So, I have just finished reading this book, and had read the Sefer Yetzirah before, but only got a sort of basic intellectual understanding of what it represents. It's a very 'mysterious' book - that is, puzzling out what it is trying to express to the individual on a spiritual level is something of a task.
However, even after having just read this book, already I have a sense of comprehension that goes far, far deeper than what I had before - and that's to say nothing of the meditative practices it provides on the paths of the tree of life, which on reading appear to be something of a combination of energy work and pathworking.
The book is easy to read, requiring a little contemplation in some parts but all together rather straightforward. The introduction is especially interesting, discussing Kabbalah from the point of view of it's Magickal, Theoretical, and Meditative basis - and this follows as a theme in the rest of the book, giving what feels very much like a more multi-dimensional comprehension of Kabbalah than I have ever felt from any other book. Regardie's book, as well as fortunes, Give a system that in comparison feels less spiritual in it's substance, reducing Kabbalah to an intellectual exercise in comparison.
For anyone interested in classical kabbalah as a foundation to other more modern views - including the GD system, and Lisiewski's derivative systems of analysis and lifecycles - this is an invaluable text. For that matter, I recommend it to anyone who is or wants to be a practicing magician. Just from a theoretical and meditative standpoint, the book offers a deeply spiritualized view of kabbalah that is greatly lacking in much of the modern literature. From a magickal perspective, it offers a venue of practice that I feel has the potential to initiate a spiritual unfoldment in the individual that would otherwise be more of a longterm result of magickal development rather than a parallel process.
About Rabbi Kaplan, Judaism has this to say:
QUOTE
"Rabbi Kaplan was a prime force behind the teshuvah phenomenon – the return to Jewish observance. “Throughout history, Jews have always been observant,” he once remarked. “The teshuvah movement is just a normalization. The Jewish people are sort of getting their act together. We’re just doing what we’re supposed to do.”
In culling Jewish sources for his books, he once remarked, “I use my physics background to analyze and systematize data, very much as a physicist would deal with physical reality.” This ability enabled him to undertake monumental projects, producing close to 50 books, celebrated for their erudition, completeness and clarity.
His personal example of modesty, midos tovos, great human warmth and sensitivity, and total dedication to Torah study and life of mitzvos, was an inspiration to the thousands of individuals whom he touched. His home was always open to visitors, great and humble, from every segment of the Jewish community. His Shabbos table was always crowded with guests attracted to the beauty of the Torah life that he lived, and to the endless stream of wisdom and Torah insight which flowed from his lips.
He labored tirelessly, day and night, producing more outstanding works of great and original Torah scholarship single-handedly than teams of other authors working in the field. Yet, he somehow managed to find time for the simplest Jew, perfect strangers, seeking the answers to the spiritual questions in their lives. None were turned away empty-handed."
This approach to Kabbalah is especially amiable to jewish and christian practitioners who are concerned about pursuing the mystical arts and sciences, and throughout the book Rabbi Kaplan ties Kabbalah, through the Talmud and Zohar texts, into the old testament, theorizing on the origins of kabbalah, it's relationship to the Torah ('old' testament) which appears to be so lost in time that the two are reciprocal. Having been raised christian myself, although I left my religion behind years ago, found that I was nonetheless mysteriously comforted by this very mystical treatment of the old testament (which was always more exciting than the new testament).
Five out of five all around - I can find not one flaw in the book, it is concise, at times humorous, insightful, and despite being an occult treatment, is a page turner that you will not want to put down (that could just be me, though.)
peace
This post has been edited by Vagrant Dreamer: Mar 16 2008, 06:46 AM
Sefer Yitzirah, The Book Of Creation In Theory And Practice, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Mar 16 2008, 06:44 AM
