The Origins of Jewish Mysticism

(Princeton University Press) In this book, Schäfer details the history of Jewish mysticism. He studies various sources including the literature of Enoch, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Merkavah mystics. Schäfer reveals what these writings seek to tell us about the human desire to get closer to and communicate with God. Schäfer is the Ronald O. Perelman Professor of Jewish Studies and professor of religion at Princeton University.