Customer Reviews

Basic Concepts in Kabbalah

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent source for the beginner as well as the advanced student of Kabbalah. Highly recommended. You will be reading this one over and over there is so much information. For the reasonable price you can't go wrong.

I got the audiobook version of this amazing work and I have to say it is one of my new favorites. Its not so much about the Kabbalah itself as about how to approach the Kabbalah. It covers some of the basic concepts you need to know to start studying the Kabbalah, the attitude, the intent and so on. Although the tree of life and the sephirot are discussed, the student is primarily readied to start a serious lifelong study of the Kabbalah and begin the work of spiritual development.

Although on the surface the title might imply that this is a book only for beginners, I would disagree. It is certainly very appropriate for beginners as it serves to introduce us to the basic concepts in Kabbalah as stated. However, by reading this book over and over it will do more than just that. This book is all about contemplating spiritual terms and thereby expanding our inner vision...our consciousness. There is a spiritual structure that is ever present around us and it is up to our efforts to learn how to see, feel and experience these hidden worlds. Kabbalah is all about attracting the Light that corrects and this book attracts much Light.

'Basic Concepts in Kabbalah' provides the reader with an inner observation of each concept presented for authentic study of Kabbalah. One reading of the book and you'll find yourself returning to these topics and terms again and again -- each time receiving a clearer sense of what already surrounds us, yet only needing us to perceive it.

This book is a good introduction to the Basic Concepts of Kabbalah as taught by Bnei Baruch. The language is as simple as possible, and no simpler. Rav Laitman discusses the purpose and method of Kabbalah, as well as summarizes some of the key concepts from the works of the Ari, Rashbi, Baal HaSulam and Rabash in a way that the new student can understand. There is also a very useful glossary of terms in the chapter entitled "Key Concepts". A good addition to your library if you are a Kabbalah student.

As a beginner in the study of Kabbalah this book meant so much to me. When I moved to more advanced study the concepts stayed with me assisting understanding of spiritual terms and encouraging contemplation of the wisdom of Kabbalah. The Basic Concepts in Kabbalah begins with the beautiful and powerful poem, The Tree of Life, setting the tone for the entire book. In the introduction I saw a depiction of my condition as a part of the stark situation humanity finds itself in, but there also followed a description of the way to resolve each issue that stands between man and the Upper Worlds. The foundation of Kabbalah is explained through the perception, purpose and giving of Kabbalah, these chapters were particularly useful in getting started with my study. If I were to choose the most inspiring, uplifting part of the book it would be the chapter AfterWord to the Zohar. It offered me an understanding and concise description of attaining adhesion with the Creator, just what that means and how to go about arriving at the closest place or state to the Creator that can be obtained. Near the end of the book is the section on key concepts, this is a beautifully enlightening list of things that is in itself an education in Kabbalah. It is, and will be, a reference for me in my study of Kabbalah.

I started this book with eager anticipation hoping for a clear and concise list of Kabbalah's basic concepts. While there is a chapter towards the end of the book devoted specifically to this, I found the mix of simple language and complex concepts used throughout the book didn't really meet the needs of either the beginner to Kabbalah studies or the advanced student. While the language was simplified for beginners, the concepts and terminology were not adequately addressed to provide a solid understanding to a beginner. On the other hand, the concepts familiar to advanced students were presented in such a basic manner that meaningful nuances were not available to the reader at all. Overall, my expectations based on the title were not met, leaving me with a sense of disappointment.

Modern science is a wonderful thing. Using the scientific method man has investigated the world around him and discovered why and how all sorts of things do what they do when observed through our five senses. However, the question of why anything exists at all has not been answered. Kabbalah says this is because we need to develop a sixth sense in order to reveal the answer to this ancient and persistent query. Michael Laitman's Basic Concepts in Kabbalah was written to start the growth of such an additional sense in the reader.