Theoretical Notes on Cinsrained Writing in Hebrew Literature in an Oupian Context

Abstract

Art, be definition, is created by the use of self-imposed constraints. Consciously writing under formal constraints - and sometimes even formulating unique constraints for a given work of art - always seems to be an experimantal creative activity and not part of mainstream art and lterature. Established in 1960, Oulipo, a group of (mainly) French authors and mathematicians, took upon itself to investigate various practices of pre-consrtained writing. As part of the group's extensive preoccupation with constraints a pivotal role in its work was given to language. The setting of language at the center, not as a mere tool but as an end in itself, is also part and parcel of traditional Jewish thought and practice. This article compares Oulipian ideas on pre-constrained writing with classical Jewish notions regarding language. It presents the close similarity between what seem to be two distant and separate fields, post-modern literary avant-garde and ancient Jewish sources, such as the Talmud, Midrash and Kabbalah.