Azzan Yadin-Israel Spring 2013 azzan@rutgers.edu Office: Miller 104 Mon/Wed 6th Hadenburg B4 Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah (563:250; 840:250) Our course offers a historical survey of Jewish mystical traditions from the Bible and early rabbinic traditions through formative works such as Sefer Yetzirah and the Bahir, the classical statement of kabbalistic theology the Zohar. The course emphasizes primary sources, that is, reading the relevant texts (in English) and working together to understand them as fully as possible. In the course of our reading we will cover a number of topics, including: God s image, the evolution of the doctrine of Sefirot, the erotic dimension of Kabbalah and more. Though the literature in question was composed and often engaged in religious settings, our class will approach these topics from an academic perspective. Course Requirements: 1. Attendance is very important. Much of the learning process in the course will occur in the classroom setting, so you must come to class. More than four unexcused absences will affect your grade. 2. Our books for this course are: i. Aryeh Kaplan, The Bahir (Paperback ISBN: 0877286183) ii. Aryeh Kaplan, Sefer Yetzirah (Paperback ISBN: 0877288550) iii. Arthur Green, A Guide to the Zohar (Paperback ISBN: 0804749086) iv. You will also need to bring a Bible (Hebrew Bible + New Testament) to class for the first four weeks. These books are not available at the university bookstore and should be purchased through the online or brick-and-mortar bookstore of your choice, some of which are significantly less expensive than the university bookstore.
Primary readings and sources not found in these books are posted on Sakai (http://sakai.rutgers.edu). 3. Please bring the readings assigned on that day to class. 4. Short quizzes will be given on a regular basis. There will be no make-ups for in-class quizzes or exams. 5. Plagiarism and cheating will be penalized according to the full extent of University policy, as outlined at: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/integrity.shtml#plagiarism 6. All assignments must be submitted in hard-copy on the day that they are due. Grades: Midterm (25%), final (35%), a short (6-8 page) paper (20%) and class participation and preparedness (20%). Both the midterm and the final include an essay component. The class will receive the topics in advance and be prepared to write an in-class essay, referring heavily to the primary sources (both the midterm and the final are open book for primary source material). Office hours are Wednesdays 12:00-12:50, or by appointment.
SYLLABUS Week 1. Jewish Mysticism and its Biblical Roots 1/23: Introduction to the academic study of mystical texts. Genesis 1; Genesis 9:6-7; Exodus 20; Exodus 33; Week 2. Ezekiel's Chariot 1/28-1/30: Ezekiel 1; Isaiah 6; Revelation 4 (New Testament); Dead Sea Scrolls 4Q403 I, ii and 4Q405 20, ii. Week 3. Ezekiel's Chariot II 2/4-2/6: Mishnah Hagigah 2.1; Babylonian Talmud Hagigah 14b; Ira Chernus, Revelation and Merkabah Mysticism in Tannaitic Midrash. Week 4. Heavenly Ascent 2/11-2/13: Genesis 5:18-24; 1 Enoch 14, 17-18; 2 Corinthians 12:1-11 (New Testament); Babylonian Talmud Hagigah 14b (Pardes/Orchard). Week 5. God s Body 2/18-2/20: Mekhilta Ba-Hodesh 8; Mekhilta Shirata 3; Tosefta Yevamot 8.7; Leviticus Rabbah 34.3; Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan; James Kugel, "No Graven Images."
Week 6. Shiur Qomah, The Measurement of God s Body 2/25-2/27: The Song of Songs, chapter 5; Mishnah Yadayim 3.5; Shiur Qomah; Naomi Janowitz, God s Body: Theological and Ritual Roles of Shiur Komah. Week 7. Sefer Yetzirah I 3/4-3/6: Sefer Yetzirah Chapter One (read only the Sefer Yetzirah text, commentary optional).week 8: Sefer Yetzirah II 3/11: Sefer Yetzirah Chatper Six. 3/13 Midterm SPRING BREAK Week 9. 3/25 No Class: Passover Seder 3/27 No Class: Second Day of Passover Week 10. Sefer ha-bahir I 4/1-4/3: Sefer ha-bahir 3-6, 9, 16, 22-26, 34-35, 46-49, 54, 63, 76. Paper Topics and bibliography submitted to me by email Week 11. Sefer ha-bahir II 4/8-4/10 Sefer ha-bahir 92-93, 113, 122, 129, 131-133, 156, 159, 162, 164, 171, 184, 198
Week 12. The Zohar 4/15-4/17 Maimonides, Guide for the Perplexed I.59; Zohar 1.22b; Tikkunei ha- Zohar 17a-17b; Zohar I.1b; Zohar I.15a; Green, A Guide to the Zohar, 1-59 Week 13. The Zohar II 4/22-4/24 Zohar III.104b-105a; Zohar III.269a-269b; Zohar I.12b-13a; Zohar III.61a-b; Green, A Guide to the Zohar, 60-157. Paper due by 4 pm at 12 College Avenue. Week 14: The Zohar as Midrash 4/29-5/1 Continuous reading from Zohar Pericope Veyera, pages 116-123 in the Matt Edition Week 15: The Zohar as Midrash II 5/6 Continuous reading from Zohar Pericope Veyera, pages 123-131 in the Matt Edition