Canadian scholar explores 'How the Zohar Came to Be' at Nov. 15 lunch

Renowned Canadian Jewish scholar, Ira Robinson, will address the topic, How the Zohar Came to Be, at a Lunch and Learn event at Beth El – The Heights Synagogue, on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Kabbala (Jewish mysticism) is one of the most significant ways of understanding Judaism that developed in medieval times. It started out as the expression of a closed circle of scholars and transformed itself in the 16th century to become a popular movement. One of the ways this happened is through the emergence of the Zohar as the primary Kabbalistic text. Among followers of Kabbalistic teachings, the Zohar is a holy book. Yet from the time it became widely known, it has been the subject of controversy in terms of its origins, whether it should be printed, and whether ordinary Jews should study it. This talk will examine the history of the Zohar and provide approaches to understanding these issues.

Ira Robinson is professor of Judaic studies in the Department of Religion of Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. He earned his B.A. at Johns Hopkins University, his B.H.L. at Baltimore Hebrew College, his M.A. at Columbia University, and his Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University.

The luncheon and talk are free to all, but non-members should call Joel Genuth at 617-943-2076 to make lunch reservations. Lunch will start at about 12:15 p.m. Beth El – The Heights Synagogue is located at 3246 Desota Ave. in Cleveland Heights.

Carol Bruml

Carol Bruml is the communications chair and newsletter editor for Beth El - The Heights Synagogue.

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Volume 7, Issue 11, Posted 4:47 PM, 10.30.2014