The Practical Kabbalah Guidebook [Paperback]

C.J.M. Hopking (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2001

Ancient and mystical, Kabbalah plunges deep into the fundamental questions of existence: who we are and why we are on this Earth--which accounts for its renewed and widespread popularity with those from many religions and sacred paths. According to Jewish lore, God first taught the Angels, and Kabbalah's wisdom has influenced Christianity, sects such as the Rosicrucians, and even tarot and astrology. Make this system of knowledge and spiritual enrichment work for you, using this lushly illustrated and beautifully charted guidebook. Kabbalah's history and most profound secrets, from the multiple meanings of the Tree of Life to the steps on the Ladder of Light, unfold one by one. Many universes open up to you: Assiah, World of Experience; Yetzirah, World of Consciousness; Briah, World of Mind; Atziluth, World of Insight; and still more. Practical exercises such as meditations, chants, affirmations, and journal writing accompany the explanations and will immeasurably increase your understanding and spiritual well-being.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Don't be fooled by the glitzy look of this Kabbalah "primer." Like the star appeal of this rediscovered mystical path, followed today by numerous celebrities, it attempts to win readers over with its 128 glossy, full-color pages. But from the opening chapter, its jumble of traditions, poor writing, stark inaccuracies and small type suggesting that the text is less important than the accompanying illustrations should telegraph a warning to readers. In his introduction, Hopking distinguishes between the Judaic (Kabbalah), Christian (Cabala) and Western (Qabalah) mystery traditions, using the best-known image, the Tree of Life, and a derivative image, the Ladder of Light, but frequently leaves the reader to wonder which tradition he is describing. This synthesis, which confuses instead of clarifies, is further diluted by doses of astrology, mythology, psychology and self-help. Exercises such as breathing, journaling and meditating are suggested to encourage personal change. Some Hebrew words are inaccurately translated (e.g., "malkuth comes from the Hebrew mal, meaning royal, and kuth, meaning vulva"). Hopking delivers infuriatingly subjective statements as truth, claiming, for instance, that "it was not until very recently that the Kabbalah was seen as anything other than a backwater by the mainstream Jewish community." Illustrations from art museums and science libraries around the world make this a pretty book to look at, but not an informative, accurate guide.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806931213
• ISBN-13: 978-0806931210
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good basics, August 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Practical Kabbalah Guidebook (Paperback)

The editorial review is a little harsh and I have no doubt that for the experienced Kabbalah reader it doesn't do much for them. For myself, someone just trying to get some basic information on it, it was a great primer. It lays out the Kabbalah, the Tree of Life and the Ladder of Light and their associations fairly clearly. There were many times I was left with lots of questions, but that only makes me want to read more. I don't think that the author intended this to be an indepth analysis of the Kabbalah. The visual characteristics are clear and help visually to explain what he is talking about. There is also a good brief history and how other areas of mysticism link to the Kabbalah. It's a good place to start, but not one where you would want to end.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for a Beginning Overview, July 26, 2007

By 

D. Durden (Decatur, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Kabbalah Guidebook (Paperback)

This book was never intended to be used for in-depth study. I have studied the Kabbalah for many years and I use this book as a reference when I need a quick reminder, a simple definition or just want to organize my thoughts when I am doing a presentation about Kabbalah.

I recommend this book for people who are curious about the Kabballah but don't know if they want to commit to serious study. Traditional texts and classes can get you bogged down very quickly, but this book presents a clear, concise description of what the Kabbalah is and how it can be used.

Great for beginners.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLANT FOR OVERVEIWING, February 24, 2008

By 

MYSTIC (CLEVELAND, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Kabbalah Guidebook (Paperback)

THIS BOOK SUMMARIZES AN OVERVIEW HOW THE INTERPRETATION OF THE TREE OF LIFE HAS EFFECTED HISTORY WITH EXCELLANT ILLUSTRATIONS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN REVIEWING THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES THAT THE TREE OF LIFE REPRESENTS THEN THIS IS AN EXCELLANT REFERNCE. I FOUND THIS BOOK ESPECIALLY INSIGHTFUL IN GIVING ME MY THESIS SUBJECT IN ADAPTING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WITHIN KABBALAH'S TREE OF LIFE. THE AUTHOR ILLUSTRATES THE TREE OF LIFE WITH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING THE FREEMASONS TAKE OF JACOB'S LADDER, THE AUTHOR DOES A THROUGH EXPLANATION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS THAT I NEVER SEEN BY ANOTHER AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR DOES AVIOD IN SPECIALIZING AN INDEPTH TAKE ON THE TREE OF LIFE, MAINLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER AUTHORS WHO ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE READER'S SATIFACTION.