Ancient Texts
Jewish mysticism: Ancient texts
Ancient Texts pages that draw on Jewish mysticism, each with the sources shown. Start with 3 Enoch (Sefer Hekhalot), Merkabah (throne-chariot), Metatron.
Texts · Jewish mysticism (Hekhalot)3 Enoch (Sefer Hekhalot)Imagine a man enlarged until his body filled the length and breadth of the world, with seventy-two wings, flesh turned to flame, and eyelids that flash like lightning. In this Hebrew text, Enoch tells a rabbi how he became the angel Metatron. It was written centuries after the rabbi it names. Who really wrote it?Objects · Jewish mysticismMerkabah (throne-chariot)Ancient rabbis ruled that the first chapter of Ezekiel was too dangerous to teach openly. The Talmud tells of four men who entered a mystical "orchard": one died, one went mad, one became a heretic, and only Rabbi Akiva came out in peace. What did the vision of a fiery throne-chariot do to them?Beings · Jewish mysticism (Hekhalot)MetatronIn the Talmud, a rabbi climbs to heaven, sees Metatron seated, and decides there may be two powers in heaven. To fix the mistake, Metatron is given sixty lashes of fire. Later texts say he was once the human Enoch, then turned to flame and called "the lesser YHWH." How does a man become the highest angel?
Other shelves in Ancient Texts
Updated