Mutual responsibility in Kabbalistic thought: ethics, theology and gender

This article explores the evolution of the concept of ‘mutual responsibility’ from the biblical and Talmudic eras to medieval Kabbalistic literature, and to analyse the notion of arvut and its implications through the prism of gender. I suggest that whereas in the Bible and in rabbinic literature th...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Jewish studies
Main Author: Ḳara-Iṿanov Ḳaniʾel, Rut 1979- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: 2021
In: Journal of Jewish studies
Year: 2021, Volume: 72, Issue: 1, Pages: 95-115
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article explores the evolution of the concept of ‘mutual responsibility’ from the biblical and Talmudic eras to medieval Kabbalistic literature, and to analyse the notion of arvut and its implications through the prism of gender. I suggest that whereas in the Bible and in rabbinic literature the ‘negative’ aspect of mutual responsibility was emphasized, with a focus on one’s obligation to take responsibility for another’s sins or for his soul, in Kabbalistic literature metaphysical and ‘positive’ aspects of mutual responsibility were developed. I discuss the connection between arvut and the doctrine of gilgul, and other practices such as the Pilgrimage Festival, which illustrates the metaphysical idea of responsibility.
ISSN:2056-6689
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Jewish studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.18647/3484/jjs-2021