Book Review: Sefer Yeṣirah and Its Contexts: Other Jewish Voices by Tzahi Weiss
Natalie E. Latteri
Tzahi Weiss. Sefer Yeṣirah and Its Contexts: Other Jewish Voices , Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. Pp. ix, 196. $59.95. ISBN: 9780812249903.

The Hebrew text known as the or Book Formation has piqued interest scholars early medieval philosophy those central- to late-medieval mysticism magic for centuries. In Weiss extends in this mysticism, magical praxis, Jewish-Christian relations. Through an exploration ’s specific methods letter speculation, grammar, textual reception, presents a two-pronged argument. First, he contends that much-debated compositional context was most likely 7th-century Christian Syria. And, second, readers understood it mystical treatise long before late 12th century, is commonly assumed.

Weiss divides his slim volume into introduction, five chapters, epilogue, two appendices. The first appendix addresses scholarly arguments originated Abbasid world influenced by Arabic grammar; second provides transcription 11th-century recension (Ms. Vatican 299/4) bases on, accompanied Peter A. Hayman’s English translation. Along with review scholarship treating statement Weiss’ departure from, indebtedness to, contributions field, Introduction quick summary contents describing God’s formation from numbers …
Journal of medieval worlds