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The Mystic Quest: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism
The Mystic Quest explains the major ideas and concepts of Jewish mystical thought in a way that the general reader can clearly understand. Drawing upon his own extensive research as well as on the growing body of scholarly material on the subject, Dr. David Ariel, president of the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, presents the extremely difficult and complex elements of Jewish mysticism in language that makes it accessible to the layperson.
Jewish mysticism is as old as the Bible itself. It is a rich and subtle web of secret teachings and practices that has been part of Judaism since antiquity and has sought to keep the original spark of religious experience alive through the centuries. It is the relatively unknown, esoteric dimension of Judaism that has nourished a deep spiritual power within a tradition of law, ritual, and observance.
A central element in Judaism, the "mystic quest" has shaped both Judaism and Jews throughout history, generating the kabbalistic tradition and Hasidism, which continue to thrive today, As Ariel says, "This book is concerned primarily with the development and meaning of the Kabbalah, the principal tradition of mystical Jewish thought."
The Mystic Quest begins with an examination of the variety of phenomena known in different cultures as "mysticism." Ariel then located the Jewish mystical tradition within the context of Jewish history and traces its evolution throughout the ages. Jewish mystical theories about the hidden and revealed God, the feminine aspects of divinity, the mystical Torah, and the concepts of the soul and human destiny are then explored in detail. Finally, the author considers Hasidism and modern Jewish mystical thought, discussing the role of mysticism in contemporary Judaism.
In language accessible to the beginner, yet sophisticated enough to captivate the advanced student, The Mystic Quest fills an important gap in our knowledge of mysticism by bringing a comprehensive and fresh understanding of the subject to a new generation of
Jewish mysticism is as old as the Bible itself. It is a rich and subtle web of secret teachings and practices that has been part of Judaism since antiquity and has sought to keep the original spark of religious experience alive through the centuries. It is the relatively unknown, esoteric dimension of Judaism that has nourished a deep spiritual power within a tradition of law, ritual, and observance.
A central element in Judaism, the "mystic quest" has shaped both Judaism and Jews throughout history, generating the kabbalistic tradition and Hasidism, which continue to thrive today, As Ariel says, "This book is concerned primarily with the development and meaning of the Kabbalah, the principal tradition of mystical Jewish thought."
The Mystic Quest begins with an examination of the variety of phenomena known in different cultures as "mysticism." Ariel then located the Jewish mystical tradition within the context of Jewish history and traces its evolution throughout the ages. Jewish mystical theories about the hidden and revealed God, the feminine aspects of divinity, the mystical Torah, and the concepts of the soul and human destiny are then explored in detail. Finally, the author considers Hasidism and modern Jewish mystical thought, discussing the role of mysticism in contemporary Judaism.
In language accessible to the beginner, yet sophisticated enough to captivate the advanced student, The Mystic Quest fills an important gap in our knowledge of mysticism by bringing a comprehensive and fresh understanding of the subject to a new generation of
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
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August 21, 2023"According to the Kabbalists, names express the nature of things...The Torah is a 'code book' of divine names...The Kabbalist does not read the Torah for its narrative meaning; he reads it in search of the essence that is symbolized in the words of Torah." p. 118
"The study of the Torah is the loftiest purpose of human life becasue it is the self-revelation of God and the means by which God created the world...The Torah is the road map to God." p.121 "
"Platonic love is not asexual love, but rather the spiritual attraction of the soul for its original mate. This concept was adopted by many medieval writers including the author of the Zohar." p. 130
"Martin Buber, who first brought the popular teachings of Hasidism to wider recognition, explained that each person's specific task in ife is as unique as his specific opportunity to achieve it. Hasidism teachers that each situation in life presents a challenge to man and poses a problem for him to solve:
'Man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he was asked. Each man is questioned by life and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life.' (Buber). p. ?
"Rabbi Abraham Isaac, Chief Rabbi of Palestine, from 1919 to 1935 ... great contribution to Jewish thought may be his applicatioo of the dialectical theory of existence to the phenomea of Jewish history. rRav Kook suggests that the long periods of exile presented the Jewish people with certain intellectual and spiritual challenges that could stimulate a national process of redefinition, and ultimately restoration. He stated boldly that, mush to the chagrin of others, that atheism performmed a necessary function when it confronted Judaism and challenged it to examinie and redefine some of its more mythic and and anthropomorphic expressions of God." p.183
This book does not flow particularl well, but does contain some interesting information.
"The study of the Torah is the loftiest purpose of human life becasue it is the self-revelation of God and the means by which God created the world...The Torah is the road map to God." p.121 "
"Platonic love is not asexual love, but rather the spiritual attraction of the soul for its original mate. This concept was adopted by many medieval writers including the author of the Zohar." p. 130
"Martin Buber, who first brought the popular teachings of Hasidism to wider recognition, explained that each person's specific task in ife is as unique as his specific opportunity to achieve it. Hasidism teachers that each situation in life presents a challenge to man and poses a problem for him to solve:
'Man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he was asked. Each man is questioned by life and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life.' (Buber). p. ?
"Rabbi Abraham Isaac, Chief Rabbi of Palestine, from 1919 to 1935 ... great contribution to Jewish thought may be his applicatioo of the dialectical theory of existence to the phenomea of Jewish history. rRav Kook suggests that the long periods of exile presented the Jewish people with certain intellectual and spiritual challenges that could stimulate a national process of redefinition, and ultimately restoration. He stated boldly that, mush to the chagrin of others, that atheism performmed a necessary function when it confronted Judaism and challenged it to examinie and redefine some of its more mythic and and anthropomorphic expressions of God." p.183
This book does not flow particularl well, but does contain some interesting information.
August 22, 2026
Fascinating, succinct scholarship. Historical and well written, this is one of the better books I know on this endlessly fascinating subject.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews