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Inner Space: Introduction to Kabbalah, Meditation and Prophecy
Among the topics discussed in the first part of Innerspace are the Kabbalistic universes through which we may draw close to G-d, the constant interplay between the spiritual and the physical, and the concept of Divine Providence. In Part Two, Rabbi Kaplan explores the text of Ezekiel's "Vision of the Chariot". He reveals that all prophecy stems from meditation and details the training a prophet undergoes.(254 Pages)
Hardcover
First published June 1, 1991
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About the author
Aryeh Kaplan
95 books122 followersBorn in New York City.
Rabbi and Physicist.
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan ZT"L was a world-well-known author. In his short lifetime he wrote over over 50 books. He was born in the Bronx, New York City, and studied to the local Yeshiva. He later continued his training at different Yeshivot in Israel. As a graduate student, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan was described in a scientific "Who's Who" as the most promising young physicist in America. When he decided to devote his overflowing heart and massive intellect to the writing and teaching of traditional Torah values, the Jewish people gained a prolific and brilliant expositor with the uncommon gift of analyzing and presenting the most complex ideas in accessible terms. And when he passed away suddenly at the age of 48 with decades of productive activity still ahead of him, Jewry lost a priceless, irreplaceable treasure.
Aryeh Kaplan left a legacy of the thousands of people whom he touched and elevated, and of the scores of books and papers that flowed from his pen. "The Aryeh Kaplan Reader" is a collection of his essays reflecting the broad range of his interest and genius. From biography to Kabbalah, from contemporary movements to cosmic speculation, Aryeh Kaplan was at home. His writing is original and incisive. But most of all, it is always clear and to the point. Every appetite for Jewish themes will be whetted and satisfied by this book. True, to read this collection is to feel a keen sense of loss at the premature passing of a bright star in the Jewish literary firmament. But it is an intensely satisfying experience as well, because this book is crammed with substance and enlightenment. We put it down enriched by the intellectual company of Aryeh Kaplan, and grateful for this "gift he left behind. He died in 1983 at the young age of 48 years. May his memory be for a blessing.
http://www.sephardicstudies.org/kapla...
Rabbi and Physicist.
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan ZT"L was a world-well-known author. In his short lifetime he wrote over over 50 books. He was born in the Bronx, New York City, and studied to the local Yeshiva. He later continued his training at different Yeshivot in Israel. As a graduate student, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan was described in a scientific "Who's Who" as the most promising young physicist in America. When he decided to devote his overflowing heart and massive intellect to the writing and teaching of traditional Torah values, the Jewish people gained a prolific and brilliant expositor with the uncommon gift of analyzing and presenting the most complex ideas in accessible terms. And when he passed away suddenly at the age of 48 with decades of productive activity still ahead of him, Jewry lost a priceless, irreplaceable treasure.
Aryeh Kaplan left a legacy of the thousands of people whom he touched and elevated, and of the scores of books and papers that flowed from his pen. "The Aryeh Kaplan Reader" is a collection of his essays reflecting the broad range of his interest and genius. From biography to Kabbalah, from contemporary movements to cosmic speculation, Aryeh Kaplan was at home. His writing is original and incisive. But most of all, it is always clear and to the point. Every appetite for Jewish themes will be whetted and satisfied by this book. True, to read this collection is to feel a keen sense of loss at the premature passing of a bright star in the Jewish literary firmament. But it is an intensely satisfying experience as well, because this book is crammed with substance and enlightenment. We put it down enriched by the intellectual company of Aryeh Kaplan, and grateful for this "gift he left behind. He died in 1983 at the young age of 48 years. May his memory be for a blessing.
http://www.sephardicstudies.org/kapla...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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November 6, 2020I decided to read this because I read an article complaining that it had too many computer metaphors. I also really like Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's books in general, and his translations as well, but that article pushed this book up in the priority queue :) I put Innerspace on my wishlist and I got it as a present from Laura לאה and I am really grateful for that!! Thank you!
Innerspace is really two books in one. (Note: my edition has no space in the title.) The first part is an overview of traditional Jewish Kabbalah, and the second part is a commentary on the first chapter of the book of Yechezkel. Both of these sections were edited from his lectures, but also, he'd written outlines and notes for them, which gave an idea of how he imagined the lectures as a book. The book itself was only published after his very early and untimely passing.
I thought both sections had very clear explanations and I personally really appreciated the modern analogies too. There wasn't an overbearing amount of them. I've also seen this book described as some kind of New Age tome, which really misses the point, this is a mainstream Orthodox Jewish book with no particularly outlandish ideas about Kabbalah. Nothing in it was really "out there" for me and it was mostly a restatement of things I'd already learned in Orthodox contexts, but it was all VERY clearly stated, and this book clarified some confusing spots for me that I hadn't even realized I'd been confused about.
I wish I'd had this book as a teen, because it ties a lot of disparate topics together really well, and it would have been great to have around. It is maybe a bit too dense for an introductory book - I could not read it in one sitting, my brain would have melted -, but it could be great as a second book on the topic + a reference book to have around, it has a thorough bibliography too. (For an introductory book, hmm, maybe The Thirteen-Petalled Rose by Rabbi Steinsaltz?)
_____
Source of the book: Gift from my wishlist bought by Laura לאה
Innerspace is really two books in one. (Note: my edition has no space in the title.) The first part is an overview of traditional Jewish Kabbalah, and the second part is a commentary on the first chapter of the book of Yechezkel. Both of these sections were edited from his lectures, but also, he'd written outlines and notes for them, which gave an idea of how he imagined the lectures as a book. The book itself was only published after his very early and untimely passing.
I thought both sections had very clear explanations and I personally really appreciated the modern analogies too. There wasn't an overbearing amount of them. I've also seen this book described as some kind of New Age tome, which really misses the point, this is a mainstream Orthodox Jewish book with no particularly outlandish ideas about Kabbalah. Nothing in it was really "out there" for me and it was mostly a restatement of things I'd already learned in Orthodox contexts, but it was all VERY clearly stated, and this book clarified some confusing spots for me that I hadn't even realized I'd been confused about.
I wish I'd had this book as a teen, because it ties a lot of disparate topics together really well, and it would have been great to have around. It is maybe a bit too dense for an introductory book - I could not read it in one sitting, my brain would have melted -, but it could be great as a second book on the topic + a reference book to have around, it has a thorough bibliography too. (For an introductory book, hmm, maybe The Thirteen-Petalled Rose by Rabbi Steinsaltz?)
_____
Source of the book: Gift from my wishlist bought by Laura לאה
June 4, 2009
Aryeh Kaplan's introduction to Jewish Kabbalah and Prophecy is the most beautiful and spiritual presentation of the subject I have ever read. He also has an amazing ability to present very complex topics in a comprehensible way. Furthermore, the work is very scholarly, with all statements cited and referenced, with occasional further explanation in the Notes.
May 7, 2025
[Caution]: this is a very advanced book for people non familiar with the Torah. I recommend 5-10+ years to studying Torah, the sciences, medicine, the body and more. It can be very destructive to the individual if rushed and used in the wrong hands. If anyone told me they want to read this as fast as possible I would tell them to learn more and come back later because they wouldn’t get it. Not only was this book written with extreme depth but it is applicable allowing the reader to ponder, contemplate, and move with the divine wisdom of the Torah written by God (as well as sections from The Holy Zohar). This book has a lot of valuable insights but, like anything, models are just models. You must test and practice them for yourself (with the right safety supervision) to get the benefits. I believe that while this book is a compilation first taught to Jews, people who follow different faiths can also greatly benefit. Who knows.
July 9, 2017
Better get off your Crowley, DuQuette, Rankine or what have you for later and start out with Kaplan's "Inner Space" if you want to have a relly good, thoughtfull and in depth introduction to Kabbalah. This one gives you more than many many other books of this kind a glimbse behind the veil and shows you the really intricate complexities of the tree of live, the four worlds, the soul and their interconnectedness to the Torah as well as some practical aspects. Mandatory reading, especially for those dabbling occultists...
September 6, 2017
Rabbi Kaplan's little book is the one that provided me with proper introduction to this subject, after a fair amount of stumbling and frustration. Many a other introductory work is either too limited, or too focused on Kabbalah's profane history and so on. This book, however, is very near to perfect. Eminently understandable and elegant, not to mention author's remarkable mastery for allegorical explanations. Going back to it years later, one cannot help but be impressed with it as a pure achievement.
January 5, 2018
The best intro to Kabbalah out there. Laid out in a orderly and thorough format. It's a must read for any Kabbalah student.
January 15, 2015
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan is one of the two authors who inspire me to be a better Jew, every time I read their material. This book is an enjoyable introduction to kabbalah. Rabbi Kaplan makes esoteric ideas understandable. Very worthwhile read.
May 12, 2015
I got what I wanted out of this book.
July 6, 2024
didn't finish it all, i read only the theoretical part, it was amazing even if it was complex and complicated at times
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews