Customer Reviews

Path of the Kabbalah (Patterns of World Spirituality/Paths)

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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.

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.

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.

Path of the Kabbalah by David Sheinkin is an EXCELLENT starter book for anyone just starting on their kabbalistic path. The author covers the basics of Sacred Metaphysics to Meditative Exercises. I simply cannot say enough good things about this little book :).

Kaballah is infamous for being cryptic and hard to understand but David Sheinkin actually makes it all make sense. He is able to logically unify science and the torah so as they are actually consistent with each other. Wonderful!!! This is a wonderful introduction to Jewish Mysticism. Gotta read it, and you dont have to be religious to like it.

I have an older edition of this book and I must say it is one of the most easy-to-understand books on the subject. I love the explanation of the sections of Genesis (in the Bible) as it compares to the original Torah and why changes were made. It answers those questions that us Non-Jewish had, that our priests and ministers couldn't answer,as to why there seems to be contradictions (which really don't exist) between the different verses. It may not be the most complete book on the subject but it will enlighten you more than a lot of the newer books on the subject.

There are a lot of reviews of this book..I'll just say it's the best book on Kabbalah that I've come across. It's amazing how much ground he covers in such a short book--all substance and no fluff! If you have any interest at all GET THIS BOOK--it's worth every penny!!

It is beautifully written and holds astonishing information from non-religious standpoints as well. Excellent if you just wish to be informed on this area of mysticism/religion though you'll probably be drawn in to read much much more on the subject. Next book suggestion...Aryeh Kaplan Sepher Zefirot (Book of Creation)

Very good a joy to read very interesting world. Spiritual to bad he died in a plane crash (the author that is)

I first saw this book in the TAMU Library in 1987, a year after it was published. I checked it out & it was the first & BEST book I have read concerning the Kaballah. It opens the door to understanding like no other. Sheinkin has a way to just transfer this knowledge in a simplistic manner, be it from a story, parable, or direct explanation. The editor- Edward Hoffman also notes that Sheinkin excelled in how he could convey things easily to others. I have a copy of the original red cover 1986 edition, as well as the newer purple cover edition (of which I have loaned out to a church member who upon starting it, said Wow! It is so profound!. And it was Hoffman's 'The Way of Splendor' which was my second book on the Kaballah. If you should want, you can always check your local library & read both first, but then I am sure you will want to buy your own copy of both so you can have them handy. You'll be glad you did.