Cecilia Cintra CAVALEIRO DE MACEDO

Original title: A imagem do trono em Ibn Gabirol e a mística da Merkabah

Published in Mystic and Millenarianism in Middle Ages

Keywords: Angels - Shekinah, Ibn Gabirol - Throne of Glory, Merkabah.

The subject of the Throne is common to the three abrahamic monotheistic religions and it is an important presence in medieval thought. Specifically in Judaism it has a prominent place, since the first great trend in Jewish mysticism is characterized by the contemplation of the Merkabah (Charriot/Throne) images described from the vision of Prophet Ezekiel. At the same time, many medieval Jewish philosophers also mention the subject. Although the philosophical work of Ibn Gabirol is characterized by the absence of religious references, there is one single passage in the Fons vitae that seems to refer to the Throne. In this article we will try to improve the interpretation of this passage from the Fons vitae by verifying the presence of the Merkabah mystical images in Ibn Gabirol poetry in the light of the indications from the mystical literature and the Jewish imaginary.