Customer Reviews

The 72 Names of God: Technology for the Soul

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The 72 Names of God--A Critical Review

This is a paradox for me. This is an important book (which is why I'm reviewing it) but I'm also disturbed by the economic intentions of its producers.

This is a glossy and contemporary coffee-table book. The subject matter, however, shouldn't be presented in a way that would lead anyone to think this is some kind of fad.

I think its main producer (not author) makes several interesting and true statements about how one should approach these Names. One point he unashamedly makes is that it is for everyone (regardless of one's philosophical and behavioral disposition.) I absolutely disagree as have so many credible Kabbalists throughout the past (estimated) 1800 years.

The reason for this is that these "Names" are attached to gates, "forces" that are attracted when one employs the necessary visualization and contemplative techniques. To be sure, this book presupposes that one has some familiarity with the three different types of meditation: visualization, contemplative and verbal.

There's also the interpretation of a few of the Names that is quite controversial. There are varying beliefs about the afterlife within Judaism and especially with the topic of communing with the dead. When this book first came out several years ago, I was one of the first ones to purchase it. I sent Rabbi Berg and The Kabbalah Center an email questioning the interpretation of a Name that allows for necromancy. Their curt response left a lot to be desired.

Apart from these concerns, these are, in fact, the Names that Kabbalists have maintained are the Names for Creation. Many of the Names use the same letters, and are only distinguished by permutation and the expectation that one brings.

This is not a book for everyone. One must attempt to live an upstanding life or the appeals may result in the influences from the Other Side.

Its very difficult to review a book like this. Personal opinion comes into play more than if I was reviewing a cd or a dvd!

Followers of Kabbalah believe that each of the 72 names of G-d relates specifically to an area of your life. (The names were hidden in code in the Torah). It is said that Hebrew / Aramaic was the orginal language spoken by all of mankind (until the Tower of Babel) and whilst we cannot understand the 'names', our souls recognize the letters. (Kabbalah believes strongly in re-incarnation.) Therefore, by meditating on the names, you soul connects with the 'light' and dependant on the name you 'scanned', depends on the improvement you will make in your life.
This book is essentially a 'tool' to enable you to make the connection.
The book is presented beautifully, more like a fashionable coffee table book than a 'spiritual' tool. Some people will have problems with this, but the reality is, this is the 21st Century, and its no doubt a necesesity~in this day and age. How do you want it presented?
A introduction to Kabbalah is included, an explanation of what you are doing, a description of each letter (one name per page) and what to 'think' about whilst meditating on each letter. (Which is important to me as I have difificulty relaxing my mind and trying not to plan my shopping list whilst trying!)

But.... does it actually work?
Well, I am a student of Kabbalah, and I do scan the letters on a regualr basis. Since doing so, I have certainly become more succesful in work, more positive, and happier. Is it as a direct result of this book? I dont know. Is it a result of Kabbalah - yes, definately. Thats either because it's real, or simply because the tools I have learnt have made me a more positive person, like self-help. (What I believe isn't important here)
Whatever reason YOU think, either way its a good thing. So what have you got to lose!!!

I consider myself a rational, thinking, well-read individual. I've read a lot of self-helpish, new agey books, but I'm also quite experienced in the ancient, old world wisdoms as well. After reading the introductory pages ..., I was so impressed, astonished and moved that I had to buy this book. What I discovered in this book was an amazing revelation, and while it took three or four read-throughs before it really sunk in, no other book as so powerfully changed my life. Slowly but surely I am reversing the negative effects of time, stress, regret and ego on my life, and its all thanks to Yehuda Berg and his ability to share this wisdom.

In the introduction to the book, Berg wrote that he collected the information about the 72 names from many books over a long time, as there aren't any, or he couldn't find any, that covers the powers / meanings of all the names - he found explanations about a few of them in each book and collected it all into this one.

Than he does not name any of the books. Even when he writes about finding a second hand book that held the information about the last few names, he does not mention it's name.

I find this hard to accept for two reasons.

The first is that the literal meaning of the word Kabbalah in Hebrew is 'reception' - the wisdom of Kabbalah is to be passed in an unbroken chain, with one's own understanding being far less important. Thus in Kabbalah not listing your sources is not just dishonest [as in not crediting others' work] but is breaking the rules of the very system Berg is teaching.

The second is that there are at least two books that cover the powers / meanings of all the names.

One is Sepher Razi'el haMal'ach (book of the angel Razi'el), which is very well known and contains three such lists. As hard as those are to understand, they still exist, still well known, and should be understandable to someone who is an expert in Kabbalah.

The second is Shorshey haShemot (the roots of names), an encyclopedia of angel & G-d names with various manuscripts, the largest and most prestigious of them attributed to Rav Moshe Zaccuto. This book was published in Hebrew at least five years ago, and I've seen parts of it translated to English about two years ago.

Either Berg is unaware of those two books, or he chose to not give them credit. Both cases sound suspicious to me.

Maybe its me. I just don't get it. It is a nice book. It references the Kabbalah. It has 72 names for God in Hebrew. I can even meditate on each name or it's concept.

The question is why? Use it for daily affirmations or whatever you like, but I don't consider this as any type of reading material if you are interested in the Kabbalah.

I appreciate the author's love for his work, but would have liked to see a little more.

This book is a must for those truly interested in growing spiritually. It is simply written, and comes from the heart. It offers tools that are easy and simple to use. It is useful to both beginners and people who have been involved in spirituality for a long time. By just meditating on the different names, your whole perception of life changes.

This book is the most amazing text yet written in modern times on the study of Kabbalah. If you have studied Kabbalah, you know the power and the influence of the Hebrew letters. Yehuda Berg has written a beautiful and "easy to understand" book that not only gives you an overview of Kabbalah and how it can transform your life and the world around us, but also gives us the "recipes" on how to use the 72 names to eliminate all forms of chaos from our lives. I have studied Kabbalah for five years, and this book has brought me to a new level of understanding. I suggest you read "The Power of Kabbalah", "The Way", and the "Secret" and then save "The 72 Names of God" as the dessert!

I love sitting down with this book. The letters do seem to have a calming effect on me. Believe me, I was highly skeptical when I bought it. The affirmations are really excellent too. Sometimes when things at work get utterly crazy, or life itself gets stressful, looking at this book reminds me to keep things in perspective, not be overly reactive or dramatic, to treat others well, and etc. It encourages finishing projects, seeing the big picture, being environmentally responsible, forgiving, and really, every good trait that a person could have. We know these things, but we need to be reminded. We need to work on them. I have almost worn mine out and will need to order a new one----that's how imperfect I am, but hey, I am working on it!

im not an expert on kabbalah and i just stumbled across it one day but i have to say that after reading, God is a verb, the power of kabbalah and this book, the 72 names of God i have found something that i am passionate about and that makes me truly excited about God. this book has helped me and whether or not it is "kabbalistically accurate" or not has had no affect on the affect it has had on me. personally i loved it and it has instilled in me emotions that i have never felt with catholicisim, and that is coming from a baptized, confirmed, lifelong catholic.

A remarkable book. It presents, in this simple and concise, yet hip and modern guide, the origins of each name and, more importantly, how to apply in the struggles of everyday life. In finding a soul mate, to bring financial prosperity & to alleviate depression and illness.