Peter Schäfer: The Origins of Jewish Mysticism

What is Jewish mysticism before the Kabbalah? Peter Schäfer, Professor of Judaic Studies at Princeton University, has written the first comprehensive history of early Jewish mysticism from the biblical book of Ezekiel to the so-called chariot mysticism at the end of the first millennium.

Schäfer has thus closed a research gap in his consideration of the Hebrew Bible, the apocalyptic literature, the Qumran sect, Philo of Alexandria, and rabbinic literature. Furthermore, the book considers the teachings on the ancient human desire to get close to God.