The Heart and the Fountain: An Anthology of Jewish Mystical Experiences

by Joseph Dan (Editor)

Author of more than fifty books, winner of the 1997 Israel Prize, Joseph Dan is one of the world's leading authorities on Jewish mysticism. In this superb anthology, Dan not only presents illuminating excerpts from the most important mystical texts, but also delves into the very meaning of
mysticism itself.
Dan takes readers through the historical development of Jewish mysticism, from late antiquity to the modern period. He explores the Kabbalah, the esoteric tradition that delves into the secrets delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and the emergence of Hasidism, and much more. He presents
the great texts, from Hekhalot Rabbati, "The Greater Book of Divine Palaces," set in the temple in Jerusalem; to the apocalyptic vision of Abraham Abulafia in the thirteenth century; to the Zohar, perhaps the best-known volume of all. For each piece, he offers an extended introduction that deftly
places the work in the context of its time and its antecedents. Equally important, in his opening essay, he addresses the paradoxes inherent in Jewish mysticism, noting for instance that "mystical" is a Christian concept, one that poorly describes the relevant strains of Judaism, and that a mystical
approach to religious truth springs from a deep doubt that language can communicate divine truth.
"Mysticism is that which cannot be expressed in words, period," Dan writes. In this remarkable volume, he guides us through that seemingly impenetrable barrier to show how the inexpressible has been expressed in some of the most profound and challenging writing in existence.

Genres: Judaism, Judaica, Mysticism, Jewish, Reference

336 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Ozma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“R. Ishmael said: Metatron, Prince of the Divine Presence, said to me: In addition to all these qualities, the Holy One, blessed be he, laid his hand on me and blessed me with 1,365,000 blessings. I was enlarged and increased in size till I matched the world in length and breadth. He made to grow on me 72 wings, 36 on one side and 36 on the other, and each single wing covered the entire world. He fixed in me 365,000 eyes and each eye was like the Great Light. There was no sort of splendor, brilliance, brightness, or beauty in the luminaries of the world that he failed to fix on me.”

[Mark Matzeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always difficult to find the words to discuss works focusing on transcending language.
Prof. Dan's introductory paragraphs treating the difference between Hebrew and every other language as well as the poet Bialik's essay on the transcendental nature of language vis-a-vis "reality" bookended the volume with concepts that will occupy my contemplations for a long while.

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. Jewish Mysticism is very complicated so it is a book to study and read again. He provides a lot of translations of texts from Jewish mystics throughout history. It is a very thoughtful book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read another book put together by Joseph Dan, since his book on Kabbalah was such solid gold. His insight into the various writings gathered here is very helpful.

[Ebin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great survey and good place to start...