Secrecy and Hermeneutics in the Zohar

Speaker: Dr. Avishai Bar-Asher, Lecturer at the Department of Jewish Thought, the Faculty of Humanities, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Coordinator: Dr. Koji Yamashiro, Project Researcher of the Division of Religion and Global Security at the RCAST of the University of Tokyo

*Date:
Part 1: Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 17:00-18:30 (Japan Time); 10:00-11:30(Israel Time)
Part 2: Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 17:00-18:30 (Japan Time); 10:00-11:30 (Israel Time)
* Venue: Zoom­­­­
* Language: English
* Registration: No charge. Advance registration required.
Please contact to: koji.yamashiro@gmail.com
* This seminar is part of the "Israel Month @UTokyo Komaba Research Campus" and organized by the research project  “Humanitas Futura: Constructing an International Research Network for the Study of Philosophy and Religion” at the Division of Religion and Global Security of the RCAST.

Description:
In this seminar we will read together several passages from the portion "Sava de-Mishpatim," one of the literary climaxes in the Book of Zohar. Set in the narrative framework of an encounter of two Sages with a Sava ("an old man"), "Sava de-Mishpatim" deals with a plethora of Kabbalistic mysteries, all of which are organized as a traditional interpretation of Scripture (midrash). This unit is dedicated to defining (and challenging) the realms of mystical interpretation of the Bible. Also, it develops a particular discussion on the Soul, its mystical relation to the Divine, and eschatology. 

During the sessions, we will dive into the mystery of the book of the Zohar. We will gradually become familiar with the characteristics of the book and acquire the first tools for reading the text. 

We will use the recent English translation of Prof. Daniel Matt (Pritzker Edition). Those who would like to tackle the original text (in Aramaic) are most welcome. As background and preparation, it is worth glancing at the beginning of Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus XXI-XXIII) and reading more closely Ex. XXIII:1-19. Together with the Sava, let us begin an extraordinary journey to the heart of the world of Kabbalah. 

Dr. Avishai Bar-Asher, Lecturer at the Department of Jewish Thought, the Faculty of Humanities, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
https://en.jewishthought.huji.ac.il/people/avishai-bar-asher

Avishai’s research interests include, among others, reception theory, textual study and intellectual history in the field of Jewish mysticism and esotericism in the Middle Ages. His first book, the critical edition of Moses de León's Sefer Mishkan ha-Edut, is a philological and historical study on one of the writings composed by the important Castilian kabbalist, who could arguably be considered as the central figure responsible for the composition and early diffusion of the main part of Sefer ha-Zohar. His recent book Journeys of the Soul Concepts and Imageries of Paradise in Medieval Kabbalah covers the most decisive period in the history of Jewish imagination on the Garden of Eden and offers a comprehensive analysis of paradigms, traditions, texts, and polemics therein. Avishai also serves as the head of the Program in Jewish Studies.

Dr. Koji Yamashiro is Project Researcher of the Division of Religion and Global Security at the RCAST of the University of Tokyo. He is the curator and coordinator of the research project  “Humanitas Futura: Constructing an International Research Network for the Study of Philosophy and Religion” based at the Division of Religion and Global Security of the RCAST.

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* “Israel Month @UTokyo Komaba Research Campus” is organized by ROLES (RCAST Open Laboratory for Emergence Strategies) of the University of Tokyo and supported by the Embassy of Israel in Japan.
* Contact Information: Division of Religion and Global Security (Ikeuchi Laboratory) of RCAST, the University of Tokyo: office＠me.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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ROLES (RCAST Open Laboratory for Emergence Strategies) of the University of Tokyo with the support of the Embassy of Israel in Japan, has organized “Israel Week” in 2021. The Year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Japan. With great pleasure, this year’s "Israel Month @UTokyo Komaba Research Campus" event will feature a series of webinars on the latest trends and developments in Israel and their impact on Japan-Israel relations. The webinars in this framework will cover a broad range of topics, including recent developments in relation between Japan and Israel, Israel and the Arab countries, Greentech and climate change technologies, the impact of blockchain technology on policies, and how Earth Science grasps the global warming. A series of virtual seminars and lectures on Jewish thought and other religious traditions are to be held on this occasion inviting leading scholars from Israel.
"Israel Month” aims to provide an international forum for the exchange of ideas and inspiration from researchers and experts across different fields, and to seek opportunities for collaboration among the participants from academia, NPOs, industry, and the public sector.