From the 11th to the 13th centuries Jewish expression underwent a remarkable renaissance that saw the birth of its greatest philosophical and mystical exponents. We will study Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed as a universalistic philosophy of religion, as well as an exponent of the particulars of Jewish law. The second half of the course will examine the extraordinary rise of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition that flourished in Spain from the end of the 13th century. Besides considering the relations between Maimonides and the mystics we will also examine the different but equally daring reading techniques of philosophers and mystics alike. -- Course Website
Instructor: Michael Fagenblat and Nathan Wolski
