Endless Light

by David Aaron

The head of Jerusalem's Isralight Institute offers a path to spiritual growth and answers to life's deepest questions drawn from the cabala (occult Jewish philosophy based on a mystical interpretation of the Scriptures). 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Jewish, Judaism, Philosophy, Self Help, Religion, Spirituality, Faith

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 1997

About the author

Rabbi David Aaron is the founder and dean of the Isralight Institute, an international organization with centers in Israel and the United States. He travels throughout the world lecturing and leading retreats. Spiritual mentor to many, including several celebrities, Aaron is also the author of Endless Light. He lives in the Old City of Jerusalem with his wife and their seven children.

Reviews

[Kressel Housman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I studied with Rabbi David Aaron at his Isralight Institute, so I can say with authority that the writing style in this, his first book, is exactly like his speaking style. He makes the spiritual concepts of Kabbalah accessible because he relates them to everyday life experiences. And he’s funny. The title of his first chapter is “What’s It All About?” “No sense starting small,” he begins. Then he devotes the next three chapters to explaining why G-d created humanity. The main concept is the Kabbalistic “tzimtzum,” which literally means “contraction,” but Rabbi Aaron explains it as “making space.” If you love someone, you make space for him in your life, even if he gets on your nerves sometimes. That’s exactly what G-d did in creating us.

My favorite chapters are on the theme of fate vs. choice. Rabbi Aaron quotes the famous line from Shakespeare, “All the world's a stage and the men and women merely players." “The word ‘merely’ disparages our role,” he says. Our actions have tremendous impact in this world. To illustrate this, he tells stories of how people live their lives, some from modern times and some Torah examples, specifically Joseph and Queen Esther. The conclusion of that chapter is especially inspiring: “There is fate - a clear direction, a goal, a plan. What's going to be is going to be. But how it's going to happen is ...our choice ... It is a very basic Kabbalistic idea: The evolution of the world of love will go on no matter what. But you have a choice. Do you want to have a role in it, or not?...What role do you choose to play? The hero? The villain? The protagonist? The antagonist?...That is your choice.”

This is only a taste of the insights to be found in Endless Light. People with all levels of exposure to traditional Jewish scholarship can appreciate it. Like much about Kabbalah, Endless Light embodies a contradiction. It’s stimulating and profound yet a fast and easy read.

[Auth Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books ever written. No matter what a person's faith or religious beliefs they can benefit from this book. It is a great book for those with an interest in the Kabbalah that do not want to do an intense study into it but want to get the main gist of things, from a spiritual standpoint. It is also a great self help book. Read it, you won't be sorry.

[JW van der Merwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbi David's book is full of wisdom and Biblical (especially Torah) references. The practical stories and analogies make some things easier to understand, But there are many difficult portions to understand or even experience. This book is not for the feint hearted but the searcher of truth and Light and Life. I loved it and read it over a period of time and it certainly helped me understand also understand Torah better. A lot to gain through application...

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and lucid explanation of Kabbalah and relationships. This book does not require that you become a kabbalist. It does ask you to open your heart to a possibility of manifesting love in a new and meaningful way. Exercises at the end of the chapters allow for a deeper engagement with his thesis.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely obsessed with this book! It teaches so many valuable lessons and is beyond interesting, captivating, mind-blowing and helpful. I cried at some point hahah

[Edward L.]

133

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible Kaballah.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read on the essence of Kabbalah. I felt the book was a little dense at time and not sure how much I absorbed, but good comprehensive summary.

[Debs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had borrowed this from a friend and was just picking it up infrequently, and then he wanted it back. I was liking it though. It was written in a really accessible way and the concepts were right and good.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant...even though I don't practice Kabbalah. It has the most beautiful and idealistic theories on love and partnership.

[Joye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent practical book about the precepts and day to day applications to the Kabbalah and mainstream Judaism.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words for thought. Examples author gives make the thought he tries to pass on understandable.