Ages Upon Ages: Multiple Worlds and Historical Epochs in Medieval Kabbalah
Hartley Lachter

Is there just one universe, or many? Does time have a single beginning and a single end, or are there many cycles of time? Medieval Jewish kabbalists held surprisingly complex views regarding the cyclical nature of time, the multiplicity of worlds, and how that can help explain the misfortunes of Jewish history. In this talk we will explore how their embrace of the idea of multiple worlds and historical cycles was used to explain Jewish historical experiences and provide hope for a better future.

Sponsor: Community Scholar Program (CSP)