Scholastic Magic

More about the book

Exploring the intersection of imagination and magic, the book delves into early Jewish mysticism, particularly between the fifth and ninth centuries. It recounts tales of ancient rabbis invoking the angel Sar-Torah, who granted them extraordinary memory and learning abilities. Michael Swartz analyzes visionary literature to reveal how marginalized Jewish communities perceived Torah and ritual, offering fresh insights into the classical Judaic concept of Torah and the rabbinic culture that shaped it.