unless you sit silently) you will waste everyone’s class time. While you will be allowed to miss a maximum of two classes before loosing grade points, you will nevertheless be held responsible for material covered in any classes that you miss.

Class Participation:
Under the rubric of "participation," the following are expected of you (in addition to attendance, punctual arrival, no early departure, and preparedness). Everyone will be called on to read, explain, and analyze the primary texts. In addition, students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions. Having done your homework reading and questions will greatly enhance your ability to participate intelligently. As mentioned, you should have a second copy of your homework answers, to be used as reference during analysis and discussion. Note that incisive questions - not only answers - about a passage are also considered "analysis." If you read the assigned passages, think, answer the homework questions, and attend the lectures, you should be fully prepared to participate.

Exams and Paper:
The two exams and the paper will be based upon all aspects of the course, including the primary and secondary readings, homework, and class lectures and discussions. Your answers should be based upon the primary and secondary readings and the type of analysis used in this course. Previous or outside knowledge may supplement - but may not substitute for - the readings and analysis employed in this course.

Midterm Exam:
TAKE-HOME MIDTERM DUE ELECTRONICALLY BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24 (i.e. going into Monday February 25). Primary and secondary texts as well as notes may be used, but work must be your own.

Take-Home Paper:
TAKE-HOME PAPER DUE ELECTRONICALLY BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY APRIL 6 (i.e. going into Monday April 7).

Final Exam:
Date, Time, and Place To Be Announced. Proctored exam; Primary and secondary texts should be used. It is OK if they contain marginal notes. Full-fledged notes and other books may not be used.

Extra Credit for Jewish Studies Lecture Series:
You are entitled to receive extra credit worth one homework assignment for attending one of the Jewish Studies Lectures and writing a one-page response to it. The list of lectures will be posted on the class "Learn@UW" site.

Study Suggestion:
Your grasp of the material will be enhanced immeasurably if, in addition to studying alone, you further prepare the texts in pairs or groups, discussing and debating the texts’ meanings and implications. Note, however, that you must answer your homework questions and write your take-home paper on your own.

Grading Distribution:
Homework: 20%
Class Participation: 15%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Take-Home Paper: 20%
Final Exam: 25%

Academic Integrity and Etiquette:

Punctuality:
Late arrival and early departure disturb class. They are unacceptable and are cause for the loss of grade points. IF IN AN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE YOU MUST ARRIVE LATE OR LEAVE EARLY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN ADVANCE, AND ARRIVE / LEAVE UNOBTRUSIVELY.

Honesty:
Cheating and Plagiarism are serious injustices, and will be dealt with according to University rules, which contain a provision for failing the perpetrating student for the entire course.

Extreme Circumstances:
Any foreseen extreme circumstances must be brought to my attention in advance.

No Distractions:
Cell phones turned off; no talking; no reading of outside material; no meals; no noisy wrappers; no elaborate food or drink; no MP3 (I-Pod) listening.

Required Texts:
ALL ARE CONTAINED IN THE COURSE PACKET, AVAILABLE ON-LINE AS PDF FILES ON THE CLASS INTERNET SITE

Schedule: (meeting number; date)
Meeting 1; January 22
Defining Mysticism; Human Connection to Divinity; Human Experience of Divinity
G. Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism, 1.3, pp. 7 - 8; Genesis 1:1; 1:26 - 28; 2:7; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Exodus 24:9 - 11; Deuteronomy 4:12; 5:21; Isaiah 6:1 - 8; Daniel 7:9 - 10; Ezekiel 1; Wolfson, Speculum, pp. 68 - 70

Meeting 2; January 29
Merkavah Mysticism
Dan, Jewish Mysticism: Late Antiquity, "The Descenders to the Chariot," (pp. 40 - 53); Babylonian Talmud, Hagigah, 14b (English translation pp. 90 - 91); Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth 7a (English translation pp. 30 - 31); The Greater Hekhalot, chapter 1, chapters 16 - 22 (in Kaplan, Meditation and Kabbalah, pp. 42 - 51)

Meeting 3; February 5
Sefer Yetzira
Epstein, Judaism, pp. 226 - 229; Kaplan, Sefer Yetzirah, "Introduction," pp. xix - xxi, notes pp. 347 - 348; Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin, 65b; Dan, Early Kabbalah, Iyyun Circle text on pp. 54 - 55, notes p. 56; Wolfson, Speculum, pp. 70 - 73; Sefer Yetzira background chart; Sefer Yetzirah, chs. 1 & 2, translated by Kaplan in both the third person (pp. 271 - 273) and the imperative (pp. 261 - 263)

Meeting 4; February 12
Aristotle and the Active Intellect; Union of the human intellect with the Active Intellect; Medieval Jewish Aristotelianism
Aristotle, De Anima III:4 & 5; Alexander of Aphrodisias on Aristotle's De Anima III:4 & 5; Maimonides, Guide I:72, selection (Pines, bottom p. 192 - top 193); ibid. III:51, (Pines 618 - 628; you may skip bottom p. 624 - 626); Blumenthal, "Philosophic Mysticism"

Meeting 5; February 19
Neoplatonism: Emanation from the One; Union of the individual soul with the One; Medieval Jewish Neoplatonism
Russell, History of Western Philosophy, pp. 288 - 292; Kraemer, "Neoplatonism," 2nd paragraph; Theology of Aristotle (= "Theologia") X, pp. 291, 293; ibid I, pp. 225, 227; Idel, Kabbalah and Eros, ch. 4, sections 2, 3, and 6

TAKE-HOME MIDTERM DUE ELECTRONICALLY BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24 (i.e. going into Monday February 25)

Meeting 6; February 26
Meditation & Visualization
Kaplan, Meditation and Kabbalah, "Meditation," subsections 2 & 3 (pp. 11 - 16; notes pp. 315 - 316); "Other Early Schools," selection from subsection "Isaac of Acco" (pp. 140 - 143; notes 328 - 329); Wolfson, Speculum, pp. 62 - 68; Nahmanides, first comment to Exodus 3:2, pp. 25 - 26

Meeting 7; March 4
Ecstatic-Prophetic Kabbalah; Letter-Combination Mysticism
Schwarz, Memoirs of My People, "Every Man His Own Messiah: Abraham Aboulafia"; Scholem, Major Trends, 4.4 - 4.6 pp. 130 - 142; Idel, The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia, chapter 1, "Techniques for Attaining Ecstasy"

Meeting 8; MEETING CANCELLED; HOMEWORK DUE ELECTRONICALLY (If there is reasonable demand, I shall be available to meet and prepare the homework with students on Sunday afternoon / evening, March 9, time and place to be determined)
Textual Subjectivity: Becoming What You Study
Sendor, Isaac the Blind, 7.6, "Cognitive Ascent up the Ladder of Being," pp. 246 - 255; Sandman, Ibn Matut, "Ladder of Ascent"; Goldberg, Mystical Union, 550 – 555

SPRING BREAK; March 18: NO CLASS

Meeting 9; March 25
Theosophy
"Rabbi Azriel of Gerona," "Explanation of the Ten Sefirot," pp. 89 - 96 in Dan, Early Kabbalah. Scholem, Kabbalah, 96 - 112; Idel, New Perspectives, 136 – 150

Meeting 10; April 1
The Zohar: Background; System
Matt, Zohar … Enlightenment, "Introduction," pp. 3 - 5; Matt, Essential Kabbalah, "Introduction," chart facing p. 1 - p. 11; Liebes, Studies in the Zohar, "How the Zohar Was Written," pp. 88 - 89; Rapoport-Albert and Kwasman, "Literary and Linguistic Context of the Zohar," pp. 10 - 15; Tiqqune Zohar, Tiqqun 2, in Tishby, Wisdom of the Zohar, "The Conduct of the World Through the Sefirot," pp. 259 - 262 (compare to Matt's simplified rendering, Essential Kabbalah, "Divine Qualities," pp. 50 - 51 plus notes)

TAKE-HOME PAPER DUE ELECTRONICALLY BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY APRIL 6 (i.e. going into Monday April 7)

Meeting 11; April 8
Divine Feminine and Masculine Attributes; Eros & Heiros Gamos
Bahir, nos. 63 (Kaplan, pp. 22 - 23), 131 - 134 (Kaplan pp. 48 - 49; Dan, Early Kabbalah, pp. 63 - 65); Patai, Hebrew Goddess, "The Zohar on Unifications" (pp. 162 - 165); Zohar III 290a (Idra Zuta), 45a - b, II 146a - b, III 61b - 62a. I 7b, I 103b, III 265b (Raya Mehemna); in Tishby, Wisdom - Zohar, "Father and Mother, Son and Daughter," pp. 341 - 342, "The Arousal of Love," p. 364, "The Mystery of the Kiss," pp. 364 - 365, "Intercourse," pp. 365 - 366, "Gate," pp. 399 - 400, "The Door of the Tent," pp. 400 - 401, "A Continual Burnt Offering," pp. 401 – 402

Meeting 12; April 15
Contemplative Prayer & Unio Mystica
Lachter, Paradox and Mystical Union, ch. 4 "Worship as Mystical Praxis in the Zohar," pp. 211 - 220 & 233 - 240; Zohar III 11b - 112a, in Tishby, Wisdom - Zohar, "Servants and Sons," pp. 1073 - 1075; Zohar III 120b - 121a, in Tishby ibid. "Prostration," pp. 1033 – 1036

Meeting 13; April 22
Human as Unifier of the Cosmos; Divine Commandments Requiring Physical Acts
(Continued from last meeting) Zohar III 120b - 121a, in Tishby ibid. "Prostration," pp. 1033 - 1036; illustrations of Tallit and Tefillin from Siddur Tehillat Hashem; Zohar I, 12b - 13a, in Tishby, Wisdom - Zohar, "The Commandment of Procreation," pp. 1382 - 1384; ibid. 49b - 50a, "Intercourse of the Righteous with the Shekhinah." pp. 1396 – 1400

Meeting 14; April 29
Mystical Exegesis of the Torah
Zohar III, 152a, in Matt, Zohar … Enlightenment, "How to Look at Torah," pp. 43 - 45 plus notes; Zohar, "Saba deMishpatim," in Matt, Zohar … Enlightenment, "The Old Man and the Beautiful Maiden," pp. 121 - 126; Zohar I, 15a, in Matt, Zohar - Pritzker vol. I, pp. 107 - 110. McGinn, "G-d Beyond G-d," p. 3.

Meeting 15; May 6
The Sabbath
Scholem, Kabbalah - Symbolism, top 138, mid 139 - 140; Ginsburg, Sabbath, pp. 112 - 125; Zohar II, 135a - b, 47a - b, 88a - b, in Tishby, Wisdom - Zohar, "Welcoming the Sabbath," "Sabbath Delight," "The Sabbath Meals," pp. 1283 - 1287

FINAL EXAM: DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Bibliography
Aristotle. De Anima. In A New Aristotle Reader. Ed. J. L. Ackrill. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1987, 1989.
Bahir (Illumination). Trans. Aryeh Kaplan. York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1979, 1989.
Blumenthal, David. "Philosophic Mysticism: The Ultimate Goal of Medieval Judaism."
Dan, Joseph. The Early Kabbalah. New York - Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1986.
_____. Jewish Mysticism: Late Antiquity. Northvale, NJ - Jerusalem: Jason Aronson Inc., 1998.

Epstein, Isidore. Judaism. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1959, 1964.
Fotinis, Athanasios P. The De Anima of Alexander of Aphrodisias: A Translation and Commentary. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America, 1979.
Ginsburg, Elliot K. The Sabbath in the Classical Kabbalah. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1989.
Goldberg, Joel R. (Yechiel Shalom). Mystical Union, Individuality, and Individuation in Provencal and Catalonian Kabbalah. New York University, PhD Dissertation 2001.
Idel, Moshe. Kabbalah and Eros. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
_____. Kabbalah: New Perspectives. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1988.
_____. The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia. ?????.

Kaplan, Aryeh. Bahir. (See under Bahir.)
_____. Meditation and Kabbalah. York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1982, 1992.
_____. Sefer Yetzirah: the Book of Creation in Theory and Practice. York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1990, 1991.

Kraemer, Joel. "Neoplatonism" in Encyclopedia Judaica (1972 edition).
Lachter, Hartley. Paradox and Mystical Union in the Zohar. PhD. Dissertation, New York University, 2004.
Liebes, Yehuda. Studies in the Zohar. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1993.
Maimonides, Moses. Guide of the Perplexed. Trans. Shlomo Pines. Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press, 1963.
McGinn, Bernard. "G-d Beyond G-d: Theology and Mysticism in the Thought of Meister Eckhart." Journal of Religion 61 (1981). 1 - 19.
Matt, Daniel C. The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism. New York: Harper-Collins Publishers, 1995, 1996
_____. Zohar: The Book of Enlightenment. New York - Ramsey - Toronto: Paulist Press, 1983
_____. Zohar: Pritsker Edition, vol. 1. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2004.

Nahmanides, Moses. Ramban (Nachmanides) Commentary on the Torah: Exodus. Trans. Charles B. Chavel. New York: Shilo Publishing House, 1973.
Patai, Raphael. The Hebrew Goddess (Third Enlarged Edition). Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1990.
Rapoport-Albert, Ada, and Theodore Kwasman. "Late Aramaic: The Literary and Linguistic Context of the Zohar." Aramaic Studies 4.1 (2006), 5 - 19.
Russell, Bertrand. A History of Western Philosophy. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1945.
Sandman, Israel Moshe. The Meshobeb Netibot of Samuel Ibn Matut. University of Chicago, PhD Dissertation, 2006.
Scholem, Gershom Gerhard. Kabbalah. New York: Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co., 1974.
_____. Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (Revised Edition). New York: Schocken Books, 1946.
_____. On the Kabbalah and its Symbolism. New York: Schocken Books, 1965.

Schwarz, Leo W. Memoirs of My People: Through a Thousand Years. Philadelphia, The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1960.
Sendor, Mark Brian. The Emergence of Provencal Kabbalah: Rabbi Isaac the Blind’s Commentary on Sefer Yezirah. Harvard University, PhD Dissertation, 1994.
Siddur Tehillat Hashem with English Translation, Annotated Edition. Brooklyn, NY: Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, 2002, 2003.
Tishby, Isaiah. Wisdom of the Zohar. (3 vols.) London: Littman Library, 1989.
Wolfson, Eliot R. Through a Speculum that Shines: Vision and Imagination in Medieval Jewish Mysticism. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994, 1997.

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Latest revision date: 1/22/2008 (cad)

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