Inner Work

by Rebbe Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb, Avraham Loewenthal (Translator)

Inner Work is a compilation of deep spiritual teachings of a contemporary Kabbalah master. These profound teachings, originally written in Hebrew, are translated here for the first time into English. The passages focus on the subject of inner spiritual work and inner transformation.

159 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, this is not a review on or a reflection of the Ba'al HaSulam (Ashlag) or of R. Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb's teachings, as I am a fan of both in their place. I am grateful that this collection of sayings was brought to English. Unfortunately (or is it the highest blessing?) I can read the sections of the original works included and often found myself disagreeing with the translations and editing. Avraham Loewenthal (translator of this work, and an incredible artist and teacher in his own right, and this is also not personal in any way) chooses pieces from Gottlieb's varied works and translates only passages of them. I feel a large section is missing when this happens, and a straight translation is not offered. It's well and good to teach on a theme (say, emunah), but when pieces are picked according to what you want to teach, it ceases to be the teacher's actual work and becomes one's own agenda. Also, in the translations, only the most basic knowledge is assumed, and Loewenthal misses out on offering the actual kabbalistic wording (example: when something says Binah but the translation offered is literally anything other than the actual word Binah. Many of us in English speaking world can grasp the varied nuances of why Binah is being called on or referenced, but to have it translated takes away from the fact that that was the word used there. Other words ok, but when it comes to the Sefirot names, which are there for a reason, translation takes away from the spirit and meaning of it.) I found much of the work repetitive in a way that Gottlieb is not. This is the downfall of cherry picking 'sayings' which do turn out very much alike.
Overall, this is a book of 'sayings' more than longer teachings. I was mildly disappointed with the way it is presented. All that said, I am very grateful that this type of work is beginning to show up in translation so I have more of a reference point to point my own students toward who may want a taste of it. Thank you to the translator for making this available in the US and not only in Safed any more.