Isaac Bashevis Singer on Mysticism and Modern Man - The 92nd Street Y, New York

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92NY Humanities Audio Collection

No Specific Series - Jewish Themes

Isaac Bashevis Singer on Mysticism and Modern Man

Nov 19, 1975


Jewish-American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright Isaac Bashevis Singer speaks about the relationship of mysticism and modernism. This lecture was organized in collaboration with the American Committee for the Institute of Psychotherapy at Tel Aviv University. Singer frames his lecture around his personal perception of God, religion, and mysticism. He characterizes the idea of God as both an artist and a scientist–a figure that is “dynamic, creative” and “possessed of boundless imagination and infinite wisdom.” Singer contrasts this characterization with the naturalistic philosophy of Baruch Spinoza. The lecture is followed by questions from the audience and a reading of Singer’s story, “Shiddah and Kuziba.”

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