Mystical Theology and Social Reform

This chapter examines how Judah Loew's mystical theology and his social reform program are interconnected, following a pattern found in Western and Jewish mystical traditions. It explores his views on contemporary social issues, particularly the quality of rabbinic leadership and the theory, practice, and content of Jewish education. The authors argue that Loew's social criticism, mystical theology, and personal concerns form a comprehensive whole, and that one cannot separate Loew the educator from Loew the mystic, nor the social reformer from the theologian. The chapter contends that his mystical theology and social dissent are inseparable from the man himself.

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on the relationship between Judah Loew's theological constructs and his program for social reform. By intertwining his mystical theology with his social dissent, Judah Loew follows a pattern characteristic of the Western mystical tradition in general and of the Jewish mystical tradition in particular. The chapter then explores Loew's views on contemporary social issues, specifically the quality of rabbinic leadership, and the theory, practice, and content of Jewish education. It is clear that his social criticism, his mystical theology, and his personal concerns, rather than being separate and disjoined, coalesce to form a comprehensive whole. One may not separate Loew the educator from Loew the mystic. One may not disassociate Loew the social reformer from Loew the theologian. One may not disjoin the mystical theology of the Maharal of Prague, nor his social dissent, from the man whose legacy they are.