Rhineland Pietists to Mishnaic Period: Medieval and Pre-Medieval Transmission of Jewish Esoteric Traditions

GEONIC ESOTERIC WRITINGS IN BABYLONIAN ACADEMIES

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Then even earlier than the Spanish traditions, Geonic¹ esoteric writings were held among initiatory groups in Babylonian academies for esoteric study between the 8th-11th centuries CE. The evidences for this is from Rav Hai Gaon, letters on Shi`ur Qomah and magical names, including the Babylonian academies referred to that had Havurot for esoteric study.

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1. The Geonic esoteric writings refers to the body of mystical literature produced during the period called “Geonic” which is dated between the 6th or 7th to 11th centuries CE in Babylonia, which historically connects earlier Talmudic mysticism (Merkabah and Beresit or Genesis lore) and the later, established system of the Kabbalah. Hai ben Sherira (better known Rav Hai Gaon) was the last of the Babylonion Geonim (brilliant minds or luminaries) of Pumbeditha, head of the Sura yeshiva. The famous yeshivas or Babylonian Talmudic academies flourished from the 6th to 11th centuries. Hai Goan is one of the most important medieval Jewish theologians, rabbi and scholar during the 11th century, dying in 1038. ↩︎

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