The Kabbalah Tree: A Journey of Balance & Growth [Paperback]

Rachel Pollack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2004

Kabbalahs most famous symbol, the Tree of Life, has become the organising principle behind our human efforts to understand the world. Using Herman Haindls lush depiction of the Tree of Life, Rachel Pollack examines the message behind this ancient symbol and draws upon unusual sources including shamanism, tarot interpreters, contemporary Kabbalists and modern science, to explore the Trees meaning.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tied closely to an intricate painting by Hermann Haindl, this comprehensive look at the tradition of the Tree of Life is part art extrapolation, part multi-denominational history. The "journey of balance and growth" refers as much to the painting itself and the growth of the artist as to the spread of the mythology of the Tree in a multitude of cultures. After barely surviving a WWII prison camp, young Haindl returned to Germany and became a stage designer and theatre director. His artistic prowess gained enough recognition that Golda Meir commissioned him to paint an enormous mural commemorating the 25th anniversary of Israel. Soon after, he embarked on a quest to merge spirituality and art, the result of which led to a fascination with both the Tarot and the Kabbalah. Pollack and Haindl met when she was asked to write a text to accompany his now-famed Tarot deck. This, their second collaboration, makes for a detailed yet interesting read. Well organized and copiously referenced, Pollack does a fine job of combining the Jewish, Western and Christian traditions associated with the Kabbalah Tree of Life. Particularly well done are the chapters describing in detail the 10 sephiroth, or "divine emanations." Along with a handful of line drawings, the included poster of Haindl's painting becomes integral for a true understanding of the connections within the tree. Though not recommended for Jewish traditionalists, anyone searching for a multicultural approach to the Kabbalah will not be disappointed.
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About the Author

Rachel  is considered one of the World’s foremost authorities on the modern interpretation of the Tarot. She is also a poet, an award-winning novelist, and a Tarot card and comic book artist. She has published 12 books on the Tarot, including 78 Degrees of Wisdom (Thorsons, 1998), considered a modern classic and “the Bible of Tarot reading.” Its’ marriage of common sense, wide-ranging knowledge, and esoteric awareness have inspired many tens of thousands of readers worldwide to a deeper knowledge of the Tarot.

She is a member of the American Tarot Association, the International Tarot Society, and the Tarot Guild of Australia. With fellow Tarot author Mary Greer, she has taught at the famed Omega Institute for the past twelve years. She has been conferred the title of “Tarot Grand Master” by the Tarot Certification Board, an independent body located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As a fiction writer, Pollack has been bestowed many honors and awards, among them the famed Arthur C. Clarke Award for Science Fiction (for Unquenchable Fire) and the World Fantasy Award (for Godmother Night). She is a recommended member of PEN International, and has written for numerous publications.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; Book and Access edition (June 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738705071
• ISBN-13: 978-0738705071
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'The Kabbalah Tree' reviewed, June 15, 2004

By 

aleksei green (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kabbalah Tree: A Journey of Balance & Growth (Paperback)

Rachel Pollack has long been one of my favorite writers. I have admired her authorship in so many different categories: tarot books, tarot cards, Arthur C. Clarke award winning science fiction novels, comic books and a mystery novel. Now she turns her attention to the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah. Kabbalah has filled many of her works for years. She had Kabbalist themes in her DOOM PATROL comic stories. In her first full book on the subject of Kabbalah she draws from many sources for inspiration: Judaism, shamanism, Jungian psychology and most intriguing the world of comic books. I read this magical book in one sitting and am still absorbing it's words. I intend to reread it again and again. I would heartely recommend this book to people of all spiritual traditions whether Jewish, Christian, wiccan, Buddhist, feminist spirituality or the unclassified. The faddish, cultish image of Hollywood 'kabbalah' disturbs me. This book has readdressed the balance for positive books on Kabbalah. And I endorse Rachel Pollack's wonderful tarot deck THE SHINING TRIBE TAROT. THE SHINING TRIBE TAROT is a continual source of inspiration to me.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From tarot to kabbalah, February 26, 2005

By 

Avi (Tel Aviv, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kabbalah Tree: A Journey of Balance & Growth (Paperback)

Rachel Pollack is a wonderful human being who lets much love and truth into our planet. I agree with the other reviewer who called her a great rabbi. Her teachings transcend the boundaries of patriarchal thought. I find The Kabbalah Tree to be equal to the works of Rabbi Nachman of Bratislav. When I hear about kabbalah being called a fad and compared with Dianetics I really dispare. The teachings of Kabbalah are a great blessing from Judaism to the entire planet. One does not have to wear a kabbalah string on their wrist or drink socalled kabbalah water' as some snake oil salesmen are selling. Kabbalah is a truth which can have profound healing for Gaia. Thank you Ms. Pollack for writing this healing, inspiring fullfilling book. SHALOM.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rachel Pollack's magical THE KABBALAH TREE, December 2, 2004

By 

Janet (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kabbalah Tree: A Journey of Balance & Growth (Paperback)

This is my favorite work on the ancient Jewish mystical Kabbalah. Rachel Pollack has written a book that will appeal to people who have studied the Kabbalah for years and for newcomers to the subject. She has always put a unique take to the mystical tarot and does the same here on the Kabbalah. This book will make a superb Hannukah gift for Jews and a superb Christmas gift to metaphysical Christians. kabbalah is truly a life affirming philosophy drawn from Judaic traditions.