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| Simple | Basic | Intermediate | Advanced | very technical | not rated |
Jewish Mysticism by Rabbi J. Abelson. Sepher-Hermon Press, 1913
Etz Chaim : Hebrew Text by Yehuda Ashlag' (condensed 2 Vol. Set - in Hebrew (vol.002)
Ten Luminous Emanations by Yehuda Ashlag - Paperback Vol 001 (June 1970)
Kabbalah Learning Center
Ten Luminous Emanations by Yehuda Ashlag - Paperback Vol 002 (June 1973) Kabbalah Learning Center
The above are available from Amazon com. The following older editions may be the same books, or at least contain the same material:
Apart from Kaplan's Meditation and Kabbalah, this is the only book in English with translations of origional Lurianic (Chaim Vital) material into English (Etz Hayyim - the "Tree f Life"). Difficult going but still highly recommended reading. Or you can get the Hebrew version
The only reason i'm giving it four and not five stars is because it would be even better with less Ashlagan commentary and more original Lurianic/Vital text translated. ![]()
An Entrance to the Tree of Life of Rabbi Isaac Luria by Yehuda Ashlag, edited by Philip S. Berg - A popularised approach to Ashlagian Lurianism. I havent read it but Berg tries to present things in a non-technical way, so I would say he is less difficult to understand that others of the Ashlag school
Instructions in Intercourse with God by The Baal Shem Tov (Martin Buber, Trans.). Horizon Press, 1958)
Kabbalah for the Layman by Philip S. Berg, - a non-technical approach to Kabbalah. Dr Berg is the main populariser of the Ashlag school of Lurianic Kabbalah. Compare this book with Steinsaltz
Bahir by Aryeh Kaplan (Translator) Translation of the earliest true Kabbalistic text. Not as interesting as fully developed Kabbalah, but an important historical work
The Jewish Mystical Tradition (Chapter 3), Ben Zion Bokser. The Pilgrim Press, 1981
The Early Kabbalah (Classics of Western Spirituality), ed. by Joseph Dan and Ronald C. Kiener
Kabbalah : The Way of the Jewish Mystic by Perle Epstein - one of the early popular books on Kabbalah (dates to the late 60s) - very easy to read, very basic, perhaps useful as a primer, but since been superseded by other, more authorative writers - also available in audio cassette - ![]()
Safed Spirituality by Lawrence Fine. Paulist Press, 1984
Kabbalah : Tradition of Hidden Knowledge (Art and Imagination) by Z'Ev Ben Shimon Halevi - this is essentially a picture book, like all the Art and Imagination series. Great for a brief overview and some really nice illustrations. But don't expect any in-depth information here ![]()
Kabbalah : New Perspectives by Moshe Idel - the greatest Kababalistic writer around today, but very dense and technical ![]()
Meditation and Kabbalah by Aryeh Kaplan - superb anthology of esoteric Kabbalistic texts ![]()
The Light of Redemption by Levi Krakovsky - another book of the Ashlag school of Lurianic Kabbalah - dense and difficult to read - hence the low rating, but there is some interesting information and diagrams ![]()
Jewish Mystical Testimonies (Chapter 11), Lewis Jacobs. Schocken Books, 1978
Likutey Moharan (Hebrew & English), Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. (Rabbi Simcha Bergman, Trans.) Jerusalem: Breslov Research Institute, 1986
General Principles of Kabbalah by Moses Luzzatto - my all-time favourite book on Lurianic Kabbalah. Would you belive it is out of priint!!!! ![]()
Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism by Gershom Scholem, 1941 very readable overview of Jewish Mysticism ![]()
On the Kabbalah and Its Symbolism by Gershom Scholem, 1969.
Kabbalah by Gershom Scholem - a more indepth and technical book than his Major Trends ![]()
Sabbatai Sevi: The Mystical Messiah by Gershom Scholem, 1973
The Messianic Idea in Judaism, by Gershom Scholem, 1971
Path of the Kabbalah by David Sheinkin - I havent read it, but it gets some good reviews by readers at Amazon. The fact that Sheinkin's teacher was the esteemed Aryeh Kaplan is perhaps recommendation enough!
Beyond Words ~ The Sounds of the Kabballah by Shulamit - I havent heard it, but it certainly seems interesting!
Album Description:
The SoulSongs "Beyond Words" CD has 10 tracks, each containing a different combination of Kabballistic Vocal Tones. Each Track has been specifically created by Shulamit to help awaken the Neshamah within.
The Thirteen Petalled Rose by Adin Steinsaltz, transl. by Yehuda Hanegbi - Steinsalt is a maverick in Jewish religious writing, with a wonderful flowing easy to read style almost unheard of in his community. No footnotes, just a straight exposition. Essentially this would seem to be a non-technical account of the Chabad/Ashlag Lurianic position. If you want to understand what the modern orthodox Kabbalists believe, get this book! ![]()
9 1/2 Mystics: The Kabbala Today by Herbert Weiner, et al - wonderful travelling biographic accounts of modern day Kabbalists! ![]()
Sefer Yetzirah : The Book of Creation edited and commentary by Aryeh Kaplan
Lessons in Tanya : The Tanya of R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi edited Yosef Vaynberg, transl. by Sholom Wineberg and Levi Wineberg - a fascinating and detailed book - very difficult to read, but full of all sorts of incredible judaic, kabbalistic, and symbolic minutae ![]()
Zohar : The Book of Enlightenment (Classics of Western Spirituality) introduction by Daniel Chanan Matt - an anthology only - not the whole book!!!
Zohar : The Book of Splendor : Basic Readings from the Kabbalah by Gershom Scholem (Editor)