The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, Vol. 1

by Daniel C. Matt (translator)

The first two volumes of The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, translated with commentary by Daniel C. Matt, cover more than half of the Zohar's commentary on the Book of Genesis (through Genesis 32:3). This is the first translation ever made from a critical Aramaic text of the Zohar, which has been established by Professor Matt based on a wide range of original manuscripts. The extensive commentary, appearing at the bottom of each page, clarifies the kabbalistic symbolism and terminology, and cites sources and parallels from biblical, rabbinic, and kabbalistic texts. The translator's introduction is accompanied by a second introduction written by Arthur Green, discussing the origin and significance of the Zohar. Please see the Zohar Home Page for ancillary materials, including the publication schedule, press release, Aramaic text, questions, and answers.

Further information on the Zohar:

Sefer ha-Zohar, "The Book of Radiance," has amazed and overwhelmed readers ever since it emerged mysteriously in medieval Spain toward the end of the thirteenth century. Written in a unique Aramaic, this masterpiece of Kabbalah exceeds the dimensions of a normal book; it is virtually a body of literature, comprising over twenty discrete sections. The bulk of the Zohar consists of a running commentary on the Torah, from Genesis through Deuteronomy. This translation begins and focuses here in what are projected to be ten volumes. Two subsequent volumes will cover other, shorter sections.

The Zohar's commentary is composed in the form of a mystical novel. The hero is Rabbi Shim'on son of Yohai, a saintly disciple of Rabbi Akiva who lived in the second century in the land of Israel. In the Zohar, Rabbi Shim'on and his companions wander through the hills of Galilee, discovering and sharing secrets of Torah.

On one level, biblical figures such as Abraham and Sarah are the main characters, and the mystical companions interpret their words, actions, and personalities. On a deeper level, the text of the Bible is simply the starting point, a springboard for the imagination. For example, when God commands Abraham, Lekh lekha, Go forth... to the land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1), Rabbi El'azar ignores idiomatic usage and insists on reading the words more literally than they were intended, hyperliterally: Lekh lekha, Go to yourself! Search deep within to discover your true self.

At times, the companions themselves become the main characters, and we read about their dramatic mystical sessions with Rabbi Shim'on or their adventures on the road, for example, an encounter with a cantankerous old donkey driver who turns out to be a master of wisdom in disguise.

Ultimately, the plot of the Zohar focuses on the ten sefirot, the various stages of God's inner life, aspects of divine personality, both feminine and masculine. By penetrating the literal surface of the Torah, the mystical commentators transform the biblical narrative into a biography of God. The entire Torah is read as one continuous divine name, expressing divine being. Even a seemingly insignificant verse can reveal the inner dynamics of the sefirot—how God feels, responds and acts, how She and He (the divine feminine and masculine) relate intimately with each other and with the world.

Genres: Religion, Judaism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Jewish, Mysticism, Nonfiction

584 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2003

Reviews

[Louise Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Zohar is a work of vast depth. It is believed to be created by the second-century Talmudic sage, Rabbi Simeon bar Yohai and authored by the Spanish Kabbalist, Moses de Leon before 1300.

The text presents a mystical interpretation of each chapter and verse of the Torah in a metaphysical reality map of the sefirotic tree of life. The sefirot are divine attributes that bridge The Infinite One to the finite human mind.

This edition by Daniel Matt is the most complete English translation available. The introduction is invaluable for understanding the basics of Kabbalah and its relationship to the text and must be read and re-read for its many levels.

[Zachary Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Hebrew student, but non-native reader, I found the Pritzker edition of the Zohar to be the best I've read.

The Zohar is a work of vast depth, and this edition did not substitute for a lack of knowing the allegorical subtleties of gematria. I'm sure the editors sought a balance regarding the amount of footnote material presented, give that this edition is 75% notes and 25% content.

Readers not familiar with the verse of Torah upon which the Zohar is commenting will need a torah/bible beside them to keep the flow of the original, and to contextualize the commentary.

I think this is the most voluminous rendering of the Zohar's light to-date.

[James Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zohar is a must read for poets. It gave me a better grasp on the metaphysical poets and philosophy.

[Graham Cammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Zohar, although I did not read this version, I read volume 1 of 23 of the Patterson family edition by the Kabbalah centre.

[Iwan Bran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is certainly and undertaking to read. It is not light reading by any means. I bought it because it goes deep into the study and explanation of one of the most important books of the Kabbalistic tradition, Sefer Ha Zohar (Book of Splendor). After a lengthy introduction, the Zohar coincides with the Torah Parshah (Portions read on a weekly or daily basis). I am thrilled to have this wonderfully written and detailed commentary of the primary text of Jewish Mysticism.

[The Esoteric Jungle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Woe, woe to the men who know nought, observe nought, nor will they see...They are all blind since they remain ignorant how much the world is full of various and invisible creatures which crowd even in the most sacred places.” [Zohar, Part I, col. 177]

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Zohar performs an unparalleled feat of scriptural exegesis, singlemindedly interpreting the biblical text, virtually line-by-line, as an allusive allegory of the kabbalists' mystical theology of emanation. Every character, every place, every act, and very nearly every word of narrative and speech is made to represent some element of an eternally unfolding interaction of supernal entities which creates and sustains the manifest world. What makes the Zohar's hermeneutic program so incredible is, in fact, the utter simplicity of the metaphysical system it seeks to illustrate; every passage of Torah is analyzed, cross-referenced, and remodulated until it produces one and the same story of divine effluence, division, and reunion. The Zohar miraculously transposes five books and several thousand characters into a sustained recapitulation of the endlessly cyclical relations among the ten sefirot. As impressive a literary accomplishment as this is, the potential edification in studying the text becomes subject to rapidly diminishing returns – once the infrastructure is made apparent, further discoveries and nuances are few and far between. Still, the determined reader will continue to occasionally discover unique theological speculations and mythological curiosities scattered throughout the text, and the extensive footnotes furnished by translator-editor Daniel Matt are a truly invaluable scholarly resource, unpacking both the Zohar's mystical allusions and its dense intertextuality, explicating the authors' otherwise obscure references to Talmudic opinions, rabbinic literature, and Jewish liturgy and folklore.

[Frankcel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good work of translation, although as Yehuda Liebes has remarked, it would be better if it had been a bilingual edition with the original Aramaic.

[☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting...

[Abhinav Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

While i read and completed in 1.5 years, my eyes opened to the grace of god each moment. Post learning, Tantra theology and Indian divine systems this provides an amazing platform to bring lucidity to individuals knowledge. Very Very rich explanation done by Daniel Matt - indeed a work of 2 lifetimes in one.

It will take 3,4 years to complete all 9 volumes. and then other works of Daniel C Matt.

IF you want to exactly know the fabric of "god" and what it is spend at least a year reading this supported by focused meditation. Understand the true nature of torah and Kabbalah !!

also there is a lifetime to read about (Nachman, Luria, Tanya, Ramban, Shimon Bar yochai, Bar Ha Sulam and due to limits i cannot name the whole cannon here)

Keep the fire burning !!

Abhinav

[Alex Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not that familiar with the Jewish or the Christian mystic traditions. This is a nice volume with a ton of commentary. Like the Mishna or Talmud, there is commentary layered on commentary as the structure of the universe (and God) is slowly exposed in terms of a hierarchy.

What strikes me in the various exposition is that there is a deepening of the characters from Genesis as tradition, and various Kabbala-"ic" threads are pulled together into one meditative text.q This reminds me a little of the mechanics of shows like Seinfield in that commentary is layered on commentary in a back and forth exposition of meaning. But that is overall, just an impression I get.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The current religious publication project most likely to define the age; i.e., "That was published at the same time the Daniel Matt/Pritzker Zohar was published." A reference point. One of the most interesting books ever published?

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How did the Holy One, Blessed Be He, create light...He wrapped himself in a Tallit of light." Awesome. This is an awesome translation of the Zohar...an absolute joy to read. The mystical tradition of Judaism is worth delving into and this is one awesome book with which to begin.

[Yeshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is not for the faint hearted. The ancient kabbalists require a strong moral background.
Expanding the stories from the Torah ( Bible), the Zohar clarifies the spiritual destiny of the human race.

A very clear English translation filled with notes and resource material.

Best to use a Hebrew translation of the Bible as a as a continuous reading source.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esoteric comments on the Torah and more; the heart of Kabbalah texts. As of June 2017 twelve volumes in print!

[Michael Grzesiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.7

[Cole Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Matt is a master scholar and a treasure of this generation and many to come.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my go-to book of study for those impossibly difficult years. It is amazing subject matter.

[Cornissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the real stuff. Not some esoteric mumbo jumbo. This is Kabbalah. Every word is a reveleation, a hidden light to explore. The translation and presentation is excellent. Just for ultra serious students!

[Craig Bolton]

"The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, Vol. 1 by Daniel C. Matt (2003)"

[Ala Eden von Rabbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book never fails to astonish with every reading. Will write more when finished.

[Global Donnica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the faint at heart....

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Very thought provoking.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

very hard to read