The Mechanics of Providence

The Mechanics of Providence The Workings of Ancient Jewish Magic and Mysticism - Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism

Hardback (29 Oct 2018)

  • $225.27
Add to basket

Includes delivery to the United States

1 copy available online - Usually dispatched within 7-10 days

Publisher's Synopsis

The phenomena we call magic and mysticism had a profound effect on the shaping of Judaism in late antiquity. In this volume, Michael D. Swartz offers a wide-ranging study of the purposes, world-views, ritual dynamics, literary forms, and social settings of ancient Jewish magic and mysticism and their function in religion and history. Based on the author's studies over the past few decades, he proposes innovative methods for the study of these two phenomena. The author focuses especially on the rituals of early Jewish magic and mysticism, their social contexts, and the textual dimension of this complex literature. He also offers introductions to these phenomena. Michael D. Swartz argues that the authors of these texts employed intricate technologies, literary and artistic forms, and physical practices to negotiate between the values and world-views of their cultures and the texture of everyday life.

Book information

ISBN: 9783161550027
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
Imprint: Mohr Siebeck
Pub date:
Language: English
Number of pages: 333 .
Weight: 676g
Height: 165mm
Width: 237mm
Spine width: 23mm