{"product_id":"ascensions-on-high-in-jewish-mysticism-scholarly-survey","title":"Ascensions on High in Jewish Mysticism - Scholarly Survey","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Ascensions on High in Jewish Mysticism the reviewer recommends the book primarily to scholars and serious readers interested in the history of Jewish religious imagination. Moshe Idel's study surveys a wide range of ascent motifs across Jewish mysticism and argues for a \u003cstrong\u003eperspectivist\u003c\/strong\u003e approach that combines multiple scholarly methods; the single biggest reason to read it is the attention to architectural imagery such as pillars, lines, and ladders, which gives fresh concrete shape to otherwise abstract descriptions of spiritual ascent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive historical scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book traces ascent motifs from the earliest phases of Jewish mysticism up through the period before Hasidism, helping readers see continuities and shifts over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural imagery focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Idel highlights pillars, lines, and ladders as recurring visual metaphors, making complex mystical ideas more tangible for students of religion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author situates the Jewish pillar motif alongside archaic uses in rural societies, offering a broader cultural context for interpretation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly synthesis:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book surveys a variety of academic approaches to religion and proposes an eclectic methodology that encourages reading texts from multiple angles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise thematic treatment:\u003c\/strong\u003e By concentrating on ascent categories, the volume provides a focused entry point for further research rather than an encyclopedic compendium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScholars, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in Jewish studies, religious studies, and intellectual history will find this work most valuable, especially those researching mysticism, ritual symbols, or metaphor. Readers who appreciate close readings of images and comparative cultural references will gain the most from Idel's perspectivist framing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeneral readers seeking an introduction to mysticism without prior background may find parts of the discussion dense; those looking for a broad survey of Hasidic practice or a popularized narrative history should look elsewhere in favor of more accessible introductions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt offers a clear focus on \u003cstrong\u003earchitectural metaphors\u003c\/strong\u003e, illuminating recurring motifs like pillars and ladders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdel's comparative use of rural archaic pillars provides valuable cultural context often missing in narrowly textual studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book advocates an eclectic \u003cstrong\u003eperspectivist\u003c\/strong\u003e method that encourages multi-angle readings useful to researchers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe treatment can be scholarly and compact, which may be challenging for casual readers without academic training.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAscensions on High in Jewish Mysticism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePasts Incorporated: Studies in the Humanities - CEU Press\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoshe Idel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAscent motifs and architectural imagery in Jewish mysticism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative element\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparison to archaic pillar use in rural societies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrom inception of Jewish mysticism until Hasidism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAscensions on High in Jewish Mysticism is a focused, scholarly study that rewards readers who want a rigorous examination of ascent imagery and method. Its emphasis on \u003cstrong\u003earchitectural metaphors\u003c\/strong\u003e and an eclectic perspectivist methodology makes it especially worthwhile for researchers and advanced students seeking a structured, comparative treatment rather than a popular overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover Hasidic ascents?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book surveys ascent motifs up until Hasidism but focuses primarily on earlier phases and themes rather than detailed Hasidic practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior background in Jewish studies required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrior familiarity with basic terms in mysticism and religious studies helps, as the analysis is scholarly and assumes some contextual knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the author use comparative examples?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; Idel explicitly compares the pillar motif to archaic uses in rural societies to broaden interpretive context.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moshe Idel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48235963187419,"sku":"9637326022","price":81.58,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51yZ5TuYwyL._SL1491.jpg?v=1770743246","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/ascensions-on-high-in-jewish-mysticism-scholarly-survey","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}