--- product_id: 36129224 title: "The Messianic Idea in Judaism: And Other Essays on Jewish Spirituality" price: "€ 53.90" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/36129224-the-messianic-idea-in-judaism-and-other-essays-on-jewish store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # The Messianic Idea in Judaism: And Other Essays on Jewish Spirituality **Price:** € 53.90 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Messianic Idea in Judaism: And Other Essays on Jewish Spirituality - **How much does it cost?** € 53.90 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/36129224-the-messianic-idea-in-judaism-and-other-essays-on-jewish) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description An insightful collection of essays on the Kabbalah and Jewish spirituality—from the preeminent scholar of Jewish mysticism. Gershom Scholem was the master builder of historical studies of the Kabbalah. When he began to work on this neglected field, the few who studied these texts were either amateurs who were looking for occult wisdom, or old-style Kabbalists who were seeking guidance on their spiritual journeys. His work broke with the outlook of the scholars of the previous century in Judaica—die Wissenschaft des Judentums, the Science of Judaism—whose orientation he rejected, calling their “disregard for the most vital aspects of the Jewish people as a collective entity: a form of “censorship of the Jewish past.” The major founders of modern Jewish historical studies in the nineteenth century, Leopold Zunz and Abraham Geiger, had ignored the Kabbalah; it did not fit into their account of the Jewish religion as rational and worthy of respect by “enlightened” minds. The only exception was the historian Heinrich Graetz. He had paid substantial attention to its texts and to their most explosive exponent, the false Messiah Sabbatai Zevi, but Graetz had depicted the Kabbalah and all that flowed from it as an unworthy revolt from the underground of Jewish life against its reasonable, law-abiding, and learned mainstream. Scholem conducted a continuing polemic with Zunz, Geiger, and Graetz by bringing into view a Jewish past more varied, more vital, and more interesting than any idealized portrait could reveal. — from the Foreword by Arthur Hertzberg, 1995 Review: Outstanding presentation and delivery. - Outstanding presentation and delivery. Review: Fascinated - A fascinating collection of lectures. The discussion of some of the more bizarre, and yet intellectual followers of Shabtai Zvi into the 20th century is amazing. I had never understood antinomianism, but Scholem explains the thinking and rationale behind it brilliantly. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #871,450 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1,053 in Mysticism (Books) #16,034 in Theology (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 Reviews | ## Images ![The Messianic Idea in Judaism: And Other Essays on Jewish Spirituality - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91+W4bBKRyL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding presentation and delivery. *by S***. on June 15, 2025* Outstanding presentation and delivery. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fascinated *by A***S on November 13, 2008* A fascinating collection of lectures. The discussion of some of the more bizarre, and yet intellectual followers of Shabtai Zvi into the 20th century is amazing. I had never understood antinomianism, but Scholem explains the thinking and rationale behind it brilliantly. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Discourse on Messianic Judiasm *by A***K on April 3, 2005* The large majority of this book discusses the rise and fall of messianism through the medieval period and how it affects Judaism today. There are also other essays present that discuss the history of the Star of David symbolism and the mystical golems. The author presents the case of how Sabbatianism and Hasidism influenced the messianic themes that are prevalent in today's Judiasm. Some of the more interesting readings cover the notion of Sabbatianism and its transformation to a sect that believes in a messiah that pointed the way to redemption through sin as a result of its heretical leadership. Identifying some of the religious inadequacies of Sabbatianism and how they gave rise to Hasidism and the notion of a messianism that focuses on self and personal redemption, the author presents a plausible argument worthy of serious debate for years to come. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/36129224-the-messianic-idea-in-judaism-and-other-essays-on-jewish](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/36129224-the-messianic-idea-in-judaism-and-other-essays-on-jewish) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-07-17*