R. Joseph della Reina and his damnation in the fiction of I. B. Singer

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" R. Joseph della Reina and his damnation in the fiction of I. B. Singer "
K. S. Johnson E. Orenstein

Document Type	:	Latin Dissertation
Language of Document	:	English
Record Number	:	72777
Doc. No	:	TL31706
Call number	:	‭MQ70293‬
Main Entry	:	K. S. Johnson
Title & Author	:	R. Joseph della Reina and his damnation in the fiction of I. B. Singer\ K. S. JohnsonE. Orenstein
College	:	McGill University (Canada)
Date	:	2001
Degree	:	M.A.
student score	:	2001
Page No	:	71
Abstract	:	The following thesis focuses on the medieval kabbalistic legend of R. Joseph della Reina who, using traditions of esoteric magic, conjured Satan in order to slaughter him in an unsuccessful bid to force the Redemption of Israel. A translation of a version from eighteenth century Amsterdam is presented. Influenced by the heretical ideas of Sabbatianism, this version carries two opposing significations: that of a cautionary tale on one hand, that of a tragic tale of mystical heroism on the other. Based on evidence from the fiction of Isaac Bashevis Singer, the case is made that the modern author, in line with his philosophy of political passivism and historical pessimism, makes full use of the Faustian fascination of R. Joseph della Reina's fearsome story while repeatedly presenting the legend in such a way as to purge it of traditional ambiguity, undermine its tragic character, and leave behind only the aspect of caution or warning.
Subject	:	Language, literature and linguistics; Language; American literature; 0291:Language; 0591:American literature
Added Entry	:	E. Orenstein
Added Entry	:	McGill University (Canada)