Panel: KABBALAH IN MOTION: THE MAIN INTERSECTIONS OF JEWISH MYSTICISM FROM MEDIEVAL TO MODERN AGE



109.5 - GIORDANO BRUNO AND THE KABBALAH: THREADS OF THOUGHT BETWEEN OCCULTISM, PHILOSOPHY, AND EROS

AUTHORS:
Del Prete D. (La Sapienza - Università di Roma ~ Rome ~ Italy)
Text:
Giordano Bruno, a philosopher, theologian, and cosmologist of the Renaissance, drew from a wide array of traditions, including Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition that deeply influenced Western philosophy. This presentation explores the connection between Bruno and Kabbalah, focusing on his interpretation of Kabbalistic doctrines and their integration into his theories on the infinity of the universe, divinity, and the nature of reality. Special attention is given to Bruno's concept of eros, understood as a cosmic and metaphysical force that binds and transforms the universe, and its relationship with Kabbalistic notions of divine love and union. A comparative analysis will shed light on parallels and contrasts between Bruno's ideas on eros and those of Jewish thinkers like Leone Ebreo, whose Dialoghi d'amore also explore the intersections of love, philosophy, and mysticism. By examining how Bruno reworked Kabbalistic ideas and notions of eros into his philosophical synthesis, this study highlights the ways in which mystical, symbolic language served as a tool for exploring infinity, divinity, and the soul. Furthermore, the dialogue between Bruno's thought and the works of Jewish intellectuals offers a rich lens through which to reconsider Renaissance humanism and esotericism. Ultimately, this analysis provides an innovative perspective on Bruno's intellectual legacy, emphasizing his engagement with both Kabbalah and the broader tradition of mystical eros as central to his vision of the cosmos and human experience.