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The Shambhala Guide to Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism
Jewish mystics from biblical times to the present have explored the hidden secrets of the Torah in quest of a single goal: to lose the self in the Infinite "No-thingness" (Ein Sof) and be at one with God. In language accessible to the layperson, this Shambhala Guide provides a detailed introduction to the complex world of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. With an extensive background in meditation practice, Perle Besserman emphasizes Kabbalah's spiritual disciplines, grounded in righteous living, devotional practices, and meditation. She discusses the Kabbalistic universe, including the four worlds and ten sefirot; Jewish meditation techniques and instructions for beginning meditation; mystics and teachers from Rabbi Akiva and the Baal Shem Tov to Aryeh Kaplan; the often uneasy relationship between Kabbalah and mainstream Judaism; and incorporating the ancient wisdom of Jewish mysticism to life in the world of today.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 22, 2026
To meet a Jewish mystic is not to open a dusty, rule-bound textbook or master a set of rigid doctrines. It is to step onto a winding mountain road alongside an egoless wanderer—a traveler selling shoelaces and buttons by day, and scaling the cosmic tree by night. Perle Besserman’s Teachings of the Jewish Mystics opens a window into this borderless land of the spirit, where wisdom is not abstract theory, but something embodied in the very texture of living: in the blessing over bread, the laughter of children, and the quiet sanctuary of the woods.
These mystics tread the earth lightly, yet their reach is fearless. Borne aloft by a simple melody or a word that shimmers and weeps, they move between the everyday and the infinite with startling ease. Gathering in quorums of firs and beeches, they scream in silence, court the Sabbath Queen, and rise at midnight to hunt for spiritual food. Their map is the commandments, their light the dazzling spheres of creation, and their language a holy nonsense of riddles, parables, and laughter—a deliberate defiance against the narrow, suffocating cages of the self.
Above all, this tradition insists that there are no formulas or shortcuts—only direct, unmediated encounter. There is no real practice without a living teacher, no teacher without a loving community, and no spirituality worth the name that stays trapped inside the head. It is a tradition passed "from mouth to ear," built on free will, deep fellowship, and souls destined to meet across time.
***
There was once an illiterate cowherd who did not know how to pray, so instead he would say to God: “Master of the Universe, you know that if you had cows and you gave them to me to look after I would do it for nothing, even though I take wages from everyone else. I would do it for you for nothing because I love you.” A certain sage chanced upon him and said, “You fool, you must not pray like that!” The sage set about teaching him the formal order of prayers.
After the sage left, the cowherd soon forgot what he had been taught and ceased praying altogether—afraid to say his usual prayer, yet unable to remember the sage’s words. That night, the sage was reprimanded in a dream and warned that great harm would befall him unless the cowherd returned to his spontaneous prayer, for he had stolen something very precious from God.
Hurrying back, the sage begged the cowherd to forget everything he had taught him: “Go back to your real prayer, exactly as it was before we ever met.”
— Judah the Pietist (trans. Alan Unterman)
***
When a man is continually in a state of joy, he can easily set aside an hour to talk to God with a broken heart and pour out his soul. But when he is depressed, it is nearly impossible to speak openly. Through depression, a man forgets who he really is. Therefore, one must make every effort to be joyous always.
Through joy, you can also give renewed life to another. When someone walks around full of suffering, approaching them with a happy face is no small matter—it is an exceedingly great thing.
Just as dancers snatch up those standing on the sidelines in low spirits and force them into the whirl of the dance, so it is with joy itself. When a person rejoices, depression stands off to the side. You must chase after your depression, drag it into the dance, and force the depression itself to turn into joy.
— Nachman of Bratzlav (trans. Alan Unterman)
These mystics tread the earth lightly, yet their reach is fearless. Borne aloft by a simple melody or a word that shimmers and weeps, they move between the everyday and the infinite with startling ease. Gathering in quorums of firs and beeches, they scream in silence, court the Sabbath Queen, and rise at midnight to hunt for spiritual food. Their map is the commandments, their light the dazzling spheres of creation, and their language a holy nonsense of riddles, parables, and laughter—a deliberate defiance against the narrow, suffocating cages of the self.
Above all, this tradition insists that there are no formulas or shortcuts—only direct, unmediated encounter. There is no real practice without a living teacher, no teacher without a loving community, and no spirituality worth the name that stays trapped inside the head. It is a tradition passed "from mouth to ear," built on free will, deep fellowship, and souls destined to meet across time.
***
There was once an illiterate cowherd who did not know how to pray, so instead he would say to God: “Master of the Universe, you know that if you had cows and you gave them to me to look after I would do it for nothing, even though I take wages from everyone else. I would do it for you for nothing because I love you.” A certain sage chanced upon him and said, “You fool, you must not pray like that!” The sage set about teaching him the formal order of prayers.
After the sage left, the cowherd soon forgot what he had been taught and ceased praying altogether—afraid to say his usual prayer, yet unable to remember the sage’s words. That night, the sage was reprimanded in a dream and warned that great harm would befall him unless the cowherd returned to his spontaneous prayer, for he had stolen something very precious from God.
Hurrying back, the sage begged the cowherd to forget everything he had taught him: “Go back to your real prayer, exactly as it was before we ever met.”
— Judah the Pietist (trans. Alan Unterman)
***
When a man is continually in a state of joy, he can easily set aside an hour to talk to God with a broken heart and pour out his soul. But when he is depressed, it is nearly impossible to speak openly. Through depression, a man forgets who he really is. Therefore, one must make every effort to be joyous always.
Through joy, you can also give renewed life to another. When someone walks around full of suffering, approaching them with a happy face is no small matter—it is an exceedingly great thing.
Just as dancers snatch up those standing on the sidelines in low spirits and force them into the whirl of the dance, so it is with joy itself. When a person rejoices, depression stands off to the side. You must chase after your depression, drag it into the dance, and force the depression itself to turn into joy.
— Nachman of Bratzlav (trans. Alan Unterman)
May 27, 2013
An excellent, pocket-sized collection of poems, prayers, sayings, and stories from Jewish traditions throughout Europe and the Middle East. Selections from the Zohar, the Baal Shem Tov, Martin Buber, Abraham Abulafia, Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov, and many more. Strongly recommended.
October 11, 2017
One of the cutest books in existence. My bible before I read the Bible.
August 27, 2023
An robust and easily understood introduction to Kabballah. Despite its modest size of 146 pages, this piece is filled to the brim with information, and information expertly conveyed at that. I've given up and circled around the topic of Kabballah repeatedly because less skilled authors made it all seem so complicated. Ms. Besserman however, made the rich mystic history of the Jewish people easier to follow, and admire. My copy is a bit bent from reading it at work, although that seems appropriate seeing as how my copy will continue to be well-loved and reached for as my studies continue. Thank you.
September 14, 2024
This book was alright. I feel like it went very deep into very specific methods of achieving spiritual heights, then backed up into the history, with lack of a linear layout. I also think the ideas being spoken about are much too abstract to write about in plain prose and I wish more graphics and direct quotes were used. I think perspectives from practicing Kabbalists would help as well. Maybe Kabbalah just isn't my thing and I am a poor reader, but I did not love this read.
August 6, 2017
Besserman offers a fair breadth of Jewish mystical writings (Kabbalists to Hasidim and more) in a small, easy to pack for travel edition. My only drawback is that she doesn't give the original source references (other than author's name), so unless you know where to look, finding the quote in the original can be tough.
August 6, 2021
This was a thorough, but sterile, historical account of the evolution of Jewish Mysticism. It read mostly like a text book from a college course and seems perhaps better suited for people with scholarly interests in Kabbalah rather than personal interest in practice. The epilogue was the only part where I felt I connected with the author in any meaningful way.
May 29, 2023
Epstein's slim volume offers a history of mystical Judaism, touching on its most noted personages, and offers an account of their various beliefs. This is NOT a guidebook to Jewish mystical thinking or meditation in itself. The prose is a bit dry, but it offers a good overview and possibly an introduction for those who'd want to learn more.
October 29, 2024
Disappointed by this book. Series of excerpts roughly organized by "topic", but no real educational narrative to help understand Jewish mysticism. I don't finish reading it as I didn't find it helpful
January 19, 2020
Wanted to know more about Kabbalah for knowledge's sake and found this book an enlightening read.
December 26, 2021
Some wonderful quotes from rabbis and Jewish thinkers, such as Martin Buber.
March 17, 2008
this is a collection of orally passed down stories. i guess i like it not because i am looking for some familiarity with my religion as a child, but because we too tell stories like this. they are great stories and have "good morals" and some are also twisted. also, i always was teased with this notion that there was this mystical/magical part of my religion (and i still don't believe in g0d) but i was not let into the secret library. currently, i am trying to find the library.
WHERE IS IT?!
WHERE IS IT?!
September 24, 2013
decent introduction to the Kabbalah & it is a fairly short-read. a good "further-reading" bibliographie section. helped me learn a lot. i could see someone describing this book as topical or a general overview of the Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism but i think that would be inaccurate & reductive. for those new to the Kabbalah--as i am--this book is a good demystifying 1st step towards seeking greater knowledge. & it is up to you to do so...
November 5, 2016
A good little anthology that perhaps would have been made richer by employing a wider range of sources/translations. Still, much food for thought and contemplation.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews