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Introduction to the Cabala: Tree of Life

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There are many introductory books published on the Kabbalah. This is one of the best. The fact that the author has also published more advanced texts (e.g. "The Work of the Kabbalist" and "School of Kabbalah") attests to his intimate knowledge of the subject. But, those texts (as well as translations of older ones such as Gikatilla's "Gates of Light") are quite obtuse without a solid background in the basics. Havlevi (a pseudonym for Warren Kenton) has written several entry level books of high quality. This is one of the best, and probably the one to read first. My favorite quotation from this book (I collect quotes) is: "The rabbis have said that the reason for Existence is that it acts as a vast mirror of contemplation by which God may behold God...the Holy One beholds the Holy One through our experience." 1991 edition, p.202

Overall, I think this book is a great overview of the Kabbalistic worldview. The only thing that I think this book could use, is an explanation of the panentheistic worldview behind Kabbalah. I already understand this, but many people do not. Basically, Kabbalah is Jewish Neoplatonism, and this Neoplatonism came by way of the Sufis. Anyone who seriously thinks that Kabbalah goes back to the Old Testament times is in denial. There was Jewish Mysticism in the Old Testament times, and it wasn't Kabbalah. Kabbalah started in the 11th Century AD, and while I think the Neoplatonist/Panentheist worldview is basically the same as that of the Jews who wrote the Old Testament, Kabbalah also is based in the idea of the Platonic, formal or ideal world. If not, then what is the Tree of Life for? What is the point? Why can't Kabbalistic literature give more credit to it's roots in classical philosophy? Is it to try and preserve the romance of the idea that Kabbalah is really 100% Jewish? I don't think the author of this book believes that, but at the same time, he isn't explaining the Platonic worldview which is the whole basis for the tree, either. Is that because Plato, his disciples and the Neoplatonists and their disciples were pagan polytheists and the Jewish tradition is always fearful that Kabbalah will lead to polytheism? I just don't know.

Introduction to the Cabala by Shimon Halevi is a good basic book about the jewish miticism. This is a teorical work with much advice, some hidden for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. I reccomend that the serious student pays particular attention to the study of the sephirots and the Tree Of Life. If tou want to start a serious work in Cabala, this book i s for you.