The Secret History of the Zohar

by Michael Berg

Michael Berg’s overview of the Zohar is a virtual timeline showing its connection with great historical figures and events throughout time. He addresses the myths surrounding this sacred work, and covers who first revealed it, who wrote it down, and who studied it — not just Jewish scholars, but Plato, Sir Isaac Newton, the Knights Templar, and other inquisitive thinkers. Berg clearly demonstrates the profound influence Zohar and Kabbalah have had on all the major disciplines, from literature and art to medicine and science.

Genres: Spirituality

144 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2008

About the author

Rabbi Michael Berg (born June 29, 1973) is the co-director of the Kabbalah Centre, alongside his mother Karen Berg. He is the son of Philip Berg, the founder of the Kabbalah Centre. Michael edited an unabridged English translation of the Zohar. He is also a cofounder of Raising Malawi.

Michael Berg is the author of several books on Kabbalah. Included among them are Secrets of The Zohar, Becoming Like God, The Way, The Secret, Well of Life, What God Meant, and Days of Connection.

In 2010, Michael launched an online learning platform called UKabbalah aimed at making the study of Kabbalah more accessible to the wider public.

Reviews

[Rob Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fine introduction to the history of the Zohar, the quintessential document of Kabbalah (the visionary tradition within Judaism). It includes biographies of the people who first recorded -- and then transmitted -- this amazing text from the 2nd century CE to the present day. This is a great read for anyone interested in interfaith relations and how different communities of faith can mutually influence and learn from each other.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although illuminating, it could have been edited better. And the content could have easily been expanded to include what specific parts of the Zohar influenced who and what it meant to them etc. I might be biased because other Kabbalah books are extraordinary and stellar. This one just isn't up there at those levels for me. But it's okay. It's nice to know how the Zohar moved throughout history and whom it touched.

[Nadia Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enlightening truth, where the exploration of the Zohar had monumental impact on so many throughout history. Thus helping to shape the world and the way of thinking as we know it. This is a must read. If you were skeptical about what Kabbalah is all about this short book outlining the historical influence the Zohar had on many famous icons, such as Isaac Newton, Pythagorus, many famous Rabbi's including Jesus himself will help bring you to a better understanding. This book will enlighten all and even if you were just curious about some of the ideology discussed in the Zohar this book helps bring light to those questions. I had wondered after hearing many times that people like Michelangelo and Plato used Kabbalistic principles as the foundation of thought for their discoveries, it had raised a brow, but now I feel like I have a complete picture of the profoundness of not just spiritual but scientific and mathematic correlations these sources came up with from their study of the Zohar itself.

[Carlos Effio · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to this book. I wish more people could get their hands on it. This book has the power to get the ball rolling.