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Through the Zohar, the major medieval kabbalistic work, the human body is used in order to symbolise the divine structure. Present throughout are also dire warnings against the dangers of the flesh – a sense of anxiety often surrounds matters of the body. This study examines how the central notion of the body as created in God’s image relates to the negative zoharic characterizations of the body and further, how notions of gender and Jewish religious affiliation are reflected in the zoharic views of the body. The results show that characterizations of the body can work to reinforce boundaries and define the own group. The female body is valued differently than the male, the Jewish differently than the non-Jewish body. The idealized human body belongs to the circumcised Jewish male who adheres to proper religious behaviour. The aim of this thesis is to enrich our understanding of the human body as depicted in the major kabbalistic tradition of the Zohar.

This dissertation presents a Whiteheadian interpretation of the notions of mind, immanence and process as they are addressed in the Zohar. According to many scholars, this kabbalistic creation story as portrayed in the Zohar is a reaction to the earlier rabbinic concept of God qua creator, which emphasized divine transcendence over divine immanence. The medieval Jewish philosophers, particularly Maimonides influenced by Aristotle, placed particular emphasis on divine transcendence, seeing a radical separation between Creator and creation. With this in mind, these scholars claim that one of the goals of the Zohar’s creation story was to emphasize God’s immanence within creation. Similar to the Zohar, the process metaphysics of Alfred North Whitehead and his followers was reacting to the substance metaphysics that had dominated Western philosophy as far back as ancient Greek thought. Whitehead adopts a very similar narrative to that of the Zohar. First there is mind containing all the eternal objects which serve as potential for the creation (God’s primordial nature). Mind becomes immanent in all actual occasions through prehension (God’s consequent nature). Finally God becomes “the lure” (to use Whitehead’s phrase) in the ongoing process of nature (God as superject). In this narrative, God is not the static being, the unmoved mover as discussed by Aristotle, but rather, is portrayed as a dynamic becoming, a God of process. Due to these significant similarities between Whitehead’s process philosophy and the Zohar with regard to the immanence of God and the process of creation, it is worthwhile to attempt a process interpretation of the kabbalistic creation story. The first part of this dissertation is entitled Philosophical Foundations, focusing on the intellectual framework of this study of the Zohar. The second part is entitled Creating a Narrative, looking at the text of the Zohar through the lens of Whitehead’s metaphysics. Finally, the conclusion looks at the narrative and discusses whether the goals of the dissertation have been achieved. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The objective of my dissertation is an analysis of selected passages from the Book of Zohar. The selected texts are analyzed from the synchronic and diachronic point of view. The synchronic approach consists of detailed grammatical study of all contained lexical units and its result is a Czech translation that reflects the interpretative variations as well. The diachronic approach incorporates Czech translation of important rabbinical commentaries and scientific discourse on analyzed themes. My dissertation gives a discussion of the nature of zoharic Aramaic and its literary sources. The scientific question is an evaluation of Moses de-Le'on's success rate in his endeavor to imitate the Aramaic of Targum Onkelos.

Este estudo objetiva apresentar e discutir os principais conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema, de Itamar Even-Zohar, a aplicação de seus conceitos à realidade brasileira e as suas contribuições aos estudos literários e à Literatura Comparada. São apresentados os conceitos de sistema e de polissistema, uma hipótese para a estruturação do sistema literário, pela qual são apresentados os conceitos de instituição, mercado, produtor, consumidor, repertório e produto, e hipóteses para a definição de leis de interferência literária. Para a aplicação dos conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema à realidade brasileira, este trabalho realiza um breve estudo de caso sobre o papel da Internet no sistema literário brasileiro contemporâneo. Em primeiro lugar, é discutido o conceito de hipertexto sob a ótica dos trabalhos de Pierre Lévy, Alckmar Luiz dos Santos e Ingedore Koch. Em segundo lugar, é discutido o conceito de blog e sua relação com o de hipertexto. Em terceiro lugar, o texto publicado em blog A Saga do Primeiro Beijo, de Alessandra Félix, é utilizado para a aplicação dos conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema e comparado, do ponto de vista formal, ao folhetim. Dessa forma, visualiza-se o conjunto de contribuições dos trabalhos de Even-Zohar e procura-se comprovar suas principais hipóteses. / Based on Even-Zohar's Polysystem Theory, this work not only presents and discusses its main concepts, but also applies it to the Brazilian scenario, in addition to its contributions to literary studies and comparative literature. After presenting definitions for systems and polysystems, it exposes the hypothesis for the literary system structure. The hypothesis contains definitions of institution, market, manufacturer, consumer, repertoire and product. Also, this work discusses the hypothesis that determines the laws of literary interference. In order to apply the Polysystem Studies to the Brazilian scenario, a short case study over the Internet role in the Brazilian contemporary literary system was produced. The case study starts with an analysis over the hypertext concept under the light of Pierre Lévy, Alckmar Luiz dos Santos and Ingedore Koch. Then the definition for blog is discussed in relation to the hypertext notion. Finally, the Polysystem Theory is applied to the writing A saga do Primeiro Beijo, published in a blog by Alessandra Félix, also comparing it to feuilleton under the formal aspect. By this means, it is possible to see the set of contributions made by Even-Zohar's study as a whole, as well as the application of its main assumptions.

Este estudo objetiva apresentar e discutir os principais conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema, de Itamar Even-Zohar, a aplicação de seus conceitos à realidade brasileira e as suas contribuições aos estudos literários e à Literatura Comparada. São apresentados os conceitos de sistema e de polissistema, uma hipótese para a estruturação do sistema literário, pela qual são apresentados os conceitos de instituição, mercado, produtor, consumidor, repertório e produto, e hipóteses para a definição de leis de interferência literária. Para a aplicação dos conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema à realidade brasileira, este trabalho realiza um breve estudo de caso sobre o papel da Internet no sistema literário brasileiro contemporâneo. Em primeiro lugar, é discutido o conceito de hipertexto sob a ótica dos trabalhos de Pierre Lévy, Alckmar Luiz dos Santos e Ingedore Koch. Em segundo lugar, é discutido o conceito de blog e sua relação com o de hipertexto. Em terceiro lugar, o texto publicado em blog A Saga do Primeiro Beijo, de Alessandra Félix, é utilizado para a aplicação dos conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema e comparado, do ponto de vista formal, ao folhetim. Dessa forma, visualiza-se o conjunto de contribuições dos trabalhos de Even-Zohar e procura-se comprovar suas principais hipóteses. / Based on Even-Zohar's Polysystem Theory, this work not only presents and discusses its main concepts, but also applies it to the Brazilian scenario, in addition to its contributions to literary studies and comparative literature. After presenting definitions for systems and polysystems, it exposes the hypothesis for the literary system structure. The hypothesis contains definitions of institution, market, manufacturer, consumer, repertoire and product. Also, this work discusses the hypothesis that determines the laws of literary interference. In order to apply the Polysystem Studies to the Brazilian scenario, a short case study over the Internet role in the Brazilian contemporary literary system was produced. The case study starts with an analysis over the hypertext concept under the light of Pierre Lévy, Alckmar Luiz dos Santos and Ingedore Koch. Then the definition for blog is discussed in relation to the hypertext notion. Finally, the Polysystem Theory is applied to the writing A saga do Primeiro Beijo, published in a blog by Alessandra Félix, also comparing it to feuilleton under the formal aspect. By this means, it is possible to see the set of contributions made by Even-Zohar's study as a whole, as well as the application of its main assumptions.

Este estudo objetiva apresentar e discutir os principais conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema, de Itamar Even-Zohar, a aplicação de seus conceitos à realidade brasileira e as suas contribuições aos estudos literários e à Literatura Comparada. São apresentados os conceitos de sistema e de polissistema, uma hipótese para a estruturação do sistema literário, pela qual são apresentados os conceitos de instituição, mercado, produtor, consumidor, repertório e produto, e hipóteses para a definição de leis de interferência literária. Para a aplicação dos conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema à realidade brasileira, este trabalho realiza um breve estudo de caso sobre o papel da Internet no sistema literário brasileiro contemporâneo. Em primeiro lugar, é discutido o conceito de hipertexto sob a ótica dos trabalhos de Pierre Lévy, Alckmar Luiz dos Santos e Ingedore Koch. Em segundo lugar, é discutido o conceito de blog e sua relação com o de hipertexto. Em terceiro lugar, o texto publicado em blog A Saga do Primeiro Beijo, de Alessandra Félix, é utilizado para a aplicação dos conceitos da Teoria do Polissistema e comparado, do ponto de vista formal, ao folhetim. Dessa forma, visualiza-se o conjunto de contribuições dos trabalhos de Even-Zohar e procura-se comprovar suas principais hipóteses. / Based on Even-Zohar's Polysystem Theory, this work not only presents and discusses its main concepts, but also applies it to the Brazilian scenario, in addition to its contributions to literary studies and comparative literature. After presenting definitions for systems and polysystems, it exposes the hypothesis for the literary system structure. The hypothesis contains definitions of institution, market, manufacturer, consumer, repertoire and product. Also, this work discusses the hypothesis that determines the laws of literary interference. In order to apply the Polysystem Studies to the Brazilian scenario, a short case study over the Internet role in the Brazilian contemporary literary system was produced. The case study starts with an analysis over the hypertext concept under the light of Pierre Lévy, Alckmar Luiz dos Santos and Ingedore Koch. Then the definition for blog is discussed in relation to the hypertext notion. Finally, the Polysystem Theory is applied to the writing A saga do Primeiro Beijo, published in a blog by Alessandra Félix, also comparing it to feuilleton under the formal aspect. By this means, it is possible to see the set of contributions made by Even-Zohar's study as a whole, as well as the application of its main assumptions.

This study reviews Lilith in Jewish mythology, specifically how she relates to the other main operators in the myths, which are God, Samael, Adam and Eve. Her connections with the animal who often symbolizes her, the serpent, has also been reviewed. Furthermore, the study examines what her relationship with the other operators says about her function in the myths. Using a hermeneutical method, the study examines extracts from rabbinic literature, the Alphabet of Ben Sira and Kabbalistic writings.The results show that Lilith’s symbolism and characteristics have drawn inspiration from Eve in the earlier writings, and that both women are portrayed in close relation with the serpent. In the Kabbalist tradition Lilith is a driving force in a narrative that strives for messianic victory, and together with her partner Samael she rules over evil. One of Lilith’s main functions is that of an antagonist, and an antipole, to the divinity and the primal couple, and essentially to goodness.

Netiv haprišut. Sexualita a askeze v judaismu Kamila Špinarová Abstract Diploma thesis "Netiv haprishut. Sexuality and Asceticism in Judaism" deals with the "Path of Restraint" written by rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the MaHaRaL of Prague. The Path of Restraint is sixteenth chapter of Maharal's philosophical and ethical tractate "Netivot olam". The treatise brings in Maharal's recommendations regarding human acts in intimate sphere of life. The submitted work deals with selected texts from the Path of Restraint, especially with the prohibition of men's autoeroticism. The thesis provides coherent view on Maharal's writings and on the meaning of the term "prishut" within the framework of Maharal's writings. The author of this thesis believes, that the term "prishut" has an essential meaning for Maharal's universe. The true "restraint" has the power to emancipate the man from the destructive influence of the matter and to unify the sphere of the matter with the sphere of divinity. The author then focuses on the passage from the Sefer Zohar (1:18a). Maharal cites the passage three times in his entire work - in the Path of Restraint, in Hiddushei Aggadot and in Be'er ha-Golah. The aforementioned text of the Zohar describes the emanation of the divine creative potency through sefiroth. Latter on Maharal...

This thesis deals with the intellectual heritage of Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague and with his affiliation to the Kabbalah. The Kabbalah sprang up amongst Jewish scholars of 12th century Spain and reached its apex in the composition of the Zohar. This study shows the ways the Maharal used the Zohar and to what end. First chapter deals with the life and writings of the Maharal. The second summarises previous attempts to describe the Maharal's affinity for Jewish mysticism. The third chapter describes how the Zohar was written. It includes a textological comparison, which aims to find which edition or group of manuscripts of the Zohar the Maharal used. It also makes note of the special form of zoharic Aramaic that is present in the Maharal's writings. The fourth chapter raises the question of halakhic authority of the Zohar in the 15th and 16th centuries. Three main chapters of this thesis provide analysis and commentary of chosen zoharic texts (Zohar III,152a, Zohar III,40a, Zohar I,18a a Zohar I,33b) quoted by the Maharal in his writings and with their theological reflection. Zohar III,152a speaks about different layers of meaning implied in the text of the Torah. This chapter deals with the basic development of Jewish hermeneutics and attempts to find Maharal's place in it....