This course offers a study of the nature of secret knowledge in the Jewish tradition. Beginning with the Second Temple Period (ca. 200 bce) and extending till modern times, we will survey the nature

of Kabbalistic thought and religious practice. This year’s version of the course features a concluding unit that studies the role of kabbalistic tradition in Jewish messianic movements, from the “Jesus movement” of Second Temple times to the most recent emergence of messianic passion surrounding the late Lubavitcher Rebbe.