Numerous religious traditions maintain that there is a connection between the divine and human realms of existence. Divine interaction occurs either by the divine realm entering the physical world or by humans ascending and penetrating the divine sphere. For most individuals familiar with traditional Judaism, this might seem, at first glance, largely the domain of pagan religions. But a closer look quickly reveals that ascents into the divine realm, while not common, are not foreign to either the biblical or rabbinic tradition.
A few examples include the legendary ascent of Enoch, which, contrary to popular opinion, is not simply a Christian fixation or the domain of the community of Qumran . The Enoch tradition, with its antecedents or at least parallels in Akkadian lore, is also found in the mystical ascents of the rabbinic text known as Sefer Heikhalot. There are other individuals, such as Elijah, who also ascend to heaven via a fiery chariot. There is an additional figure, which is often forgotten. This is none other than Moses, who “went up to God”. In the Talmud, we also read of the four who entered Pardes. Whether this was a literal spiritual ascent is unclear. We can find other examples, e.g., Rabbi Eliezer and the appearance of Akatriel. In Sefer Heikhalot, Rabbi Yishmael ascends into the divine realm where he encounters the angel Metatron.
Moshe Idel asserts that the need or desire to keep open the channel between the divine sphere and the physical realm is related to another fundamental notion. This is the idea of replication. The concept is not merely rooted in the basic human drive to reproduce. It is, rather, according to Idel, based on the need or desire of the divine realm to reproduce itself as well. This sort of reproduction establishes a link between the two spheres. This bond, Idel explains, reflects a parent-child relationship. It establishes the idea of sonship.
The purpose of the book is to summarize Moshe Idel’s essential perspectives found in his monumental work titled Ben: Sonship and Jewish Mysticism. The goal is to provide the perspectives of other scholars and this author’s own insights, where appropriate, and to give the reader a brief, simplified introduction to this fascinating topic and the incredible work of Moshe Idel.
