Hebrew Book of the Dead: In the Wilderness [Paperback]

Zhenya Senyak (Author), Dakota Lane (Editor), Judith Antonelli (Editor), Jonathan Slater (Afterword), Huston Smith (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

The long and troubled journey of the human soul, from the earliest days of creation to reincarnation in the Promised Land, is told in this epic tale of the ancient Hebrews. This vision of trial and sacrifice yields fresh perspectives on the familiar Biblical stories, as the figures, landmarks, and events take on new significance when the actual ancient Hebrew text is translated literally. The result is a transformational reading of the Bible, deeply personal and spiritual. The inevitable struggle of a divine spirit trapped in a body of mud and struggling to become free is enacted against the backdrop of the desert wilderness, a world beyond the sea of ending. The text, threading through the first six books of the Bible, is illuminated by commentary that draws on contemporary linguistic and scientific sources, and traditional Kabbalist sources. Included are original Hebrew text, scriptural citations, a summary, and the Songs of Ascent, a selection of Psalms that mirror the journey of the soul.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"..A powerful parable, a spiritual vision of life read through a lens composed of some key concepts of Kabbalah." -- Rabbi Aryeh Wineman, author, Tales from the Zohar and The Hasidic Parable

"Life will be met and embraced and death transcended in the Hebrew Book of the Dead." -- Rabbi Jonathan Slater, Metivta Spiritual Institute

"To my eyes this is the most original addition to Biblical understanding that I have seen in my lifetime." -- Huston Smith

About the Author

Zhenya Senyak, teacher and author, is the grandson of Rabbi Joseph Levenstein, founder of Tifereth Torah synagogue in Brooklyn. He studied Hebrew and Jewish mysticism with teachers in New York, California, and Jerusalem. He lives in South Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Tiktin Press (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971756015
• ISBN-13: 978-0971756014
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,014,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing Insights to Help Interpret Biblical Text, October 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hebrew Book of the Dead: In the Wilderness (Paperback)

Hebrew Book of the Dead is an exciting way to help "de-code" the biblical text. The book is organized into a series of "bolts of lightening" or "bazakim". Bolt by bolt, the author holds your hand and takes you on the journey from the ancient Hebrew text of the Old Testament, to the literal translation of the text, to the implication of the words, to the meaning of the sentences and finally to the lessons.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into the Torah, September 7, 2003

By 

Donna H, from Falls Church, VA "donna_h1" (Vienna, VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hebrew Book of the Dead: In the Wilderness (Paperback)

I was surprised to find that I am the first reviewer of this book.

I am not a sophisticated student of Torah by any means, but I am interested in esoteric meanings of the torah. This book is predicated on the idea that the Hexateuch hides deep, esoteric knowledge of the journey of the human soul, and that the "Hexateuch's real referent is the nature and destiny of the human soul as these truths body forth in a gripping segment of human history."

I had many "AHA" experiences while reading this book (not surpising, since this book is about "flashes of lightning"), and consider it very valuable in my library. In a review on the back cover, this book is described as "electrifying", and it IS.

The author does not describe ALL the bazakim, but examines a select number in detail. I cannot find any information on the remainder of the bazakim that he DOESN'T discuss. I hope that there will be follow up books that continue to enlighten us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very exciting and accessible, August 24, 2005

By 

A. Bock "downhereinappalacia" (NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hebrew Book of the Dead: In the Wilderness (Paperback)

I've picked up several books on Jewish mystical teachings and this book is by far the most interesting and worth the effort. Senyak is a gifted writer, and I agree with the previous reviewer who used the word "electrifying" along with the "Aha" experience. This book promises and delivers both.