Along the Path: Studies in Kabbalistic Myth, Symbolism, and Hermeneutics

1. The Image of Jacob Engraved upon the Throne: Further Reflection on the Esoteric Doctrine of the German Pietists

• 1 • THE IMAGE OF JACOB ENGRAVED UPON THE THRONE: FURTHER REFLECTION ON THE ESOTERIC DOCTRINE OF THE GERMAN PIETISTS Verily, at this time that which was hidden has been revealed because forgetfulness has reached its final limit; the end of forgetfulness is the beginning of remembrance. -Abraham Abulafia, )Or ha-Sekhel, MS Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek 92, fol. 59b One of the most interesting motifs in the world of classical rabbinic aggadah is that of the image of Jacob engraved on the throne of glory. My intention in this chapter is to examine in detail the utilization of this motif in the rich and varied literature of Eleazar ben Judah of Worms, the leading literary exponent of the esoteric and mystical pietism cultivated by the Kalonymide circle of German Pietists in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The first part of the chapter will investigate the ancient traditions connected to this motif as they appear in sources from Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in order to establish the basis for the distinctive understanding that evolves in the main circle of German Pietists to be discussed in the second part. As I will argue in detail later, the motif of the image of Jacob has a special significance in the theosophy of the German Pietists, particularly as it is expounded in the case of Eleazar. The amount of attention paid by previous scholarship to this theme is disproportionate in relation to 1 • 1 • THE IMAGE OF JACOB ENGRAVED UPON THE THRONE: FURTHER REFLECTION ON THE ESOTERIC DOCTRINE OF THE GERMAN PIETISTS Verily, at this time that which was hidden has been revealed because forgetfulness has reached its final limit; the end of forgetfulness is the beginning of remembrance. -Abraham Abulafia, )Or ha-Sekhel, MS Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek 92, fol. 59b One of the most interesting motifs in the world of classical rabbinic aggadah is that of the image of Jacob engraved on the throne of glory. My intention in this chapter is to examine in detail the utilization of this motif in the rich and varied literature of Eleazar ben Judah of Worms, the leading literary exponent of the esoteric and mystical pietism cultivated by the Kalonymide circle of German Pietists in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The first part of the chapter will investigate the ancient traditions connected to this motif as they appear in sources from Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in order to establish the basis for the distinctive understanding that evolves in the main circle of German Pietists to be discussed in the second part. As I will argue in detail later, the motif of the image of Jacob has a special significance in the theosophy of the German Pietists, particularly as it is expounded in the case of Eleazar. The an10unt of attention paid by previous scholarship to this theme is disproportionate in relation to 1 2 ALONG THE PATH the central place that it occupies in the esoteric ruminations of the Kalonymide Pietists.' From several passages in the writings of Eleazar it is clear that the motif of the image of Jacob is covered and cloaked in utter secrecy. I will mention here two of the more striking examples that illustrate my point: in his commentary on the liturgy Eleazar concludes a section in which he discusses several issues related to this image with the assertion Jein lefaresh yoter, "the matter cannot be further explained."2 In a second passage from a text that is essentially a commentary on the cAmidah, the traditional standing prayer of eighteen benedictions, Eleazar again mentions the image of Jacob engraved on the throne and quickly notes: we-Jein lefaresh ha-kol ki cim be-cal peh la-)jsh ha-yare J borJo be-khol Jet, "the matter cannot be fully explained except orally to one who fears his Creator at all times."3 The reluctance on the part of Eleazar to disclose matters pertaining to the motif of the image of Jacob is not something incidental or inconsequential . On the contrary, I assume that there is a profound secret here that may provide the scholar with an important key with which to discern the esoteric doctrine of the German Pietistic theosophy. A precise textual analysis should enable us to uncover this secret. The thesis that I put forth here is that in the circle of Judah the Pious-as is known in particular from the writings of Eleazar of Worms-there was transmitted an esoteric doctrine predicated on bisexuality...