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Hezser, Catherine (2021) ''He Who Sits Crowned on the Throne of His Glory': Body Posture in Hekhalot Rabbati and in Rabbinic Literature.' In: Hamidovic, David, Mimouni, Simon C. and Painchaud, Louis, (eds.), La "sacerdotalisation" dans les premiers écrits mystiques juifs et chrétiens. Turnhout (Belgium): Brepols, pp. 41-56. (Judaïsme ancien et origines du christianisme (JAOC 22))

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Abstract

Body language constitutes a prominent feature of Hekhalot Rabbati's presentation of the mystical experience. This article compares the ways in which three types of movement - sitting on a chair, standing up before a status-higher person, kneeling and prostration - are presented in Hekhalot Rabbati and in classical rabbinic texts. The main questions are: Who is said to have performed the respective movement in which context? How does Hekhalot Rabbati's representation compare with rab­binic references? What does the literary presentation reveal about the social and theological concerns of the composers of the text? While the tradents and editors seem to have been familiar with biblical and rabbinic literature, they use these texts in eclectic and innovative ways, transforming established religious hierarchies and the very notion of Jewish religious practice. Precedence is given to the visionary experience of the divine as a supplement to and advancement over rabbinic Tora knowledge and observance.

Item Type: Book Chapters
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > School of History, Religions & Philosophies > Department of Religions & Philosophies
ISBN: 9782503592992
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1484/M.JAOC-EB.5.122765
Date Deposited: 01 Oct 2021 13:09
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/35572
Related URLs: http://www.brep ... 9782503592992-1 (Publisher URL)

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