The issue of gender has been a topic of discussion in the research of Hasidism since S. A. Horodecky’s book (1923), in which he claimed that Hasidism brought about full equality of Jewish men and women in the field of spirituality. Although his claims have been by and large rejected, most
scholars agree that the twentieth century Chabad m…[Read more]

Rachel Neis’ article treats Hekhalot Rabbati, a collection of early Jewish mystical traditions, and more specifically §§ 152–169, a series of Qedusha hymns. These hymns are liturgical performances, the highlight of which is God’s passionate embrace of the Jacob icon on his throne as triggered by Israel’s utterance of the Qedusha. §§ 152–1…[Read more]