KABBALITERATURE

This intertextual study explores the
interrelationship between some Hebrew writers and
kabbalistic texts. The premise is that some early
mystical texts have certain fundamental poetic
characteristics that became a fertile source for
later Hebrew literature. The nature of the
kabbalistic texts coincides with their infinite
interpretability, which can also be applied to
literary texts. This inquiry applies
this multi-interpretability as a method of
interpretation. The different varieties of
intertextuality in this study suggest a
rethinking of the religious/secular distinction in
regard to Hebrew literature, and especially within
the context of Zionism. The inquiry focuses on the
unique ways in which a secret doctrine is employed
in literary texts. In addition it examines the
general way in which intertextuality operates, and
enables new readings of both the literary texts and
their kabbalistic precursors. The study emphasizes
the common characteristics of the mystical
experience and the poetic experience. Both
kabbalistic and literary texts aim to communicate
the incommunicable while confined within the
boundaries of language.

Autorentext

Nitsa Kann is the author of two Hebrew poetry books, Black Soul Singer (1989), and Woman With Child (1992, National Award), and the author of two Hebrew novels, Gazelle of Love (1995) and Herotica (1998). She earns her Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. Kann is a professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at Dickinson College.

Klappentext

This intertextual study explores the interrelationship between some Hebrew writers and kabbalistic texts. The premise is that some early mystical texts have certain fundamental poetic characteristics that became a fertile source for later Hebrew literature. The nature of the kabbalistic texts coincides with their infinite interpretability, which can also be applied to literary texts. This inquiry applies this multi-interpretability as a method of interpretation. The different varieties of intertextuality in this study suggest a rethinking of the religious/secular distinction in regard to Hebrew literature, and especially within the context of Zionism. The inquiry focuses on the unique ways in which a secret doctrine is employed in literary texts. In addition it examines the general way in which intertextuality operates, and enables new readings of both the literary texts and their kabbalistic precursors. The study emphasizes the common characteristics of the mystical experience and the poetic experience. Both kabbalistic and literary texts aim to communicate the incommunicable while confined within the boundaries of language.