Drawing on the pathbreaking work of Gershom Scholem, Sweeney looks at the rise of rabbinic ascent mysticism, whether Merkavah (divine chariot) or Hekhalot (celestial palaces) traditions. He examines visionary experience in the ancient Near East, portions of the Torah, apocalyptic literature, the Kabbalah, Zohar, and the rise of Hasidism. 500 pages, softcover. Eerdmans.