The Sociology of Contemporary Jewish Mysticism in Comparative Perspective

[RG #115] The Sociology of Contemporary Jewish Mysticism in Comparative Perspective

September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009

Organizers:

Jonathan Garb (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Philip Wexler (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

The research group seeks to address the vibrancy of contemporary Jewish mysticism, both as a social movement and as an emerging research field, as well as the absence of comparative and social scientific study of this exciting temporary development. Our goals are to draw on the significant strength of the academic expertise of the group members in the sociology and social psychology of religion, the study of classical and contemporary Kabbalah and the comparison between mystical systems. We believe that this will serve to support and enrich the work of Israeli researchers who are exploring numerous case studies, yet without a strong theoretical and comparative foundation.

Some of the central themes we will explore include: topics in Jewish mysticism, with an emphasis on contemporary and "modern" Jewish mysticism; studies in comparative mysticism, where we will explore both historical and contemporary questions, especially in Buddhism and Christianity, but also with regard to Islam; more general issues that touch on the theory and method of the study of mysticism. Within this last category, we will explore sociological, anthropological, social psychological and psychological questions that traverse the specific traditions and modern expressions of the varieties of contemporary mysticism.

2008-2009 Research Groups 2008-2009

Members

Yoram Bilu

FELLOW

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Yoram is a professor in the Department of Sociology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research interests are culture and mental health, and anthropology of religion.

Jonathan Garb

FELLOW

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Jonathan is a professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research interests are modern Kabbalah, comparitive mysticism, mussar, and shamanism.

Boaz Huss

FELLOW

Ben-Gurion University

Boaz is a professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. His research interests are history of Kabbalah, reception of the Zohar, contemporary Kabbalah, Kabbalah and westen esotericism, and genealogies of Jewish mysticism.

David Loy

FELLOW

Xavier University

David is a professor in the Department of Ethics, Religion and Society at Xavier University. His research interests are comparative philosophy and religion, and Buddhist social theory.

Zvi Mark

FELLOW

Bar-Ilan University

Zvi is a professor in the Department of Literature of the Jewish People at Bar-Ilan University. His research interests are Hasidism and Hebrew literature.

William Parsons

FELLOW

Rice University

William is a professor in the Religious Studies Department at Rice University. His research interests are the social scientific study of religion, and comparative mysticism.

Philip Wexler

FELLOW

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Philip is a professor in the School of Education at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Elliot R. Wolfson

FELLOW

New York University

Elliot is a professor in the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University. His research interests are Kabbalah, religious studies, poetics, Continental and Far Eastern philosophy, and gender theory.