Gershom Scholem
Gershom Scholem was a preeminent scholar of Jewish mysticism. Born Gerhard Scholem in 1897 in Berlin, Germany, he later changed his name to Gershom after immigrating to Israel. Scholem is best known for his work on the Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, and his studies significantly advanced the understanding of Jewish mystical thought and its history. He was a prolific writer and his works have had a lasting impact on the study of Jewish mysticism.
Scholem studied mathematics, philosophy, and Hebrew at various universities including those in Jena, Munich, and Berlin, but his academic path eventually led him to focus on Jewish mysticism. His doctoral dissertation on the Kabbalistic writings of Rabbi Abraham ben Eliezer ha-Levi was completed in 1922. Scholem moved to Jerusalem in 1923, where he joined the Hebrew University as a librarian, and later became a professor of Jewish Mysticism.
Throughout his career, Scholem wrote extensively on the Kabbalah and other mystical traditions within Judaism, including major figures such as Sabbatai Ṣevi, the subject of his book 'Sabbatai Ṣevi: The Mystical Messiah, 1626–1676'. His work not only illuminated the often obscure and misunderstood aspects of Jewish mysticism but also highlighted its impact on Jewish culture and history. Scholem's contributions have left an indelible mark on the study of religion and Jewish thought, making him one of the key figures in the academic study of religion in the 20th century.