Customer Reviews

Kabbalah: An Introduction and Illumination for the World Today (Quest Books)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Having studied Kabbalah for 20 years, I find this book to be a masterful blend of solid Jewish mystical theology and a insightful presentation of the more traditional occult views of the Kabbalah. The book is beautifully illustrated with sumptuous prints from the Renaissance and later kabbalistic treatises. The only negative point is his continual quoting of Mathers' Kabbalah Unveiled, which has been well superceded by the writings of Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight and Paul Foster Case. Highly recommended as an adjunct to the works of Gershom Scholem, Carlo Suarez, Louis Ginsberg. and Aryeh Kaplan.

I have read my lot of works about the Kabbalah (Kabala,Kabalah, Kabballah, Qabbalah, however you want to spell it), but noneis like Charles Poncé's work that is the subject of this review. Thebest part of this book is that Poncé opens with a full history ofJewish literature and mystic and Rabbin traditional writings. This -ashe says himself- had never been done before. For full account, I'mtalking about the following works: Talmud, Misjnàh, Gemaràh, Midràsj,Halachàh and Agadàh (forgive me if the English equivalents are writtendifferently). Given are explanations to what books and tradition theseterm refer and a brief history and description of the Jewishstreamings that are associated with them. Lengthy chapters about theSephen Jetsiràh, Zohar and shorter parts about 'less important'books. Clear information about the two forms of Kabbalism (practical,speculative), the links that can be made with astrology, the tarot,eastern philosophies. Of course explanation of the Hebrew alphabet andgematria, variations of the Sephirothic tree, explanations of theSephira, different views and variations of combinations. Then there isa large part about Kabbalistic teachings and doctrines and to closeoff Kabbalism in modern times. All the information you need to havefor a proper start with Kabbalism and a descent supplement for thosewho already work with the Kabbalah for some time. And that is arelative small book. Last point to mention (but not the least): thereare a lot of pictures in this book! ...

I am an [independent] Rosicrucian seeker, and tend to be very visual, as well as inspired by prose and poetry -- so, I very much appreciate the Inspiration of the Tree-of-Life and its Spheres and Paths. However, even the Western Esoteric [Tree-of-Life centered] Qabalah -- such as presented so well by Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight and Alan Richardson -- is an off-spring of Jewish Tradition, as well as various other Western Esoteric influences. Kabbalah is, indeed, much more than just the Tree-of-Life so well-known to general seekers.

So, I have a double appreciation of this very interesting "introduction and illumination for the world today". Charles Ponce succeeds well in a good introduction to the roots, trunk and limbs of Traditional Mystical Jewish Kabbalah -- from early historical Hebrew and Biblical roots thru the Medieval Golden Age of Kabbalah into an illustrated comparison with other Western Esoteric tradition and with some parallel Eastern tradition.

Of course, the CLEAR writting style of the author -- with MANY quotes, charts and pictures, in a rational reflective unfolding -- helps to make this book a pleasure to read, in order and out of order, for inspiration. That, with some deep inspiration via low slow mellow navel inhalation, and some Divine Grace, may help Grow a Rose on your Cross +++

Ponce does a great job of outlining the history, tenets and traditions of Kabbalah. His descriptions, liberal use of illustrations and old symbolic drawings from the last 500 years, as well as the ease of the writing make the base information approachable for any reader. What I found most interesting, however, was the final section of the book on Kabbalah today, where Ponce approaches an analysis of Kabbalah in a theosophic way - comparing it to other traditions like Native American, Hindu and Buddhist - showing the common themes and roots among them, and the relevance of Kabbalah to any sincere seeker. This analysis and discussion alone is worth picking up the book to read - and the rest is real good too.

This book offers the reader an extremely indepth look at the Kabbalah system. It covers the a wide range of topics: En-Sof, Death, the Ten Sefiroth, the Soul. More than most books I've come across. It is also chocked full of illustrations. It's only fault is not delving deeper into the tree of life. That would have made it 5 stars.