Renowned Writer and Translator Yoel Hoffman Passes Away at 86
Yoel Hoffman, widely acclaimed writer, poet, researcher, and translator, passed away over the weekend at the age of 86. Known for his unique literary flair, Hoffman’s works captivated readers with their elements of magic and wonder. Regarded as a “writer’s writer,” Hoffman’s distinct content, form, and style set him apart from his contemporaries.
Born in 1937 in Brasov, Romania, to a German-speaking Jewish family, Hoffman immigrated to Israel with his family at just one year old. After being orphaned by his mother, he was placed in an orphanage until reuniting with his father and stepmother. Hoffman attended high school in Tel Aviv and served in the Navy.
At a young age, Hoffman ventured to Japan, spending two years in a Zen monastery and immersing himself in Japanese and Chinese literature and thought. He later obtained a master’s degree in philosophy from Tel Aviv University and completed his doctoral thesis at Kyoto University in Japan. For many years, he taught literature and philosophy at Haifa University.
Hoffman’s literary journey began in 1986 with the publication of “Katchan,” a story about a young boy navigating the world after losing his mother. His first book, “The Book of Yosef,” was published in 1988, with one of its novellas, “Katchan,” adapted into a television drama. Hoffman’s subsequent works, such as “Bernhart,” “How are you Dolores,” “The Heart is Kathmandu,” “Curiculum Vitae,” and “Moods,” further cemented his status as an extraordinary literary talent.
In addition to his own writings, Hoffman translated significant texts from Chinese and Japanese cultures. Some notable translations include “The Voices of the Earth,” a selection of excerpts from Chinese sage Chuang-tzu; “Where have the voices gone?,” Zen stories and haiku poems; “Say a song on the brink of death,” a collection of Japanese songs; and “Joshua’s Book of Zen,” which he translated in collaboration with writer Dror Burstein.
Hoffman’s writing style was characterized by his use of short, distinct chapters, with each paragraph occupying the left side of the page and featuring ample margins. This deliberate formatting emphasized the significance of the unspoken, encouraging readers to consider the unsaid alongside the spoken. Other trademarks of his writing included multiple parentheses, the frequent use of the phrase “and all” at the end of sentences, humor, and the integration of Western philosophy and Zen influences.
Friends and colleagues recall Hoffman as an enigmatic figure, fiercely guarding his privacy and refusing interviews and photographs. Despite his desire for seclusion, fellow writers, students, and admirers sought his presence, drawn to his unique perspectives and insights. Hoffman’s close friend, writer Eyal Maged, described his literary world as both hermetic and infinite, encompassing elements of the provincial and universal, resonating deeply with Hebrew culture.
Tamar Mor Sela, a former student of Hoffman, described him as an extraordinary lecturer, not only for his academic prowess but also for his spiritual guidance. Mor Sela fondly remembers engaging in deep conversations with Hoffman, often receiving thought-provoking answers that evoked further questioning.
Hoffman’s works, often described as melancholic literature, explore topics such as loss, orphanhood, and the Holocaust. His editor and long-time friend, Yigal Schwartz, remarked on the profound impact of the Holocaust on Hoffman’s writing and the connection he perceived between death and aesthetics.
In recent years, Hoffman endured the immense grief of losing two children: his son Tomer in a car accident and his daughter Yasmin to illness. Schwartz marveled at Hoffman’s resilience and called him a rare figure who confronted the complexities of life with courage.
Hoffman’s writings and character remain deeply enigmatic, leaving readers with a sense of mystery. Prof. Rachel Albeck-Gedron, in her book “The Possible Third,” examined the intricate language and contrasting themes present in Hoffman’s literary world.
In the wake of Hoffman’s passing, the literary community mourns the loss of a visionary and wordsmith. His legacy lives on through his remarkable body of work, which defied categorization and illuminated new realms of imagination.