The Mystic: Life without Limits
Rachel Elior
Jewish Mysticism May 31, 2007 DOI: 10.3828/liverpool/9781874774679.003.0003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that a mystic in the Jewish tradition is characterized by spiritual greatness, the ability to cross boundaries of consciousness, and the reinterpretation of sacred texts through mystical symbols, thereby shattering existing frameworks and living in the world of Torah mysteries. |
Abstract
This chapter describes the mystic. A mystic is one who is gifted with spiritual greatness, vision, imagination, inspiration, and the ability to be exalted; one who is able, awake or in dreams, to cross boundaries of consciousness and to experience a feeling of immediate contact with higher worlds; one who experiences a transition from one reality to another through visions or dreams. By using mystical metaphors or kabbalistic symbols, the mystic is also able to reinterpret the literal meaning of the sacred text. By virtue of inner illumination or inspiration and authority from higher worlds, the mystic shatters existing frameworks, deconstructs established distinctions, and lives in the enigmatic world of Torah mysteries. In the Jewish tradition, people blessed with these qualities have been called prophets, visionaries, masters of secrets, kabbalists, tsadikim, or holy people. Their essential attributes were defined by a variety of concepts expressing the blurring of boundaries and the transcendence of limitations.