A History of Jewish Mysticism: Mysticism in the Bible, Chassidic Mystics, the Talmud, the Zohar, Kabbalah

'A History of Jewish Mysticism' is a comprehensive, yet concise survey of the historical development of Jewish mysticism in both its devotional, or practical side, and its intellectual, or speculative side, along three lines (theological, psychological and ethical) throughout four clear epochs (the biblical period; the period of old Jewish esoteric teaching; the period of the Kabbalah proper, with a very clear explanation of the Zohar; and the era of Hassidism). The book's final chapter includes brief mention of the non-Jewish movements similar to the Kabbalah.This volume illuminates the entire field of mysticism, which is the form of religion 'striving to cultivate personal communion between the worshipper' and the source of creation.Extensive notes provide rich supplementary material, while the appendix includes many selections from the original works referred to in the text.