What do you think?
Rate this book
Meditation and Kabbalah
" A lucid in-depth presentation of the meditative techniques and practices used by the ancient Kabbalists.
The Kabbalah is divided into three branches—the theoretical, the meditative, and the magical. While many books, both in Hebrew and English, have explored the theoretical Kabbalah, very little has been published regarding the meditative methods of the various schools of Kabbalah. Aryeh Kaplan’s landmark work, reveals the methodology of the ancient Kabbalists and stresses the meditative techniques that were essential to their discipline, In addition, Meditation and Kabbalah presents relevant portions of such meditative texts "
The Kabbalah is divided into three branches—the theoretical, the meditative, and the magical. While many books, both in Hebrew and English, have explored the theoretical Kabbalah, very little has been published regarding the meditative methods of the various schools of Kabbalah. Aryeh Kaplan’s landmark work, reveals the methodology of the ancient Kabbalists and stresses the meditative techniques that were essential to their discipline, In addition, Meditation and Kabbalah presents relevant portions of such meditative texts "
355 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
131 people are currently reading
901 people want to read
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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 22, 2021
Erudition and education are antithetic; though at times we ponder they are synonymous. Erudition is enlightenment. Meditation and Kabbalah is a Hellenic bequest given to “orbus terrarum” by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Inward we exhume the gold found in meditation by a Rabbi who had knowledge of both physics and Kabbalah.
Stratification comes from three pear blossom bark-like branches in bloom---theoretical, magical and finally meditative. Tools for the tenacious are found inside this rather trite-looking text with mantras, mandalas and the transfixing interpretations that go back and forth akin to revelations found in Halakhic Man by Rabbi Soloveitchik.
“These 32 paths ...in a Kabbalistic sense, wisdom is seen as pure, undifferentiated mind. It is pure thought, which has not yet been broken up into differentiated ideas. Wisdom is the level above all division, where everything is a simple unity.”
---Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Pondering and giving full breath to being in a state of pure undifferentiated mind is light---diploid form. Imagine a globe pulsating, vibrating (existing as a particle/wave) whispering in our ear called Kabbalah yet is only a cloak for the Torah. This simple unity of becoming one---as eight wings meet together---and a lighter spiritual state is gained.
Wisdom within was learned from masters/preceptors revealing the source to be a Prophet. This text is a rocket-ride to consciousness/awareness and return to a virginal state of mind. Radiant gift from a master. The word Kabbalah means to receive via theoretical, magical and meditative methods. Hermetic. Buy, absorb and soar.
Stratification comes from three pear blossom bark-like branches in bloom---theoretical, magical and finally meditative. Tools for the tenacious are found inside this rather trite-looking text with mantras, mandalas and the transfixing interpretations that go back and forth akin to revelations found in Halakhic Man by Rabbi Soloveitchik.
“These 32 paths ...in a Kabbalistic sense, wisdom is seen as pure, undifferentiated mind. It is pure thought, which has not yet been broken up into differentiated ideas. Wisdom is the level above all division, where everything is a simple unity.”
---Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Pondering and giving full breath to being in a state of pure undifferentiated mind is light---diploid form. Imagine a globe pulsating, vibrating (existing as a particle/wave) whispering in our ear called Kabbalah yet is only a cloak for the Torah. This simple unity of becoming one---as eight wings meet together---and a lighter spiritual state is gained.
Wisdom within was learned from masters/preceptors revealing the source to be a Prophet. This text is a rocket-ride to consciousness/awareness and return to a virginal state of mind. Radiant gift from a master. The word Kabbalah means to receive via theoretical, magical and meditative methods. Hermetic. Buy, absorb and soar.
March 18, 2024
unorganized information
Clearly the author has done a tremendous amount of research on the topic but it’s pretty unorganized and difficult to digest. There’s very little in the way of practical instruction and dense passages packed with names places and dates that don’t seem very relevant to modern users. More history of the concept than a practical guide.
Clearly the author has done a tremendous amount of research on the topic but it’s pretty unorganized and difficult to digest. There’s very little in the way of practical instruction and dense passages packed with names places and dates that don’t seem very relevant to modern users. More history of the concept than a practical guide.
January 10, 2014
This is an incredible book. It is so in depth yet it will suck you in. Probably one of the best books I have read on the subject.
February 1, 2022
I found this book to be very helpful in my study of Kabbalah and Meditation as the title suggests. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan is a fantastic guide through some very intricate and detailed subjects. I would recommend any of the books Rabbi Kaplan has written. This is a book that should be read and re-read because as your experience deepens, you will understand more and more of the subject matter.
December 25, 2015
This book changed my life, and was a major reference during the eight years I spent writing The Kabbalah Sutras.
May 11, 2024
An excellent work which, although very parsimonious on the inclusion of detailed primary texts (one must learn the various schools of Kabbalah before eagerly practicing it in a haphazard fashion,) translates for the first time some of Ari's works which still lie hitherto untranslated. Primarily a historiography, Kaplan does well to balance the historical accumulation of the Kabbalistic tradition, with that of emphasizing differences in the ultimate spiritual accumulations. Like the vast majority of Catholic spiritual writings, different objects of contemplation and hieratic ascent beget much different points of emphasis in attaining union with God. The "charity-worker" who feels united with God will view the attributes of God, and the ultimate points of salvation much differently than the perennially beautiful Meister Eckhart; the former lacks a great deal of theoretical precision, and may even be said to pose a stumbling block to those who are naturally or spiritually gifted with an illuminated intellect by nature - whereas those who lack the ability to comprehend mysteries divorced from physical attributes would do poorly by attempting Eckhart's Gelassenheit. In all, this book is an excellent introduction warranting much reading, and should be taken as a demonstration of the differences implicit in the flowering of schools centered around the unio mystica. Trying this book uninitiated into another spiritual tradition will lead to Ego-death or something worse, so do not read this book to "become a Kabbalistic master." Start small with the purgative way, then go from there. I would personally advise that one keeps the injunction of reaching middle-age before practicing Lurianic or Hasidic Kabbalah; work through the Zohar and Abulafia instead.
March 31, 2025
Received this as a surprise gift from a good friend. The best texts usually come to us in this way. They do not force themselves into our purview, nor are they forced into our awareness by the conscious mind. They simply appear from "nothingness."
This is exactly how I would explain this text - a book about nothingness. Not nothingness as a negation, but the nothingness that rests at the ground of conscious awareness, and at the ground of all existence. Not the nothingness of the empty husk, but the nothingness of pure ecstatic bliss.
One of the best books about nothing I have ever read.
This is exactly how I would explain this text - a book about nothingness. Not nothingness as a negation, but the nothingness that rests at the ground of conscious awareness, and at the ground of all existence. Not the nothingness of the empty husk, but the nothingness of pure ecstatic bliss.
One of the best books about nothing I have ever read.
August 15, 2019
This book provides a clear history of the development of Kabbalistic ideas and their ties to the practice of Jewish Meditation. It's clear, interesting read and worthwhile for anybody looking to begin understanding the mystical side of the Jewish tradition.
December 13, 2021
A great source of wisdom for meditation methods, as well as a study of the history of Kabbalah and many of its various sages and rabbis who have provided this knowledge over the centuries since the Spanish banishment.
January 5, 2018
Fascinating and one of my three favorite books of all time. It's not for the faint of heart or the judgmental uneducated on Kosher Torah Kabbalah kind of people.
November 20, 2018
This could've used a bit more actionable information (meditations) and a bit less history/academic background
May 26, 2019
another step towards 3500 year old meditation
August 27, 2024
A very good overview although I think the formatting could have been changed to be more informative.
August 16, 2025
No tiene ni pies ni cabeza ni siquiera sabe redactar un texto
March 20, 2022
If you want some advice on how you can use Jewish meditation in your daily life then try a different book like, "Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide".
WARNING: "Meditation and Kabbalah" is not for the faint of heart. It also requires a considerable background before attempting to read it. You must be able to read some Hebrew and have familiarity with a few basic Hebrew words used in Jewish religious studies. Otherwise you will have no idea what the author is talking about, and your reading of this book will become tedious... that is, if you actually wanted to learn something. I suggest the following books:
o Reading Hebrew: A Programmed Instruction Book
0 The New Bantam-Megiddo Hebrew & English Dictionary
0 Nine and a Half Mystics: The Kabbala Today
o To Pray as a Jew: A Guide to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue Service
Probably the most helpful part of the book is the last section discussing the Hassidim.
Any problems with this book? Yes. The typos are so hideously obvious that one wonders if it was proofread at all prior to publication. Since the author seemed to be otherwise meticulous, it suggests that the typos were placed there on purpose. Why? So that if some knucklehead read the book he wouldn't be able to make proper use of it. Maybe the typos were sort of a test for the reader.
Secondly, I disagree with how some of the Hebrew was transliterated. (If you don't know what transliteration is, do NOT read this book.) Perhaps it was done by design so that only people who can read Hebrew will pronounce the words correctly.
This is my second read of this book. I got a lot out of it.
WARNING: "Meditation and Kabbalah" is not for the faint of heart. It also requires a considerable background before attempting to read it. You must be able to read some Hebrew and have familiarity with a few basic Hebrew words used in Jewish religious studies. Otherwise you will have no idea what the author is talking about, and your reading of this book will become tedious... that is, if you actually wanted to learn something. I suggest the following books:
o Reading Hebrew: A Programmed Instruction Book
0 The New Bantam-Megiddo Hebrew & English Dictionary
0 Nine and a Half Mystics: The Kabbala Today
o To Pray as a Jew: A Guide to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue Service
Probably the most helpful part of the book is the last section discussing the Hassidim.
Any problems with this book? Yes. The typos are so hideously obvious that one wonders if it was proofread at all prior to publication. Since the author seemed to be otherwise meticulous, it suggests that the typos were placed there on purpose. Why? So that if some knucklehead read the book he wouldn't be able to make proper use of it. Maybe the typos were sort of a test for the reader.
Secondly, I disagree with how some of the Hebrew was transliterated. (If you don't know what transliteration is, do NOT read this book.) Perhaps it was done by design so that only people who can read Hebrew will pronounce the words correctly.
This is my second read of this book. I got a lot out of it.
April 6, 2015
Rebbe Kaplan is a true scholar. The breadth of his knowledge on Jewish mysticism is stunning. Meditation and Kabbalah was referred to me by David Chaim Smith when I asked for a book reccommendation on the practical, or "Magical" aspect of Kabbalah.
Read
June 10, 2010opens the mind
March 1, 2024
diferite perioade și Rabini care au contribuit la dezvoltarea Cabalei și abordării ei
May 10, 2017
Can't wait to read it a second time
One of Rabbi Kaplan's is great works. Loaded with sources. Provides a tremendous introduction to different kabalistic concepts.
Planning to begin reading it a second time.
One of Rabbi Kaplan's is great works. Loaded with sources. Provides a tremendous introduction to different kabalistic concepts.
Planning to begin reading it a second time.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews