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Inner Space: Introduction to Kabbalah, Meditation and Prophecy

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Inner Space was based on a series of classes that Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan gave to a small group of students in Brooklyn in 198l. To delve into the spiritual dimension is not an easy one, but for Kaplan he was one of the most gifted and knowledgable men to address Jewish mysticism. This is a rather pop subject having been made so by Madonna and friends. Many such books can be found dotted within the Judaica section of bookstores, but as indicated above few are written by such a gifted author.The amount of misinformation is staggering according to the author and he wanted to give the reader a view of the hidden worlds and how they relate to us in human experience. Although the topics of the various universes, Sefirot, meditation and prophecy are difficult to grasp, few people in recent times could explain them better than Rabbi Kaplan. While alive he wrote some forty books, all of them exceedingly popular for those of us who look for authentic Kabbalah. This is one book that should definitely be purchased by the serious student of Jewish mysticism.

"Inner Space" is highly recommended for those seeking an introduction to authentic kabbalah. It contains transcripts of a series of lectures on the kabbalistic system given by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, a great teacher of the previous generation, and it testifies to his wonderful ability to transmit profound ideas in a readily-graspable way. Although this is an introductory text, it contains many perspectives that are expressed in a unique way, so it would be quite valuable even for the more advanced student of Jewish mysticism.

"Inner Space" was edited and annotated by Rabbi Avraham Sutton, a disciple of Rabbi Kaplan who has become a great teacher of the inner Jewish traditions in his own right. Today he teaches in Jerusalem, where I merited to meet him, and was deeply impressed by his humility, generosity, kindness, and Torah learning.

I spent many years avoiding the popular books on the Kabbalah since I was not informed enough to make a judgment on various publications. This book was recommended by a Rabbi who is well versed in the Tradition. Thus, I expected an accurate description of the Kabbalah, but I did not expect such a well written and engaging book. The work had a good mix of technical terms in Hebrew with nice explanations in English. I would recommend this for anyone who wants an accurate review of the Mystical Tradition represented by the Kabbalah.

One should study Kabbalah according to the classical sources only when one has already learned Torah and Mishnah and Gemarah and reached the age of forty. I once learned with a great Talmid Chacham who whenever he was asked about the Kabbalah would say that he had never studied it, and therefore could not answer. This is all to differentiate the traditional Jewish reservation before the study of Kabbalah and the wave of popular Kabbalah study which seems to involve many other kinds of things.
Aryeh Kaplan was a great teacher who had a masterful ability to understand and make clear very difficult concepts. In this work he introduces the reader to the Kabbalah to the Sefirot, and then in the second section of the work writes of another difficult subject Meditation and Prophecy. Kaplan's great learning is evident throughout the work and it is highly readable, a great introduction to a most difficult subject matter. I myself however did not feel I was really in the reading mastering the material properly. But then I am not so high in the world of learning, and am not the best example.

This book is divided into two parts. 1. Introduction to Kabbalah, 2. Meditation & Prophecy. There are a total of 183 pages devoted to all the information you need to get you on the correct path of understanding the foundations of Kabbalah. Pages 185-231 contain all of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplin's NOTES for each chapter in the book of Part I and also for Part II Meditation & Prophecy.

The second part of the book also contains a series of lectures on the Merkavah; the 1st Chapter of the book of Ezekiel with explanations of the meditation process and experience. This is an excellent study in itself.

The new student will have a jump start with this wonderfully presented inspiring book. Even the advanced student will benefit by this book as well. The NOTES alone by Rabbi Kaplan are priceless! This is a great study book full of golden nuggets!

As a new convert to Judaism, I am unfamiliar with most aspects of spiritual levels of the Kaballah. I find this book to be a revelation to me; a starting point for a lifetime of study. This is a very detailed series of lectures given by Aryeh Kaplan prior to his death. He weaves basic Torah teachings with 5th dimensional insight to prophesy and a basic understnding of the Purpose of man and his importance to Hashem. Kaplan does this effortlessly by using everyday examples to explain the visions and wisdom of the sages.

For the real inquisitive and challanged mind. If you want to know about creation, this is where to look. Very interesting.

This is the best book in English explaining the bsics of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. It is not an easy read, but then, Kabbalah is certainly not an easy subject. Rabbi Kaplan has an incredible talent for explaining the most difficult and esoteric concepts in language that is comprehensible to beginners and advanced alike. This is required reading for anyone interested in knowing the authentic Jewish understanding of Kabbalah.

If you're looking for a concise handbook geared towards those unfamiliar with the beliefs, practices, and guidelines of Orthodox Judaism, you should try The Outsider's Guide To Orthodox Judaism It's a great gift for your "outsider" friend, boss, or coworker.

For a book on insights and thoughts on the Torah try Deep Waters: Insights Into The Five Books Of Moses And The Jewish Holidays

If you are into the kabalistic texts and have a desire to get a real clear image of what it is about
and in some ways how to work with it, this book is very accurate and thought through on many levels.

Go for it, you won't regret this buy,
Michael