REL 6935 - Introduction to Kabbalistic Thought
🕎 Course Title: Introduction to Kabbalistic Thought
Course Code (FCNS-aligned): REL 6935
Justification:
- REL = Religious Studies (standard FCNS prefix for religion/philosophy of religion courses).
- 6xxx = Graduate-level (Master’s or Doctoral).
- 935 = Custom sequence number for special-topics seminars or advanced studies in Jewish mysticism.
Course Level
Graduate — Master’s / Doctoral (cross-listed and adaptable).
Credit Hours
3 credit hours
Course Description
This graduate seminar offers a rigorous introduction to the foundations of Kabbalistic thought within the Jewish mystical tradition. Students will explore the historical development, metaphysical structure, hermeneutic methods, and theological implications of Kabbalah from its origins in late antiquity through the early modern period. Textual study will include selections from the Sefer Yetzirah, Bahir, Zohar, and Etz Chaim, alongside modern scholarly interpretations.
The course emphasizes critical and comparative methods, situating Kabbalah in dialogue with Neoplatonism, medieval philosophy, Christian mysticism, and modern esotericism.
Prerequisites
- Graduate standing in Religious Studies, Philosophy, Theology, or Jewish Studies.
- Reading knowledge of Hebrew or Aramaic recommended but not required.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the major texts, figures, and historical periods of Kabbalistic development.
- Analyze the symbolic and metaphysical language of key Kabbalistic texts.
- Critically engage with primary sources using academic methodologies.
- Articulate how Kabbalistic cosmology and psychology relate to broader currents in Jewish and Western intellectual history.
- Develop an original research paper integrating textual analysis and theoretical reflection.
Course Format
- Seminar (3 hours weekly)
- Primary text study, guided discussion, and research presentations.
- Final paper and oral defense.
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Theme / Topic | Primary Readings | Secondary / Scholarly Sources |
| 1 | Introduction to Jewish Mysticism | Excerpts from Merkavah literature | Gershom Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism, Ch. 1 |
| 2 | The Origins of Kabbalistic Symbolism | Sefer Yetzirah | Moshe Idel, Kabbalah: New Perspectives, Ch. 2 |
| 3 | Early Kabbalah: Bahir and the Ten Sefirot | Sefer ha-Bahir (sections 1–60) | Elliot Wolfson, “The Symbol of the Tree in Medieval Kabbalah” |
| 4 | The Zoharic Corpus and Mystical Exegesis | Zohar, selections (Bereshit, Tikkunei Zohar) | Daniel Matt, The Zohar: Pritzker Edition (Intro) |
| 5 | Symbolic Anthropology: Adam Kadmon and the Cosmic Body | Etz Chaim (Lurianic text excerpts) | Isaiah Tishby, The Wisdom of the Zohar, Vol. 1 |
| 6 | Tzimtzum, Shevirah, and Tikkun | Lurianic Kabbalah | Moshe Idel, “On the Concept of Tzimtzum” |
| 7 | Kabbalistic Hermeneutics and Language Theory | Zohar passages on divine speech | Elliot Wolfson, Through a Speculum That Shines, Ch. 3 |
| 8 | Ethics and the Mystical Path | Hasidic reinterpretations | Martin Buber, Tales of the Hasidim |
| 9 | Kabbalah and Philosophy | Selections from Maimonides, juxtaposed | Scholem, Major Trends, Ch. 7 |
| 10 | Christian and Islamic Parallels | Pico della Mirandola, 900 Theses | Saverio Campanini, “Christian Kabbalah: A Reappraisal” |
| 11 | Modern and Contemporary Kabbalah | Rav Kook, Abraham Abulafia | Idel, Absorbing Perfections |
| 12 | Kabbalah and Psychology | Jung, Answer to Job; Fromm, You Shall Be as Gods | Sanford Drob, Symbols of the Kabbalah |
| 13 | Feminine Aspects of the Divine | Shekhinah in Zohar | Wolfson, Language, Eros, Being, Ch. 5 |
| 14 | Student Presentations | — | — |
| 15 | Synthesis and Reflections | Review and synthesis | — |
Assessment
| Component | Weight |
| Weekly response papers (1–2 pages) | 20% |
| Midterm analytical essay (8–10 pages) | 25% |
| Class participation / seminar leadership | 15% |
| Final research paper (15–20 pages) | 30% |
| Oral presentation | 10% |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, students will:
- Demonstrate mastery of foundational Kabbalistic texts.
- Apply hermeneutic, historical, and philosophical methodologies to mystical literature.
- Produce publishable-quality research integrating textual exegesis and theoretical frameworks.
Recommended Primary Sources
- Sefer Yetzirah, trans. Aryeh Kaplan
- Sefer ha-Bahir, ed. Gershom Scholem
- The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, trans. Daniel Matt
- Etz Chaim, Isaac Luria (selections)
Key Secondary Texts
- Gershom Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism
- Moshe Idel, Kabbalah: New Perspectives
- Elliot R. Wolfson, Through a Speculum That Shines
- Isaiah Tishby, The Wisdom of the Zohar
- Sanford Drob, Symbols of the Kabbalah
Course Delivery Options
- Online synchronous and asynchronous graduate seminar
- May be cross-listed as PHH 6935 (Philosophy) or JST 6935 (Jewish Studies).