The Anointed

by Z'ev Ben Shimon Halevi

The horrors and injustice of the Spanish Inquisition are well known and often seen as a dark part of the past, from which we have learned and progressed. The Anointed provides an stunning example of personal fortitude in the face of adversity that echoes many aspects of contemporary life. Halevi shows how, despite all odds, it is tolerance, wisdom, compassion, and understanding that undermine the efforts of prejudice, fear, ignorance, and hate. Most importantly, Halevi demonstrates that God is bigger than all humans, and that we can never truly judge, lest we be judged. Bibliography. Index.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi (English name, Warren Kenton) is an author of books on the Toledano Tradition of Kabbalah, a teacher of the discipline, with a worldwide following, and a founder member of the Kabbalah Society.

For books written using his English name, Warren Kenton see:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Bjorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully and compellingly written. there seems to be a fundamental truth, a complete and elaborate system of beliefs — the wisdom of the kabbalah, presumably — to be at the core of this book. without being able to comprehend all of what this book says, i believe it and trust it blindly. the book elaborates the knowledge it comprises in a modest and covert way, but the knowledge nevertheless is standing there like a rock, behind the veil of the narrative, timeless, endlessly patient, fully prepared to be grasped by anyone who is willing and dedicated to master it. understanding this book equals understanding more about mysticism and about the kabbalah specifically. needless to say, i’m not at that level, and maybe i never will, but this book will be right up there on my bookshelf, always at my disposal, always willing to guide my thoughts to deeper insights, whenever i should wish to consult it for that purpose.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of an esoteric group practicing Kabbalistic principles at the time of the Inquisition in Spain. Once the first few chapters have been absorbed, the pages don't want to stop turning. The group is composed of Christians, Jews, and Muslims joined in harmony. One of the benefits of the book is the insight it gives into such group work. I especially liked how Halevi describes the inner processes of people, how sights and recognitions from deep down come to us, all of us, yet how we all too often don't want to see them because they don't fit our picture, our plan or conceived comforts. All of this, couched in the historic background of 15th century Spain, interwoven with a romance of passion versus love, makes for an extraordinary read.

[Dad Bowers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 15th c Spain three men, Jewish, converted Christian, and a Moor, meet to discuss fate using the Jewish system of divining, the Kabala. One man’s daughter falls in love with soldiers, but the peacemaking father is persecuted in the Inquisition. He tries to present the hero as the ‘anointed’ one for their era who dies like Christ for His era.

Bunch of bunk! A bit too much unnecessary sex, too. Halevi speaks today on tolerance and forgiveness. I Found it & read @ UWM-Phare, in Senegal, May ’12.

Arkana publishes other novels in a similar vein of using the novel to teach about different religions. they could be interesting if I could find them as they are a bit old now.
Jimbo