A Comparison between Abraham Abulafia and Israel Baal Shem Tov: Focusing on the Relationship of the Idea of Devekut to the Image of Torah

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Abstract

Previous research has shown a relationship between the thought of Abraham Abulafia and Israel Baal Shem Tov (the Besht). Building on this research, this paper compares and contrasts Abulafia and the Besht's traditions regarding the relationship of the idea of devekut to the image of Torah. In particular, I will focus on Abulafia's conceptualization of the idea of the Active Intellect's conjunction with the human soul, and the further relationship between the Active Intellect and Torah. I compare Aulafia's view of the devekut to the Besht's idea of unio mystica, and its relationship to his understanding of Torah's images. I analyze the two thinkers' respective views of Torah's roles as a mediator between God and humans. In all, this paper will offer a critical analysis of the phenomenology of the Torah in thought of two seminal figures in the history of Jewish mysticism.

Author

• Jeong Mun Heo, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University