The Christian Reception of the Zohar from Late Renaissance to mid-19th Century

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Giulio Busi
• Subject Area: Religious Studies and Jewish Studies
• Term: from 2012 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 221464057

The Sefer ha-Zohar, the Book of the Splendor (c. 1275-1295) is the only kabbalistic book that enjoyed a quasi-canonical status. Besides Bible and Talmud it became one of the crucial elements of Jewish devotion.The first editions of the book (1558-60) have deeply influenced the Jewish world and have arisen a strong echo in Christian culture as well. Many Christian scholars considered the Zohar a treasure of wisdom that could be used to interpret Christian texts and also as a tool for converting the Jews.Notwithstanding the remarkable significance of the Zohar for Modern culture, no general outline of its reception among Christians was available so far. In the first part of our research we have provided a survey of the Zoharic-reception during the mid-17th century in France (specifically in the pivotal work of Jean Morin) and Italy (specifically in the work of the Roman Preacher Giuseppe Maria Ciantes). The present, second part of our project, if approved, will complete the first ever analysis of the impact of the Zohar on Christian culture, from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Our analysis will take into account both philological and content-related aspects, and is aimed at filling a considerable gap in the assessment of the idea of tradition in Modern thought.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants