Simple Kabbalah

by Kim Zetter, Ira Steingroot (Foreword)

Simple Kabbalah is an accessible guide to the complex principles and history of this Jewish mystical belief system. In her clear and concise prose, journalist and Jewish scholar Kim Zetter outlines the history of this ancient set of beliefs, presents its key tenets, and explains its main symbol, the Tree of Life. She then shows how to practice the wisdom of kabbalah in everyday life through meditation and exercises for calming the mind and sharpening awareness. Readers learn how this esoteric knowledge can affect every aspect of life, from attitudes about work and the environment to social and personal interactions.

Genres: Religion, Judaism, Nonfiction, Mysticism

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I'm no expert in the Kabbalah. I think it's important that I say this as this book may have many factual errors that I wouldn't detect because of my lack of expertise in the subject. As such, I'm not going to comment on the book's accuracy, only my experience of reading it, and how things appeared to me as I did so.

As the title implies, this is a simplified version of a very complex subject. If you find yourself intimidated by other books on the subject, this might be the place to go to clear up some of the basics.

It's an easy read, written in an approachable style, and is short enough that can be polished off in a single sitting.

I found this book fairly useful, but it's not the be-all end all of this subject, and while many of my questions were answered, I was left with plenty more.

This is pretty good for what it's trying to accomplish,I think, though I wish the author had gone for just a little bit more.

[Lingui5t · Rating 3 out of 5]

It strikes me that Kabbalah is a topic about which endless tomes could be written pertaining to the smallest minutiae.

What I appreciate about this book is that it includes some of the practical aspects of incorporating each sefira, and it was also very sensibly and straightforwardly written (as opposed to, say, The Way by Michael Berg, which is difficult to read).

[James Cannatelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginning point

I would recommend this book for individuals, who are curious about Kabbalah. Great outline of what Kabbalah is, and gives the reader a good starting point to this subject.

[David Erik Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighter than Matt’s ESSENTIAL KABBALAH (which is my recommended goto), but also includes some practical applications. Maybe a better intro than ESSENTIAL, though I’d still give ESSENTIAL primacy in my thinking.

[Michael Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple...as in not even really talking about the 11th sefirot, Daat. She mentions it in passing, yet doesn't ever incorporate it into the Tree of Life properly. I did appreciate the history of Kabbalah, and it is a very basic primer for learning about the Tree of Life from one perspective.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name is not a lie. This is a simple introduction to Kabbalah. I do think a little bit of a rudimentary understanding of Judaism is required, but that's my own thought. Some may not know the importance of Tikkun Olam or Gemilut Chassadim.

Overall, a great book.

[ALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

So insightful and descriptive. She really knows how to describe a new concept in understandable terms.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little read on Kabbalah basics. Goes into history, context, and a very brief description of how to practice.

[Esther Rivero]

Deep concepts I'm still trying to comprehend, will re-read.

[Amaris]

Very interesting book. I am reading this through discussions I have been having with my mother. I am not reading it because Madonna & Brittney Spears are into this practice. It is actually an old practice that was passed down to Moses by God on Mount Sinai at the same time he gave him the 10 commandments.

[Sal Coraccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, the narration - perfect. It was read with character and authority.

The material - hard to tell since I really don't know the scope of the thing, but I learned a lot and it gave me several areas for deeper exploration.

[Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic approach. Understandable and easy to read with some good examples. I started with almost no knowledge of the subject matter and think I now have at least a basic familiarity with it.