Kabbalah: The Way of the Jewish Mystic

by Perle Besserman, Edward Hoffman (Foreword)

In both dark and bright periods of Jewish history, the study of Kabbalah has remained a constant focus on the mystical tradition. Although there has recently been renewed interest in Jewish mysticism, which has flourished for over five thousand years, the Kabbalah is little understood, even among Jews. Perle Epstein broaches the subject with insight and passion.

Epstein traces the history of Kabbalah through the lives of its illustrious scholars and practitioners, and unravels the web of ancient traditions hidden in texts such as the Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar. She clearly outlines the several schools of Jewish mystical thought, as well as their various methods and approaches to mystical knowledge: study of the Bible's secret teachings, rituals, ecstatic prayers, and intensive meditations.

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

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 1980

About the author

Also writes as Perle Epstein

Reviews

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Unfortunately I lost my copy in an apartment fire with a lot of my other books

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun fact: Leonard Nimoy based the Vulcan salute on the hand gestures he had seen used by priests in his strict Hasidic upbringing. That information isn't anywhere in this book, which was replete with typographical errors and kerning issues that made it genuinely unreadable at times, but there was a drawing of this hand gesture that I took a picture of and sent to my boyfriend and he, being somehow even more of an insufferable know-it-all than me, responded with this fact.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was on my early twenties, researching about spirituality, but nothing did fit in, I could not fully accept anything, until I touched this book, after five minutes of reading it I started to burn like fire, I knew all this even before the end, it was so magical discover that on my own tradition I had all the answers I was hoping to get. It was a life changer, never stopped to be guided by these teachings plus mitzvot afterwards. My family is secular, and I did not have a clue about this tradition, because they were so ignorant unfortunately.
So I am really glad I came across this book.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

[4.25] Excellent overview of the Kabbalah and its influence over historic and even modern Jewish life especially with Hasidim. There were some excellent parts of the book and I think it truly is a superb summary. I would say that at times it felt as if certain details were missing but this is understandable as I imagine it would otherwise go on too long.

[reqbat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weirdly NOT laid out in chronological order while also presenting as a history book? I was looking for a deep-dive in to what Kabbalah is, alas. Editing messes with entire run-on sentences in no less than five places… just unfortunate.

[Miguel Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

kind of a good read.
it was enlightening for me to understand some of the Jewish mysticism but sometimes was a bit hard to read.
if you're curious I recommend the read

[Haley Berhane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ! I learned a lot because I basically knew nothing. I wish there had been more of a clear through line and conclusion.

[Daniel Jansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro, and liked the biographies within. Could have went a little more into the metaphysics, but overall good summary.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dry exposition on an interesting topic. Perhaps the ecstatism of the mystics simply does not translate well onto the page. Enhanced my view of Judaism.

[Edy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a million times better than the pop Kabbalah books that have been coming out since the late 1990s/ early 2000s. The author is deeply familiar with the various strains of Jewish mysticism.

Without the basis in ritualistic religious practice, Jewish mysticism has very little meaning and certainly less significance than a superficial feeling of being connected to the divine.

In Judaism, the Torah is divine and the world is created for us to keep the Torah. Most people who say they “practice Kabbalah” today do not keep the precepts of the Torah and the Ten Commandments. Not a single one of these people would be considered as Kabbalah initiates or genuine followers of the faith. This book provides a good grounding on the genuine movement and it’s underlying principles.

Rebbe Nachman: “one who does not meditate cannot have Wisdom. He may occasionally be able to concentrate, but not for any length of time. His power of concentration remains weak and cannot he maintained. One who does not meditate also does not realize the foolishness of the world. But one who has a relaxed and penetrating mind can see that it is all vanity.”

[Ani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book, 36 years ago. It was then one of the first, if not the first overview in English of Jewish Mysticism. What I loved then and again on this recent read is how deeply and reverently the author goes into this material. This is not a dry analysis, but rather Epstein manages to convey the passionate commitment of centuries of Kabbalists, which gives the book’s reader more than a mere intellectual glimpse. Perle Epstein takes us into the world of the mystic’s hunger and experience. I feel much appreciation for this work.

[Martha Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 14 year old grandson ask me to read this book that had been on my shelf unread for years so we could discuss it. It was not an easy read but fascinating to learn how universal are the beliefs of mystics of all religions.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine, clearly explicated overview of Jewish mysticism set in context of extraordinary historical persons and their trance-inducing practices. Enjoyable to read and strangely inspiring.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A history of Kabbalah. I mean that is it. No mysteries or anything, just a history.