Customer Reviews

Kabbalistic Writings on the Nature of Feminine and Masculine

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As a Kabbalah student with around 5 years of experience, I found much to appreciate in this book that was brand new for me. This is the first time I have been introduced to Kabbalah as "the science of correspondences." I have always used the translation "to receive." The gradual and sometimes overwhelming receiving of divine light, understanding, and wisdom has always been my experience as a student. I found the Tree of Life chart and its correspondences with the 6 archetypal personages on pages 19 and 26, along with the Concise Table of Kabbalistic Terms and Correspondences on page 25, to be very useful in understanding Kabbalah as both "receiving" and "the science of correspondences." I also very much appreciated the author's reminder on page 23 that "Kabbalah forces its disciples to keep their minds nimble, for each circumstance is unique and there is never a pat answer."

This book's main theme is the correspondence of the sun with all things masculine and the moon with all things feminine. The discussion of woman's 7 step process of maturation in the context of marriage is very enlightening. The chapter with the provocative title "Disparities of Gender are the Cause of Evil" introduced the concept of linear worlds and circular worlds. It was derived from a teaching by Rabbi Shlomo Elyashev called "The Diminshed Moon", and it will definitely require a few additional readings to appreciate all of its subtleties.

In reading this book, I always had the feeling that I was being guided by a true scholar. The rabbinical biographies, the bibliography, and the glossary at the conclusion of the book demonstrate wide ranging and authentic sources of teachings. I recommend this book to all aspiring students of Kabbalah.