Alchemy and Kabbalah [Paperback]

Gershom Scholem (Author), Klaus Ottmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Newly revised second printing. Translated by KLAUS OTTMANN. A groundbreaking text on alchemy by the leading scholar of Jewish mysticism is presented here for the first time in English translation. Scholem looks critically at the connections between alchemy, the Jewish Kabbalah; its christianized varieties, such as the gold- and rosicrucian mysticisms, and the myth-based psychology of C.G. Jung, and uncovers forgotten alchemical roots embedded in the Kabbalah.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Skillfully translated from the original German ..., Alchemy and Kabbalah is a classic text on alchemy by a leading scholar of Jewish mysticism, now available in English for the first time ... A serious-minded, in-depth metaphysical scrutiny, especially recommended for college-level students of Judaic theology." --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

GERSHOM SCHOLEM (1897-1982) was a noted authority on Jewish mysticism. His scholarly achievements were enormous in the field of Jewish mysticism. No other contemporary writer equaled him in breadth of knowledge, depth of perception, and power of synthesis. Among his numerous publications were MAJOR TRENDS IN JEWISH MYSTICISM; JEWISH GNOSTICISM, MERKABAH MYSTICISM, AND THE TALMUDIC TRADITION; SABBATAI ZEVI, THE MYSTICAL MESSIAH; and KABBALAH.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Spring Publications, Inc.; 1st edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882145665
• ISBN-13: 978-0882145662
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly Jewish approach, August 10, 2006

By 

Gregory Olsen "renaissance man" (San Ramon, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alchemy and Kabbalah (Paperback)

This monograph, traces the documentary history of alchemy as it relates to Jewish kabbalah. Drawing on access to a number of rare manuscripts as well kabbalistic texts available in print form, Scholem traces the penetration of alchemical symbols and practices into the Jewish mystical tradition. He also expounds on the use of kabbalah among medieval Christian alchemists and theosophists. That analysis is incomplete. In part III, he admits that he lacks the resources to do a complete survey. However, he does make some very salient points. The primary one, is the use of "kabbalah" as a marketing term. The appeal of medieval mystical texts were made that much more popular among the Christians, when they included "kabbalah" in the title. He shows that one of the primary foundation texts of western Christian occultism by Cornelius Agrippa really lacked an understanding of the Jewish mystical/magical tradition. The only negative to this text is that is lacks a bibliography. The notes contain complete citations, but it is hard to search for a particular source after the fact. I recommend this text to academic students of the western occult tradition as well as students of Jewish mysticism. This is an academic text, and its primary value to a spiritual seeker is as a catalog of primary texts.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A serious-minded, in-depth metaphysical scrutiny, especially recommended for college-level students of Judaic theology, April 7, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alchemy and Kabbalah (Paperback)

Skillfully translated from the original German by Klaus Ottmann, Alchemy and Kabbalah is a classic text on alchemy by a leading scholar of Jewish mysticism, now available in English for the first time. Chapters delve into minute detail, critically examining transformations of the Jewish Kabbalah into "Christianized forms", from its rosicrucian mysticisms to long-forgotten alchemical roots hidden deep within the Kabbalah. A serious-minded, in-depth metaphysical scrutiny, especially recommended for college-level students of Judaic theology.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting, November 28, 2009

By 

Rosatto (Spain) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Alchemy and Kabbalah (Paperback)

This book could be summarized as follows:
The mystical disciplines of Alchemy and Kabbalah do not share the same origin, and we know it because their symbolic systems (in their oldest form) are incompatible. However, given the seeming superposition of their aims, many alchemists and kabbalists have attempted their conciliation throughout history.

It is a short book. Too short indeed. It reads as if written on the back of a business card. But, in typical Scholem style, there is not a word wasted. It is completely filled will bibliographical detail (check the other reviews about this), names of historical figures, book titles, etc. Dr. Scholem even manages to squeeze in an anecdote about a Moroccian Alchemy codex that is now lost.

This is a work of scholarship, and very good at that. But it is certainly not an easy book. It is not about Alchemy or Kabbalah, but their relationship. Its goal is to make the point I summarized above, and that is it.

I would have liked some more illustration of the topics discussed, and certainly more quotations from original sources. Of course, they are not strictly necessary for the purpose of the book. Just for my education.