Patrick Benjamin Koch

Prof. Dr. Patrick Benjamin Koch holds the Heisenberg Professorship for Jewish Studies at the University of Hamburg’s Institute of Jewish Studies. His academic career includes leadership roles such as heading the Emmy Noether Research Group on Jewish Moralistic Literature (Musar) of the Early Modern Period (2017–2023) and the DFG-funded project analyzing Isaac Luria’s hagiographies. He completed his Habilitation in Judaistik at Hamburg (2022) and earned his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2012).

Educations:

• 2007–2012: PhD in Jewish Thought, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• 2004–2007: M.A. in Jewish Civilization, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• 2001–2003: Studies in Judaic Studies and Religious Studies, Free University Berlin

Research Interests: Koch’s work focuses on Jewish moral literature (Musar), Kabbalistic thought, early modern Jewish ethics, and the history of Hebrew printing. He explores mystical traditions in Abrahamic faiths and the intersection of spirituality with textual practices. His recent projects examine visual metaphysics in Kabbalistic manuscripts and the role of seclusion in Jewish contemplative traditions.

Labs/Teams: He leads research initiatives including the Emmy Noether group and the DFG-funded Heisenberg project on Lurianic hagiographies, fostering collaborative studies in Jewish intellectual history and manuscript analysis.