Customer Reviews

Alchemy and Kabbalah

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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.

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.

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.

For those interested in Alchemy and Kabbalah, and the role of manuscript illumination, this is a good read. We note here how the tradition has been protected throughout the ages, and how it comes to us today in the form of Septuagint, Torah, Dead Sea Scrolls, Copper Scrolls, various codexes, Golden Haggadah, and the ketubah. Serious religous and biblical scholars as well as chemists studying ancient traditions of color on paper, gold chemistry, and art scholars are encouraged to learn and read about the historical and modern application of such techniques.

Interesting book. Filled with information and written like a private conversation with your favorite college professor. Not so dense and intellectual that you can't understand, but not dumbed down so much that you feel bored. Well written, well read.

This is an amazing book full of knowledge
Must have if you are interested in the subject