Foundations of Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism: From Ancient Texts to the Zohar

Jewish mysticism is one of the richest and least understood dimensions of Jewish religious thought. It encompasses a universe of symbolic language — the sefirot, Ein Sof, the four worlds, the divine name — that has shaped Jewish theology, prayer, and practice for centuries while remaining largely opaque to those without a guide to its conceptual vocabulary. This course provides that guide: a careful, historically grounded introduction to the major streams of Jewish mystical tradition. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the major historical phases of Jewish mysticism from the Talmudic period to the medieval Kabbalah, explain the kabbalistic system of the ten sefirot as a map of divine reality and the human soul, situate the Zohar within the history of Jewish literature and discuss its major themes, and distinguish between Kabbalah as academic study and as living religious practice. What you will learn: - Early Jewish mysticism: Merkavah (Chariot) and Hekhalot literature and the tradition of heavenly ascent - Sefer Yetzirah: creation through letters and numbers, the earliest kabbalistic cosmology - The emergence of Kabbalah in Provence and Gerona: key figures including Nachmanides and the Bahir - The Zohar: authorship questions, literary form, Aramaic language, and central theological claims - The ten sefirot: Ein Sof, Keter, Chokhmah, Binah, through to Malkhut — structure and meaning - The concept of tzimtzum (divine contraction) as the precondition for creation - The doctrine of gilgul (transmigration of souls) and its ethical implications - Lurianic Kabbalah: the breaking of the vessels (shevirat ha-kelim) and the project of repair (tikkun) The course is organized chronologically and thematically across six units, each introducing a period or school of thought through explanatory readings, translated primary source excerpts, and contextual case examples. Reflection prompts invite you to consider how mystical ideas relate to mainstream Jewish theology and practice. A glossary of key Kabbalistic terms is woven through the units and consolidated at the end. No specialized prior knowledge is assumed, though familiarity with basic Jewish religious concepts is helpful. This course is designed for students of religion, Jewish studies, and intellectual history, as well as spiritually curious individuals from any background. It is suitable for those new to Kabbalah as an academic and religious subject. No prior background in Jewish learning is required, though an open and analytical mind will serve you well throughout.