SIGNED WITH DEDICATION BY AUTHOR - Ithamar Gruenwald, Professor Emeritus at Tel Aviv University who also authored the `From Apocalypticism to Gnosticism` (Verlag Peter Lang, 1988) and `Rituals and Ritual Theory in Ancient Israel` (Brill, 2003). This comprehensive monograph analyzes the major features of the Merkavah tradition, beginning in Jewish and Christian apocalyptic writings, continuing into the Rabbinic literature, and culminating in the Hekhalot literature itself. Gruenwald describes the hekhalot texts one by one, including Re`uyot Yehezkel and Sefer ha-Razim, writings not generally considered part of the Hekhalot corpus. Two appendices by Saul Lieberman are included: `Metatron, the Meaning of His Name and His Functions,` and `The Knowledge of Halakha by the Author (or Authors) of the Heikhaloth.` 245x160mm. XII+251 pages. Dark blue cloth Hardcover with gilt lettering on front cover and spine. Cover and spine slightly stained. Cover corners and edges, and spine edges rubbed. Author`s signed dedication on front whitepage. [SUMMARY]: This extremely rare pioneering study of early Jewish mysticism is in good condition.