Discover the many lost and forgotten secrets of the Kabbalah through the words of famous rabbis and authors throughout history. Follow a historical time line of Judaic mysticism and learn the basic principles of the Kabbalah. Devise your own Kabbalah Wheel to spin the legendary 231 Holy Gates of combinations and permutations, as described in the ancient book on Jewish mysticism– the Sepher Yetzirah (also known as The Book of Formation or Book of Creation).

Joseph Dan, the Gershom Scholem Professor of Kabbalah Emeritus at the Hebrew University and long-time Professor of Jewish Studies at the Freie Universitat Berlin, is one of the most influential figures in the fields of Jewish mystical thought, homiletical and ethical literature, modern Messianism and Hasidism, and contemporary 'belles-lettres'. His studies of the diverse aspects of Jewish creativity, with close attention to the dialectics of religious-cultural continuity versus historical innovation, provide a comprehensive overview of the complex history of Jewish thought and its multiple creative faces. It is precisely for this reason, to honor Joseph Dan's multifaceted research, that his many colleagues, students, and friends, scattered among universities around the world, have decided to focus their contributions in this Festschrift on the continuing process of creation and re-creation in Jewish thought throughout the centuries. Contributors: Philip Alexander, Dan Ben-Amos, Peter Schafer, Margarete Schluter, Bernard McGinn, Klaus Herrmann, Herbert Davidson, Annelies Kuyt, Haym Soloveitchik, Eli Yassif, Gerold Necker, Marc Saperstein, Giuseppe Veltri, Aviezer Ravitzky, Avinoam Rosenak, Kimmy Caplan, Saverio Campanini, Eric Jacobson, Yair Zakovitch, Rachel Elior, David Weiss Halivni, Avigdor Shinan, Avraham Grossman, Giulio Busi, Moshe Hallamish, Chava Turniansky, Jacob Elbaum, Hagit Matras, Joseph Hacker, Raya Haran, Arnold J. Band, Hamutal Bar Yosef, Miri Kubovy, Naama ben Shahar.

Presenting a unique exploration of education at “the edge of experience,” this book investigates how unassimilable concepts can reconceptualize education in order to grapple with what is beyond understanding. Working at the intersection of curriculum theory, philosophy and psychoanalysis, Morris examines how each of these “unassimilable” concepts such as lament, disavowal, breathlessness, and the Kafkaesque point toward currere as the edge of experience. It addresses what Lee Braver calls “the groundless grounds” and what Avital Ronell calls “the quicksand that is philosophy” to approach slippage and breaking points through an interdisciplinary lens. Pointing to an understanding of our largely social ills and extending William F. Pinar’s early work on currere in new and innovative directions, this book will appeal to curriculum theorists, education philosophers, psychoanalysts, and those with interests in the philosophy and theory of education.

The Kabbalah - Collected Books is an illuminating anthology that encompasses a wide range of literary styles and diverse interpretations of Kabbalistic philosophy. The collection serves as a comprehensive exploration into the mystical aspects of Jewish thought, carved through the lens of various scholars, mystics, and interpreters. This anthology distinguishes itself by amalgamating works that span from analytical discourses to poetic interpretations, highlighting the multifaceted nature of Kabbalistic study. It embeds itself deeply within the spiritual and intellectual currents that have shaped Jewish mystical thought, presenting readers with a rich tapestry of wisdom that has influenced countless generations. The contributing authors, J. Abelson, Nurho de Manhar, Bernhard Pick, S. L. MacGregor Mathers, and W. W. Westcot, are renowned for their profound contributions to the study and dissemination of Kabbalistic knowledge. Each brings a unique perspective, rooted in varied historical and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the expansive dialogue within Kabbalistic tradition. Their collective works trace the evolution of Kabbalah within different epochs, revealing the dynamic interplay between ancient wisdom and contemporary thought. This anthology not only aligns with, but also enriches the understanding of spiritual inquiry and metaphysical exploration. The Kabbalah - Collected Books is a must-read for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the realms of spiritual wisdom and Jewish mysticism. It offers readers an unprecedented opportunity to traverse a landscape of thought that bridges the gap between the esoteric and the accessible. This collection is recommended for its academic value, its diversity in perspectives, and its potential to inspire profound reflections on spirituality and existence. Engaging with this anthology promises an enriching journey through the nuanced depths of Kabbalistic philosophy, inviting readers to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the echoes of ancient wisdom that resonate through modern times.

Kabbalah is an esoteric method, discipline, and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It is Kabbalah is a set of esoteric teachings meant to explain the relationship between the unchanging, eternal God–the mysterious Ein Sof ("The Infinite")–and the mortal, finite universe (God's creation). It forms the foundation of mystical religious interpretations within Judaism. Historically, Kabbalah emerged from earlier forms of Jewish mysticism, in 12th- to 13th-century Spain and Southern France, and was reinterpreted during the Jewish mystical renaissance in 16th-century Ottoman Palestine. Jewish Kabbalists originally developed their own transmission of sacred texts within the realm of Jewish tradition. For kabbalists, ten utterances in Genesis with which God created the world are linked to the ten sefirot—the divine structure of all being. According to the Zohar and the Sefer ha-Yihud, the Torah is synonymous with God._x000D_ Table of Contents:_x000D_ "The Cabala" by Bernhard Pick is a brief critical introduction to the Kabbalah._x000D_ "Sefer Yetzirah" or, The Book of Creation" is one of primary sources of Kabbalistic teaching._x000D_ "The Sepher Ha-Zohar" or, The Book of Light – Zohar, or Splendor is the most important text of Kabbalah, at times achieving even canonical status as part of Oral Torah. It is a mystical commentary on the Torah._x000D_ "Jewish Mysticism" by J. Abelson gives Kabbalah the historical context and presents it as a product of the development of Jewish mystical thought._x000D_ "The Kabbalah Unveiled" by S. L. MacGregor Mathers presents the translations and commentaries of the books of Zohar: The Book of Concealed Mystery; The Greater Holy Assembly; and The Lesser Holy Assembly.

The Essential Works of Kabbalah brings together a spectrum of texts that illuminate the intricate tapestry of Kabbalistic thought, spanning diverse literary styles from the mystical to the scholarly. This collection navigates the vast realm of Jewish mysticism, offering readers a comprehensive exploration into its esoteric traditions and philosophical underpinnings. The anthology distinguishes itself through the inclusion of seminal pieces that have shaped Kabbalistic study and practice, emphasizing the historical significance and spiritual depth of these works without centering on individual authors, thereby celebrating the collective wisdom that has propelled Kabbalah through the centuries. The contributing authors and editors, J. Abelson, Nurho de Manhar, Bernhard Pick, S. L. MacGregor Mathers, and W. W. Westcot, come from varied backgrounds of scholarly research, mystical practice, and literary contribution, which enriches this compilation with a broad spectrum of perspectives. Their collective works mirror the multifaceted nature of Kabbalah itself, crossing historical, cultural, and philosophical boundaries and contributing to a renaissance of interest in Jewish mysticism. This collaboration unites the esoteric and exoteric dimensions of Kabbalah, mapping its evolution and offering an accessible gateway into its complex theories and practices. The Essential Works of Kabbalah is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in delving into the heart of Jewish mysticism. This anthology not only serves as an educational tool, shedding light on the interwoven narratives and teachings of Kabbalah but also offers a rare opportunity to engage with the minds of its most revered scholars. Readers are encouraged to explore this collection for its rich insights, its contribution to the ongoing dialogue between differing Kabbalistic interpretations, and its capacity to deepen ones understanding of a profound spiritual tradition.

With the publication of The Origins of the Kabbalah in 1950, one of the most important scholars of our century brought the obscure world of Jewish mysticism to a wider audience for the first time. A crucial work in the oeuvre of Gershom Scholem, this book details the beginnings of the Kabbalah in twelfth- and thirteenth-century southern France and Spain, showing its rich tradition of repeated attempts to achieve and portray direct experiences of God. The Origins of the Kabbalah is a contribution not only to the history of Jewish medieval mysticism, but also to the study of medieval mysticism in general. Now with a new foreword by David Biale, this book remains essential reading for students of the history of religion.

This book deals with aspects of the gender imaging of God in a variety of medieval kabbalistic sources. It provides the key to understanding the phenomenological structures of mystical experience as well as the thematic correlation of esotericism and eroticism that is central to the kabbalah. The author examines the role of gender utilizing current feminist studies and cultural anthropology. He explores the themes of the feminization of the Torah, the correlation of circumcision and vision of God, the phallocentric understanding of divine creation as a process of inscription mythologized as an act of sexual self-gratification, and the phenomenon of gender-crossing in kabbalistic myth and ritual. Collectively, the studies explore in great depth the androcentric phallocentrism that is characteristic of medieval Jewish mysticism.