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 | | Israeli Society and the ‘Society of Learners’ | | Should Israel support a ‘society of learners’ in which ultra-Orthodox men study over the course of their adult lives and not join the workforce or serve in the army? Professors Shlomo Naeh, Zvi Zohar and Elhanan Reiner discuss the place of Torah scholars throughout the generations and the relevance of models from Jewish history for today | | Read More | |  | | | |
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 | | The Secrets of ‘Guide to the Perplexed’ | | In the introduction to the most important book in Jewish philosophy, the Rambam asks the reader to swear not to share its secrets with others. In this way, the Rambam hoped that his philosophy would not be taught by intermediaries. However, since this work was published, his students and interpreters have continually violated his instructions. Dr. Micah Goodman, who is currently completing the first book in Hebrew that is completely dedicated to the Guide to the Perplexed, explains why he also chose to reveal its secrets | | Read More | |  | | | |
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 | | Ancient Jewish Magic | | Does Jewish magic exist? Did our sages practice magic? Dr. Ishay Rosen-Zvi surveys Yovel Harari’s book on magic in Judaism, which shatters some of the myths relating to magic, and is part of a growing trend of academic study of this topic. It turns out that not only did most of the sages express an opinion on magic , but that dealing with magic was an elitist issue, rather than a foreign influence that penetrated only to the lower classes, as is often believed. Surprising rulings on the subject can be found even in the most fervent opponent to magic, Maimonides | | Read More | |  | | | |
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 | | Devekut | | Cleaving to God (devekut), up to the point of intimate spiritual closeness, is the most important value in the life of the faithful. However, as shown by Dr.Adam Afterman, devekut was a marginal commandment in the time of the Sages. Only under the influence of external philosophies did the great medieval Jewish thinkers give it a new meaning and a more significant status | | Read More | |  | | | |
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 | | Abraham Abulafia | | The kabbalist Abraham Abulafia journeyed to the Land of Israel at the age of 18, following the invasion of the Mongolians, risked his life attempting to meet the Pope, declared himself a prophet and Messiah, and was ultimately banned and isolated. Professor Moshe Idel’s survey clarifies how even amongst self-declared messiahs, the 13th century Abulafia was a unique figure; his thought focused on individual rather than national redemption and his techniques integrated intellectual and physical elements, some of which recall Eastern schools of thought | | Read More | | | | |
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