CONTENTS

 

Abbreviations xxvii

Transliteration Key xxxi

Preface xxxiii

Foreword by Elliot Ginsburg xxxv

Introduction xliii

I. The Mythical Strata of Judaism xliii

II. The Categories of Jewish Mythology xlv

III. Mythic Parallels lxiii

IV. Myth and Ritual in Judaism lxviii

V. The Light of the First Day lxxi

VI. The Continuing Evolution of Jewish Mythology lxxiv

 

Book One Myths of God 1

 

God’s Throne of Glory

1. Isaiah’s Vision 3

2. Daniel’s Night Vision 3

3. God’s Throne of Glory 4

4. The Descent of God’s Throne 5

5. The Crown of God 5

6. God’s Crown of Prayers 6

 

Sefirotic Myths

7. The Thirty-two Paths of Wisdom 6

8. The Ten Sefirot 7

9. The Twenty-two Letters 8

10. The Infinite Being 9

11. The Seven Forms of God 9

12. The Ten Crowns of God 9

 

God’s Existence

13. The First Being 10

14. The Cause of All Causes 10

15. God’s Omnipresence 11

16. God Alone 11

17. God’s Existence 11

18. God’s Gaze 12

19. God’s Day 12

 

God’s Mystery

20. The Hidden God 13

21. The Contraction of God 13

22. Adam Kadmon 15

23. God’s Disguises 16

24. Where God Dwells 17

25. The Holy Spirit 18

 

God’s Attributes

26. The Breath of God 20

27. The Mind of God 20

28. The Eyes of God 21

29. The Face of God 21

30. The Size of God 22

31. The Three Keys 22

32. The Arms of God 23

33. God’s Hands 23

34. The Body of God 24

35. God’s Back 25

 

The Names of God

36. The God of the Fathers 25

37. The Tetragrammaton 27

38. The Lord of Hosts 27

39. God’s Robe of Glory 29

 

The Warrior God

40. The Warrior God 29

41. God’s Sword 30

 

God’s Voice and Word

42. A Still, Small Voice 30

43. God’s Voice 31

44. God’s Image 33

45. The Elders of Israel Behold God 33

 

God Studies the Torah

46. God Studies the Torah 34

47. God Puts on Tallit and Tefillin 34

48. God’s Tabernacle 35

49. God’s Prayer 35

50. God Expounds the Torah 36

 

The Suffering God

51. The Suffering God 36

52. God’s Tears 37

53. God Weeps over the Destruction of the Temple 38

54. God’s Lament at the Western Wall 39

55. God’s Oath 39

56. God Considers Ending All Existence 40

 

God Walks in the World

57. God Walks in the Garden 40

58. God’s Lantern

59. God Descends to Mount Sinai 41

60. The Tent of Meeting 42

61. The Cottage of Candles 43

 

Early Incarnations of the Shekhinah

62. The Creation of Wisdom 45

63. Mother Zion 46

 

Myths of the Bride of God

64. The Creation of the Shekhinah 47

65. God’s Names for the Shekhinah 48

66. The Two Shekhinahs 49

67. The Earthly Dwelling of the Shekhinah 50

68. The Roaming of the Shekhinah 52

69. The Garments of the Shekhinah 54

70. The Sacred Bedchamber 54

71. The Casting Down of the Shekhinah 55

72. The Wandering of the Shekhinah 55

73. The Lament of the Shekhinah 56

74. The Wailing of the Shekhinah 56

75. The Exile of the Shekhinah 57

76. Mourning over the Shekhinah 58

77. The Suffering of the Shekhinah 58

78. Lilith Becomes God’s Bride 59

79. Israel and the Shekhinah in Exile 60

80. God’s Exile with Israel 61

81. The Face of the Shekhinah 61

82. The Shekhinah Within 63

 

Visions of the Bride of God

83. The Shekhinah at the Wall 63

84. A Vision at the Wailing Wall 63

 

God Defers to the Earthly Court

85. God Makes Matches 66

86. The Rabbis Overrule God 67

87. God Defers to the Earthly Court 68

 

Book Two Myths of Creation 69

 

Before the World Was Created

88. The First to Exist 71

89. Before the World Was Created 71

90. Prior Worlds 71

91. The Primordial Elements 73

92. God Created Everything with Its Knowledge 73

93. The Beginning of Time 74

94. Seven Things Created before the Creation of the World 74

 

The Creation of the World

95. The Seven Days of Creation 75

96. Ten Things Created on the Eve of the First Sabbath 77

97. Five Heavenly Things Sleeping in the Universe 77

98. God the Creator 78

99. The Rainbow 78

100. The Time of Creation 79

101. Everything Was Created at Once 80

102. How God Begot Being 80

103. What Does the Earth Stand On? 80

104. Creation Ex Nihilo 81

105. The Order of Creation 81

 

The Primordial Light

106. God’s Garment of Light 82

107. The Light of the First Day 83

108. The First Cloak 85

109. The Tzohar 85

110. How Light and Darkness Were Created 88

111. Creation by Light 89

112. The Light of Prophecy 89

 

The Work of Creation

113. God’s Shout 90

114. The Work of Creation 90

115. How the Heavens Were Created 91

116. The Earth’s Foundations 91

117. Creation by God’s Name 91

118. Creation by God’s Beauty 92

119. The Palace of Heaven 92

120. Creation According to Philo 93

 

The Cosmic Seed

121. The Cosmic Seed 93

122. A Universe of Water 94

123. The Three Craftsmen 95

124. The Pillars of the World 96

125. The Foundation Stone 96

126. Creation by Thought 98

127. A Single Utterance 99

128. The Divided World 99

 

Myths of Origin

129. The Origin of Chaos 100

130. The First Sunset 101

131. The Origin of Fire 101

132. What Causes Earthquakes? 102

133. The Roots of Everything 102

 

Myths of the Sacred Waters

134. The Great Sea 103

135. The Fiery Waves 104

136. The Upper Waters and the Lower Waters 104

137. The Spirit of the Firmament 105

 

Rebellions against God

138. The Rebellion of the Waters 105

139. The Rebellion of Rahab 106

140. The Prince of Darkness 107

141. The Fall of Lucifer 108

142. Satan Cast from Heaven 109

143. Satan’s Bargain with God 110

 

Myths of the Sun and Moon

144. The Quarrel of the Sun and the Moon 112

145. The Sun Stood Still 113

146. A Garment for the Moon 114

 

Creation by Angels

147. The Creation of Angels 115

148. Creation by Angels 116

149. Anafiel, The Creator of the Beginning 117

150. The Creator of the World 118

151. The First Created Being 118

152. The Angel Who Created the World 119

 

The Wheel of Creation

153. The Wheel of Creation 121

154. The Cosmic Tree 121

155. The Shattering of the Vessels and the Gathering of the Sparks 122

156. Creation by Broken Vessels 124

 

The Creation of Man

157. The Heavenly Man 124

158. Adam the Angel 126

159. Adam the Golem 127

160. Adam the Giant 128

161. Adam the Last and First 129

162. Adam’s Body of Light 130

163. The Enthronement of Adam 131

164. Adam’s Body Formed by an Angel 131

165. God Consults the Angels about the Creation of Adam 132

166. The Creation of Man 133

167. Creation from a Mold 134

168. Wisdom Created Man

169. Adam’s Choice

170. Adam’s Breath 135

171. The First Twelve Hours of Adam’s Life 136

172. Adam Brings Down Fire from Heaven 137

173. Adam the Hermaphrodite 138

174. Samael and Lilith 139

175. God and the Spirits of the Unborn 140

 

Adam and Eve

176. Adam and the Spirits 140

177. The First Eve 140

178. What Happened to the First Eve? 141

179. The Creation of Woman 142

180. The First Wedding 143

 

Mythological Creatures

181. Adne Sadeh 144

182. The Sea Monster Leviathan 145

183. Behemoth 146

184. The Ziz 147

185. The Re’em 148

186. The Phoenix 148

187. The Lion of the Forest Ilai 149

188. The Ram Sacrificed at Mount Moriah 150

 

The Unfinished Creation

189. God the Potter 150

190. The Unfinished Creation 151

 

Book Three Myths of Heaven 153

 

The Translation of Enoch

191. Enoch Walked with God 155

192. Enoch’s Vision of God 155

193. The Metamorphosis and Enthronement of Enoch 156

 

The Treasury of Souls

194. The River of Fire 158

195. The Living Creatures 159

196. The Council of Souls 160

197. Adam’s Soul 162

198. The Creation of Souls 163

199. Tree of Souls 164

200. The Treasury of Souls 166

201. The Path of the Soul in the Garden of Eden 168

202. The Field of Souls 168

203. The Transmigration of Souls 169

204. How to Grasp a Soul 170

 

Heavenly Journeys

205. Adam Is Taken into Paradise 170

206. Isaac’s Ascent 171

207. The Ascent of Elijah 172

208. The Four Who Entered Paradise 173

209. A Vision of Metatron 174

210. Rabbi Ishmael’s Ascent 176

211. The Entrance of the Sixth Heavenly Palace 178

212. Before the Law 179

213. A Journey to the Stars 181

214. A Jewish Icarus 181

 

The Divine Chariot

215. Ezekiel’s Vision 182

216. Mysteries of the Chariot 183

 

The Seven Heavens

217. The Seven Heavens 184

218. The Eighth Heaven 185

219. The Pargod 186

220. The Map of Time and Space 186

221. The Place of the Stars 187

222. The Rainbow of the Shekhinah 187

223. The Music of the Spheres 188

224. The Treasury of Merits 189

225. The Wings of Heaven 189

 

The Palaces of Heaven

226. The Palaces of Heaven 190

227. Women in Paradise 190

 

The Landmarks of Heaven

228. The Tent of the Sun 191

229. The Tent of Heaven 192

230. The Crystal Palace 192

231. The Celestial Academy 193

232. Where Heaven and Earth Meet 194

 

The Ministering Angels

233. The Primordial Metatron 195

234. The Angel Metatron 195

235. The Angel Sandalphon 197

236. Michael, the Patron Angel 197

237. Elijah the Angel 197

238. The Keeper of the Book of Records 198

239. The Angel Gallizur 199

240. The Angel of Conception 199

241. The Angel of the Covenant 201

242. How Rabbi Ishmael Was Conceived 201

243. The Angel of Friendship 201

244. Guardian Angels 202

245. The Might of the Angels 203

246. The Angel of Losses 203

247. The Angel Tzadkiel 204

248. The Angel of Rain 205

249. God Changes the Roles of the Angels 205

 

The Angel of Death

250. The Creation of the Angel of Death 206

251. Rabbi Joshua ben Levi and the Angel of Death 206

252. Rabbi Loew and the Angel of Death 207

 

The Gates of Heaven

253. The Heavenly Court 208

254. The Windows of Heaven 209

255. The Ba’al Shem Tov Ascends on High 209

 

Book Four Myths of Hell 211

 

The Unfinished Corner of Creation

256. The Unfinished Corner of Creation 213

257. The Darkness that Existed before Creation 213

258. The Banishment of Dumah 214

259. God’s Prison 214

260. Adam and the Demons 215

 

Lilith Rises from the Deep

261. Adam and Lilith 216

262. Lilith Rises from the Deep 217

263. A Spell to Banish Lilith 218

264. The Woman in the Forest 219

265. The Cellar 220

266. Lilith, the Queen of Zemargad 221

267. The Two Liliths 222

268. Lilith’s Children 222

269. The Night Demoness 223

270. Lilith the Witch 224

271. Lilith and Elijah 224

272. Lilith Flees from the Apparition of Eve 225

 

Vampires, Spirits, Dybbuks, and Demons

273. The Spirits of the Sixth Day 227

274. The Vampire Demon 227

275. An Evil Demoness 228

276. The Window of Safed 228

277. Demonic Doubles 230

278. The Underworld 231

279. When a Man Dies 231

 

The History of Gehenna

280. The Creation of Gehenna 232

281. The Prince of Gehenna 232

282. The History of Gehenna 232

283. The Openings of Gehenna 233

284. The Landscape of Gehenna 233

285. The Scorpions of Gehenna 234

286. The Bridge over Gehenna 234

287. The Darkness of Gehenna 234

288. The Light of Gehenna 235

289. The Punishment of Korah 235

290. The Inhabitants of Gehenna 236

291. The Fate of the Soul 236

292. The Punishments of Gehenna 236

293. The Fate of Slanderers 237

294. Sabbath in Gehenna 238

295. Gehenna Seething 238

296. The Size of Gehenna 239

297. The Gates of Gehenna 239

298. The Door to Gehenna 240

299. The Gatekeeper of Gehenna 240

300. The Messiah in Hell 241

301. The Sabbath Resurrection 242

302. The Ashes of Sinners 242

303. Purified Souls 242

304. How the Dead See the Dead 243

 

Book Five Myths of the Holy Word 245

 

The Letters of the Alphabet

305. Creation by Word 247

306. Two Worlds 247

307. The Primordial Language 248

308. The Creation of the Torah 248

309. Creation by the Torah 249

310. The Letters of the Alphabet 250

311. Creation by Letters 251

312. The Shining Letters 252

 

The Primordial Torah

313. The Torah Written on the Arm of God 252

314. God’s Original Plan 252

315. The Book of Raziel 253

316. Creating New Heavens and a New Earth 255

317. God’s Warning 255

318. The Light of the Torah 256

319. The Betrothal of the Torah 256

320. The Vestment of the Shekhinah 257

321. The Letters and the Burning Bush 257

 

God Offers the Torah to Israel

322. The Angels and the Giving of the Torah 258

323. The Quarrel of the Mountains 258

324. The Necklace of Letters 259

325. Death and Rebirth at Mount Sinai 259

326. The Seven Voices of the Torah 260

327. The Ascent of Moses 261

328. Mount Sinai Is Lifted to Heaven 263

329. How God Revealed Himself at Mount Sinai 263

330. God Offers the Torah to Israel 264

331. God Tears Apart Seven Firmaments 265

332. The Primordial Torah 265

333. The First Tablets 266

334. The Second Tablets 268

335. The First Torah 268

336. How the Ten Commandments Were Given 269

337. The Order of the Torah 269

 

The Giving of the Torah

338. God Abrogates the First Decree 270

339. The Giving of the Torah 270

340. Moses Before the Throne of Glory 270

341. God Teaches Torah in the World to Come 271

342. Moses Questions God 272

343. The Ark of the Covenant 272

 

The Changing Torah

344. The Changing Torah 272

345. The Flying Letters 273

346. God’s Signature 274

347. The Crowns of Israel 274

 

Studying the Torah

348. The Prince of the Torah 275

349. Studying the Torah 276

350. The Boy who Read the Book of Ezekiel 276

351. The Two Torahs 277

352. The Giving of the Song of Songs 277

 

Myths of Prayers

353. The Origin of the Shema 278

354. The Holy Breath 279

 

The Golem

355. Rava Creates a Man

356. Jeremiah Creates a Golem 279

357. The Golem of Ibn Gabirol 279

358. The Golem of Rabbi Elijah 280

359. The Golem of Prague 281

360. The End of the Golem 282

361. The Golem in the Attic 283

362. The Homunculus of Maimonides 284

 

Book Six Myths of the Holy Time 287

 

Myths of the Days of Awe

363. God Passes Judgment 289

364. The Book of Life and the Book of Death 289

365. The Origin of Rosh ha-Shanah 291

366. The String of God 292

367. The Month of Tishrei 292

368. Re-creating the World 292

369. Renewing Existence 293

370. The Day of Judgment 293

371. The High Priest Enters the Holy of Holies 293

372. The Days of Awe 294

373. Light Is Sown for the Righteous 294

374. Gathering Souls 295

375. A Scapegoat for Azazel 295

376. Sounding the Shofar 296

377. The Closing of the Gates 297

378. The Final Blast 298

 

Myths of Sukkot

379. The Water Libation 298

380. The Seven Shepherds 299

381. Dwelling in Exile 300

382. The Feast of Sukkot in the World to Come 300

 

Myths of Simhat Torah

383. The Body of Moses 301

384. The Flying Shoe 302

 

Myths of Passover

385. God Revels in the Reading of the Haggadah 303

 

Myths of Lag ba-Omer

386. The Dancing of the Ari 303

 

Myths of Shavuot

387. The Wedding of God and the Shekhinah 304

388. The Wedding of God and Israel 305

389. The Parting of the Heavens at Midnight 306

 

Myths of the Sabbath

390. The Creation of the Sabbath 306

391. The Cosmic Sabbath 307

392. The Blessings of the Sabbath 308

393. The Adornment of the Sabbath 308

394. The Princess of the Sabbath 308

395. The Sabbath Bride 309

396. Greeting the Sabbath Queen 310

397. The Second Soul 310

398. The Souls of the Dead on the Sabbath 311

399. The Soul in the Garden of Eden 312

400. God’s Daughter 312

401. God Guides Moses in Prayer 313

402. The First Sabbath 314

403. God Keeps the Sabbath 314

404. Keeping the Sabbath 314

405. The Sabbath Angels 315

406. The Sabbath Feast in the Celestial Eden 316

407. The Spice of the Sabbath 316

408. The Song of the Sabbath 317

409. Adam’s Song of Praise for the Sabbath 318

410. Why Women Light Two Candles on the Sabbath 319

411. The First Havdalah 319

412. The Sabbath in the World to Come 319

413. The Great Sabbath 320

 

Myths of the Ninth of Av

414. A Day of Fasting and Mourning 321

415. The Mourning Dove 321

416. The Wailing Wall 322

417. The Weeping Well 322

418. The Ninth of Av in the Future 323

 

Myths of Rosh Hodesh

419. Repenting for God 323

 

Book Seven Myths of the Holy People 325

 

Myths of Israel

420. For the Sake of Israel 327

421. The Souls of Israel 327

422. The Body of Israel 328

 

Myths of Abraham

423. The Lesson of the Stars 328

424. God Calls upon Abram 329

425. God’s Covenant with Abram 329

426. God Appears to Abraham 330

427. Abraham’s Vision of God 331

428. Abraham’s Glowing Stone 332

429. Abraham in Egypt 332

430. Abraham’s Name 333

431. Iscah the Seer 334

432. Abraham Bargains with God 334

 

Myths of Isaac

433. The Souls of Converts 335

434. God Begat Isaac 336

435. The Binding of Isaac 337

436. How Abraham Recognized Mount Moriah 338

437. The Sacrifice 339

438. Satan at Mount Moriah 340

439. Isaac Sees the Shekhinah 341

440. God Binds the Princes of the Heathens 341

441. The Angel Who Saved Isaac 341

442. Isaac’s Vision at Mount Moriah 342

443. Sarah’s Tent 342

444. The Death of Sarah 343

445. The Cave of Machpelah 343

446. Abraham’s Daughter 344

447. The Descent of the Light-Man 345

448. Abraham and the Angel of Death 346

449. Abraham’s Dying Vision 347

450. Abraham Never Died 348

451. The Births of Jacob and Esau 349

452. Isaac Returns to Mount Moriah 349

 

Myths of Jacob

453. The Bartered Birthright 350

454. Red Lentils 350

455. Isaac’s Eyes Grow Dim 351

456. The Stolen Blessing 351

457. Jacob the Blessed 353

458. Rachel and the Stolen Idols 354

459. Jacob’s Dream 355

460. Meeting the Place 356

461. Jacob’s Vision 357

462. Jacob’s Heavenly Vision 357

463. The Gateway to Heaven 358

464. Jacob Wrestles with the Angel 359

465. Jacob and Esau’s Guardian Angel 360

466. The Magic Flock 360

467. Jacob’s Ascent on High 361

468. Jacob’s Pillow 362

469. Jacob’s Books 363

470. Jacob the Angel 364

471. Jacob the Divine 366

472. The Image of Jacob Cast Down from Heaven 368

473. The Death of Jacob 369

474. Jacob Never Died 370

475. Summoning the Patriarchs 371

 

Myths of Moses

476. The Birth of Moses

477. An Ark in the Bulrushes 373

478. Pharaoh and the Child Moses 374

479. Pharaoh’s Daughter 374

480. The Burning Bush 375

481. Moses Swallowed by a Serpent 376

482. Serah bat Asher 377

483. The Secret of the Redeemer 378

484. The Coffin of Joseph 379

485. A Vision at the Red Sea 380

486. The Walls of the Red Sea 381

487. The Death of Serah bat Asher 381

488. God’s Footstool 382

489. The Parting of the Red Sea 382

490. The Waters of the Red Sea Refuse to Part 383

491. Crossing the Red Sea 384

492. Mount Moriah and the Red Sea 384

493. God’s Presence at the Red Sea 385

494. Pharaoh’s Army Lured to Its Death 385

495. The Quarrel of the Sea and the Earth 386

496. Miriam’s Well 387

497. How Moses Survived 388

498. The Enthronement of Moses 388

499. Moses Transformed into Fire 389

500. The Divine Radiance 389

501. The Light that Shone from Moses’ Face 390

502. The Souls of the Patriarchs 391

503. The Pillar of Cloud 391

504. The Seven Clouds of Glory 392

505. Moses’ Last Request 393

506. Joshua as Oedipus

507. Moses Never Died 394

 

Myths of King David

508. King David Is Crowned in Heaven 395

509. King David’s Harp 396

510. The Angel of the Lord 396

511. The Mountain of Fire 397

 

Myths of the Tzaddikim

512. The Thirty-Six Just Men 397

 

Book Eight Myths of the Holy Land 399

 

The Garden of Eden

513. The Garden of Eden 401

514. The Creation of the Garden of Eden 401

515. The Hidden Garden 402

516. The Fruit of the Tree of Life 402

517. The Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life 403

518. The Ever-turning Sword of Flame 404

519. Abraham’s Tree 404

520. The Cave of the Four Winds 405

521. The Gates of Eden 406

 

The Promised Land

522. The Land of Israel 406

523. The Seventy Nations and the Land of Israel 408

524. How the Holy Land Became Holy 409

525. The Cave of Shimon bar Yohai 410

 

The Heavenly Jerusalem

526. Light from the Temple 411

527. God Builds the Heavenly Temple 412

528. The Heavenly Jerusalem and the Earthly Jerusalem 414

529. How Mount Moriah Was Created 414

530. The Altar of Abraham 415

531. God Prays for the Building of the Temple 416

532. The Celestial Temple 416

533. The True Temple of God 417

534. The Descent of the Heavenly Jerusalem 418

535. The Elevation of Jerusalem 419

536. The Center of the World 419

537. The Patriarchs Seek to Comfort Jerusalem 420

 

The Earthly Jerusalem

538. The Creation of the Temple 420

539. The Temple Built Itself 421

540. The Building of the Temple 422

541. The Wedding of King Solomon and Pharaoh’s Daughter 422

542. Leopards in the Temple 423

543. The Mystery of the Cherubim 423

544. God’s Judgment Above and Below 424

545. God’s Cleansing of the Holy Land 424

 

The Destruction of the Temple

546. The Destruction of the Temple 425

547. A Stone from Mount Sinai 426

548. The Hand of God 426

549. God’s Mourning 427

550. The Patriarchs Weep over the Destruction of the Temple 427

551. Abraham in the Temple 428

552. Abraham and the Alphabet 428

553. Moses and the Sun 429

554. The Invisible Temple 429

 

Book Nine Myths of Exile 431

 

Exile from Eden

555. The Exile from Eden 433

556. Eve Tastes the Forbidden Fruit 434

557. God Divorced Adam 435

558. Adam’s Diamond 436

559. The Garments of Adam and Eve 437

560. Adam’s Descendants 438

561. God Descends into the Garden 439

562. The Land of Eretz 440

563. Adam’s Account of the Fall 440

564. What the Serpent Said to Eve 441

565. Satan and the Serpent 442

566. The Quest for the Oil of Life 442

567. The Generations of Seth 443

568. The Creation of Centaurs 444

569. The Death of Adam 444

570. Paradise 445

 

Cain and Abel

571. Cain and Abel 446

572. How Cain Was Conceived 447

573. The Seed of Cain 448

574. The Birth of Cain 449

575. The Wives of Cain and Abel 449

576. Eve’s Night Vision 450

577. The Death of Cain 451

 

The Evil Inclination

578. The Evil Inclination 453

579. How Samael Entered the Heart of Man 454

 

The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men

580. The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men 454

581. The Star Maiden 455

582. The Watchers 457

583. The Giants of Old 458

584. A Lecherous Spirit 459

585. The Lair of Azazel 459

 

The Flood

586. The Giant Og 461

587. Noah and the Raven 462

588. The Fiery Deluge 463

 

The Tower of Babel

589. The Tower of Babel 463

590. Building the Tower

 

Sodom and Gomorrah

591. The Destruction of Sodom and Gemorrah.

592. The Banished Angels 466

593. The Pillar of Salt 467

 

Myths of the Exodus

594. The Golden Calf 467

595. Strange Fire 469

596. The Spirit of Idolatry 470

597. The Fiery Serpents 471

598. The Desert Shur 471

599. The Dead of the Desert 471

 

The Ten Lost Tribes

600. The Exile of Israel 472

601. The Secret of the Egyptian Exile 473

602. The Ten Lost Tribes 473

603. The River Sambatyon 475

604. The City of Luz 476

605. An Appointment with Death 478

606. The World of Tevel 479

607. The Manna 479

 

Book Ten Myths of the Messiah 481

 

The Creation of the Messiah

608. The Creation of the Messiah 483

609. The Birth of the Messiah 484

610. The Scales of the Messiah 484

611. The Requirements of the Messiah 485

612. The Soul of the Messiah 485

613. The Descent of the Messiah’s Soul 486

 

The Heavenly Messiah

614. The Enthronement of the Messiah 487

615. The Messiah Will Descend from the Side of Evil 487

616. A War in Heaven and on Earth 488

617. The Palace of the Messiah 488

618. A Thousand Palaces of Longing 489

619. The Suffering Messiah 489

620. The Ladder of Prayers 490

621. The Messiah and the Ba’al Shem Tov 491

 

The Earthly Messiah

622. The Messiah at the Gates of Rome 492

623. The Chains of the Messiah

624. The Messiah Comes Forth from Prison 492

625. Until the Redemption 495

626. The Concealment of Elijah 496

627. Forcing the End 496

 

The Captive Messiah

628. The Captive Messiah 498

629. The Sleeping Messiah 498

 

The End of Days

630. The Pangs of the Messiah 499

631. The Rainbow of the Messiah 500

632. Calculating the End of Days 500

633. The End of Days 501

634. The End of the World 501

635. How the End of the World Will Come 502

 

The Resurrection of the Dead

636. The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones 502

637. How the Dead Will Come to Life 503

638. The Dew of Resurrection 504

639. The Resurrection of the Dead 504

640. How the Resurrection Will Take Place 506

 

The World to Come

641. The World to Come 506

642. The Great Age 507

643. Life in the World to Come 507

644. The Chorus of the Righteous 507

645. Fat Geese for the World to Come 508

646. The Messianic Banquet 508

647. The Messianic Torah 509

648. A Tabernacle for the Righteous 510

 

Messianic Jerusalem

649. The New Jerusalem 510

650. Messianic Jerusalem 511

651. The Golden Gate of the Messiah 511

652. The Descent of the Heavenly Temple 512

653. The Creation of the Third Temple 512

654. Rebuilding the Temple 513

655. The Messianic Spring 514

656. A Magical Tree in Jerusalem 514

 

The Pleading of the Fathers

657. The Pleading of the Fathers 515

658. Waking the Fathers 516

659. The Fathers Address the Messiah 516

660. The Two Messiahs 517

661. The Messiah Petitions God 517

662. The Coming of the Messiah 518

663. The Messiah’s Yeshivah 518

664. The Dual Messiah 519

 

The Ingathering of the Exiles

665. The Ingathering of the Exiles 519

666. The Birth of Armilus 520

667. Satan and the Messiah 521

 

The Wars of Gog and Magog

668. The Arrival of the Messiah 521

669. God Reprimands the Universe 522

670. A New Torah 522

 

Appendix A: Note on the Sources 525

Appendix B: The Primary Biblical Myths 527

Appendix C: Diagram of the Ten Sefirot 529

Glossary 531

Bibliography of Original Sources 537

Selected English Bibliography 549

Index of Biblical Verses 591

General Index 595