Medieval Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism

Abstract

Abstract Using both primary and secondary sources, this analysis advances the claim that Philo exerted a concrete influence on medieval Jewish thought and mysticism. The first section focuses on scholarly evaluations made during the twentieth century of Philo’s impact on Jewish intellectual traditions of the Middle Ages. By exploring previous scientific assessments, we discuss viable ways of discerning Philonic concepts in Jewish medieval thought. Within the framework of Jewish Neoplatonism, we then point to Philo’s line of thinking in several sources as well as potential paths of transmission in this respect. In the last thematic section, we carve out salient parallels between kabbalistic notions of creation, revelation, and language and corresponding Philonic ideas. Drawing on the Zohar and Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla’s works, we maintain that there are similar forms of esoteric knowledge dissemination in Philo’s writings, which also showcase a unique blend of Jewish and Greek conceptions