Customer Reviews

The Schocken Book of Jewish Mystical Testimonies: A unique and inspiring collection of accounts by people who have encountered God from Biblical times to the present

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Jacob's "Book of Jewish Mystical Testimonies" is a far simpler work than the title would give lie to, similiar to the "Essential" spirituality books on the market (such as Matt's "Essential Kabbalah", or Thurman's "Essential Tibetan Buddhism"). It is an anthology of excerpts and letters written by Jewish mystics through the ages, though with a notable concentration of Lurianic and Chasidic mystics (as their writings are the most accessable today).

Some of the most enjoyable parts included a letter attributed to the Baal Shem Tov (one of his few existant writings), a chapter from Maimonides' that explains the way to achieve prophethood (that gives lie to the idea that Maimonides was a rationalist foe of mysticism), a letter on the holiness of the Chasidic tzaddikim, and excerpts from the Zohar. Also included is an introduction from religion writer Karen Armstrong, who discusses these testimonies in the context of the world's mystical traditions.

Overall, a solid introduction to the varieties of Jewish religious experience.

This was the first book I ever read about Jewish mysticism, and it has prompted me to read more. The book is very accessible to readers with only very basic biblical knowledge, and although many of the concepts and Hebrew terms are difficult to grasp, the compiler has added copious notes and an excellent glossary. The cost of the whole book is made worthwhile by the understanding gained of the Ezekiel throne vision provided in the first chapter. Fascinating! Some of the more recent Jewish mystics' writings are not quite as interesting, but if you enjoyed the mystical angle in the movie "Pi", I think you'll be enlightened by the descriptions of the techniques used by these "modern" mystics.