Honey from the Rock, Special Anniversary Edition

by Lawrence Kushner

Quite simply, the easiest introduction to Jewish mysticism you can read. An insightful and absorbing introduction to the ten gates of Jewish mysticism and how they apply to daily life. "There is a place that is as far from here as breathing out is from breathing in. For the word is very near to you. Where life forever holds gentle sway over death, where people are human with the same grace that a willow is a willow, where the struggle and the yearning between male and female is at last resolved.... It is to begin with, all inside us."
―from the Introduction "In the past decade I've read Honey from the Rock at least half a dozen times. Every time I read it I wonder if I have ever read it before. Either it keeps changing, or I do. Maybe it’s both.... As someone told 'Lawrence Kushner is a mystic. He gives you flashes of insight.'"
―from the Publisher’s Preface to the Anniversary Edition

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

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I often return to this, even just to read a single passage or section.

An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, however, I wouldn't call it. I feel that folks who read this with no background in the mystical tenets may have a slightly difficult time. Although the book covers basic ideas in mysticism, I feel the way they are presented may leave some folks in the dark.

Kushner has a unique--and very personal--way of presenting topics in Jewish mysticism, that I really love.

I would recommend this for anyone who would like to re-invigorate their study of Hebrew letters and/or basic ideas in mysticism, in a way that isn't textbook type explanations, or expository description.

[Annasaurus Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about Jewish spirituality. Only reason it does not get a 5 is because 5 stars means it is part of my canon for life and I'm not sure if this is on the level. But excellent read and I highly recommend to the seekers, searchers, and those curious about this world and other worlds.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book and I can see myself returning to it and gaining new insights every time. Down sides: I don't actually think this is a good introduction to Jewish mysticism as it immediately plunges the reader into actual mystical text, thought, and meditations. Some history or even an idea of when the various texts are written in relation to each other might have been useful. That said, I'm in no way a newbie to mysticism. I know every work he referenced, and could follow the subtlety of his references, and so for me this was a wonderful and refreshing delight. I'd highly recommend it to someone who's had at least a brief introduction elsewhere. I have only read a few books by this author, but I believe that this is far and away his best work.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly inspirational read. Kushner was recommended to me by a friend's uncle who while being a Christian minister also has a great respect and love of Judaism. This book helped me to open up my own heart to my Jewish heritage. The writing is profound, yet very accessible. It's one of those books that could be read again and again and gain further insight. Highly recommend.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly inspirational read. Kushner was recommended to me by a friend's uncle who while being a Christian minister also has a great respect and love of Judaism. This book helped me to open up my own heart to my Jewish heritage. The writing is profound, yet very accessible. It's one of those books that could be read again and again and gain further insight. Highly recommend.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure there is much of value here. Is this really Kabbalah? It seems very different from the other Kabbalah books I have read and my yeshiva classes. It does on the other hand connect to the Torah very well and Talmud too.

[Jumana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this twice while on silent retreats - absolutely the most beautiful writing with delicate stories that lead one to the entrance that will take one deeper and closer. I'll read it again, I'm sure. Thank you, Rabbi Kushner.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Glad I own it do I can look back on it again.
He brings the magic of looking for God alive and helps us seem glimpses of how to …

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this the first time I read it 25 years ago or so, when I was so hungry for religious thought deeper and more complex and less tired that what usually gets published about monotheism. This time, though, I was impatient--there wasn't enough discussion of suffering, which is not usually a weakness in Judaism.

I did find Kushner's definition of religion interesting: "Religion is a more or less organized way of remembering that every mystery points to a higher reality" (34).

I don't know. Five stars for the first time I read it and three stars for this time, which averages out to four stars.

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is a place that is as far from here as breathing out is from breathing in...It is, to begin with, all inside us. But because we are all miniature versions of the universe, it is also found far beyond."

"And that in each letter and each line and each crownlet of each letter are entrances to worlds of awareness."

Another wonderful mystical spiritual adventure by Rabbi Kushner.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a book club. Not a book I would have picked up on my own, but I enjoyed it more than I expected. I would not really call this book an intro to Jewish mysticism because the author assumes a familiarity with Jewish texts and the book is sprinkled with quotes in Hebrew and Aramaic. However, his reflections and meditations on the texts provide much food for thought.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing.
It takes a somewhat popular topic, the zeitgeist esoteric religion of kabbalah and is opening it up in understandable ways.

Rabbi Kushner is well read and versed in the topic.
Someone should pass this off to Madonna!

[Joshua Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great modern midrashim!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

very insightful

[H Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the Light~* Brilliant book that I read and re-read, and meditate upon.