Path of the Kabbalah (Patterns of World Spirituality/Paths) [Paperback]

David Sheinkin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sheinkin brings the full range of his highly respected gifts--as atheologian, psychiatrist, and communicator--to bear in this fine introduction to the Kabbalah."Rabbi Arnold Gelman

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Paragon House (April 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913757691
• ISBN-13: 978-0913757697
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Jewish Texts > Kabbalah

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read to Understand Kabbalah, February 25, 2001

By 

Danielle Rice (San Francisco, Ca ("home" for me is actually Jerusalem, Israel)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Path of the Kabbalah (Patterns of World Spirituality/Paths) (Paperback)

There are a lot of books out there purporting to be able to explain the ancient Jewish mystical teachings called the "Kabbalah" (which means "what has been receievd" in Hebrew). This is a MUST READ for both beginners and advanaced students alike. He describes the concepts of the Kabbalah using basic Jewish "building blocks" of understanding of Hebrew language, theology, Biblical teachings, and Gemmatria. I have not seen any other book which has described Kabbalah in such fine, short, and direct detail as this one does. There is a practical level to this teaching, as well, which David Sheinken provides in developing basic meditations based on these teachings. The source for Sheinken's material is well founded on accepted ancient Jewish teachings from the Midrash, Torah, Oral Tradition (Talmud) and various Jewish commentators. His own teacher was the late Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, who is well regarded in the Orthodox Jewish community, and has himself written extensively on this subject before his untimely death. I highly recommend this book...read it before reading any other..or listening to any other lecture on the subject. It will clarify the entire subject regarding Kabbalah to the reader in a short, concise, and direct "to the point" format.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good and insightful book!, February 8, 2001

By 

"dan_bav" (St.Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Path of the Kabbalah (Patterns of World Spirituality/Paths) (Paperback)

This would be a very good book for those who begin to study Kabbalah. It offers many details on how the written Torah can be translated and it also gives useful insights on some of the Kabbalistic techniques of interpretation of Hebrew text. Although very concise, clear and engaging, the book covers only a few aspects of Kabbalah and leaves many important things out. I would also recommend books by Aryeh Kaplan (in the case if you're really into studying Kabbalah) and for beginners I'd recommend Perle Epstein's Kabbalah - The Way of the Jewish Mystic (this book gives a lot of information on historical background and theory) and rabbi David A. Cooper's God Is a Verb (this book is brilliant and I think women would especially like it). Gershom Scholem's books are also good, though his works tend to be dry and scholarly. If one wants to study Kabbalah seriously I would recommend such authors as rabbi Moshe Luzzatto, rabbi Yehuda Ashlag, rabbi Laibl Wolf and of course, rabbi Aryeh Kaplan.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These are the answers I wanted when I was 5. Finally!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Path of the Kabbalah (Patterns of World Spirituality/Paths) (Paperback)

If you're tired of "you just have to believe it" or "you can't ask those question" while you ponder the questions of God and the Universe you'll find comfort in this book. While it deals with God and science, it feels neither religious or scientific, yet also is both. For someone who comes to it knowling nothing, the presentation communicated with beauty and ease of understanding. While you are given an amazing number of previously elusive answers, you are left inspired to know more. WHile I have delved into the books he suggested as well as others, this remains the most affecting core read. I immediately gave 4 copies away and look forward to discussing the subject with those friends when they are done with the book. Having spent the last 6 years in the Bible Belt it is especially refreshing.