In the Shadow of the Ladder: Introductions to Kabbalah [Paperback]

Rabbi Yehudah Lev Ashlag (Author), Mark Cohen PhD (Translator), Yedidah Cohen (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

This authentic translation into English of two Kabbalah texts written in Hebrew asks deeply personal questions about the essence of an individual and the existence of a soul. Discussing the experience of an individual and the role of humans in creation, it offers an understanding of the places of evil, suffering, compassion, and joy in the full experience of divine love. The Kabbalah is presented here not as an esoteric study limited to the divinely inspired, but as a universal pathway of the spirit. Coming from the West rather than the East, this book fills a long-awaited gap as it teaches an essential spirituality within the conceptual framework of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Among the many books now available on Kabbalah, this will stand out for its unique combination of depth, authenticity, and clear, direct speech."  —Rabbi Arthur Green, author, Seek My Face, Speak My Name

About the Author

Rabbi Yehudah Lev Ashlag (1886–1955) was the author of Perush HaSulam, the first major commentary ever written on the Zohar, the key work of the Kabbalah, which dates from the first century. Mark Cohen, PhD, and Yedidah Cohen, MB, BS, have studied these texts in the original Hebrew with a student of Rabbi Baruch Ashlag, the son of Rabbi Yehudah Lev Ashlag. They teach this work in Hebrew and English in seminars and to groups in Israel and around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Nehora Press (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9657222087
• ISBN-13: 978-9657222089
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent intro to the Kabbalah system of Rabbi Ashlag, February 8, 2004

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Ladder: Introductions to Kabbalah (Paperback)

This book is both an introduction to the saintly life and teachings of Rabbi Yehudah Lev Ashlag (1886-1955) and a new translation of some of his basic teachings. Although there have been some unauthorized (and in some cases, spurious) translations of Ashlag's work over the years, none has been as accessible to the English-speaking reader as this book. The translations included here were done with the permission of Rabbi Yisroel Miller, who holds the Hebrew copyright to Ashlag's works, and who graciously allowed Mark and Yedidah Cohen to use the original materials. In their introduction, the Cohens discuss their choice(s)of words for this translation, and their struggle to remain true to Rabbi Ashlag's thought. They also include an excellent glossary of "Keywords, Definitions, and Concepts."

Yehudah Ashlag is now regarded as one of the greatest kabbalists of the 20th century. Born into a Hasidic family in Warsaw, he was a child prodigy whose interest in kabbalah was awakened at an early age. In their introduction, the Cohens write: "The story is told that at the ages of eleven, a book fell off a shelf and hit him on the head. His father picked it up and while replacing it, told him that it was a book for angels, not for people. But the young Yehudah decided that if it was printed, then it was certainly intended for human beings!" (p. 20) Thus began his secret study of kabbalah, along with the more usual course of yeshiva studies. At the age of 19 he was ordained as a rabbi by the rabbis of Warsaw, and served as a rabbi in that city for 16 years. In 1924 he moved to Israel, where, in 1926, he began writing his works on kabbalah.

Rabbi Ashlag's best-known work is "Ha-Sulam," (The Ladder), a complete translation of the Zohar from Aramaic into modern Hebrew, along with his own commentary on each paragraph. He also wrote a number of introductory books and articles on basic kabbalistic concepts. Due to extreme poverty, the original self-published editions were quite limited, but still circulated widely enough to attract both disciples and critics. By publishing this material, he went against the convention of the time, which was to limit access to advanced Torah scholars. But Rabbi Ashlag correctly perceived that Jews in our generation would not be satisfied to merely learn the outer forms. The time had come, Rabbi Ashlag believed, to make the inner teachings of Judaism accessible to everyone.

However, we should also note that he also stressed the importance of practicing the teachings in daily life, through Torah and mitzvot (the commandments). Unlike some of the "neo-kabbalists" who have co-opted his writings over the years, Rabbi Ashlag did not break with Orthodox Judaism. Rather, he sought to enrich the experience of the Torah life by revealing the inner meanings of the outer observances. Kabbalah is something a Jew does IN ADDITION TO traditional Torah observances, not "instead of."

Kabbalists from the "Jewish Renewal" school of thought may be surprised to learn that "Four Worlds Judaism" is not something unique to the Renewal movement. Rather, these ideas are clearly outlined in the works of Rabbi Ashlag, who, in turn, took them from the teachings of the 16th-century mystic, Isaac Luria. He, in turn, received them through the Zohar. In his "Introduction to the Zohar" (included in this book), Rabbi Ashlag clearly explains the Four Worlds (levels of existence: Action, Formation, Creation, Emanation) as well as many other basic concepts necessary for understanding kabbalah. That these teachings have now become so widespread is perhaps due to Rabbi Ashlag's courage in bringing them out of secrecy and into the light. I highly recommend this book as a first rung on the Ladder to greater love of God.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive work for our times, July 9, 2003

By 

"p129" - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Ladder: Introductions to Kabbalah (Paperback)

Rabbi Ashlag is now generally recognized as THE major Kabbalist of the Twentieth Century. His work has been badly distorted and plagiarized in English translation but here at last is the essence of his teachings, portrayed in an accurate and authentic form.
The translators have done a superb job of rendering Rabbi Ashlag in readable English while at the same time being true to the original text. They have added extra chapters explaining the basic concepts of Kabbalah so that the reader can fully understand Rabbi Ashlag's teachings even if they have no previous background in Kabbalah.
The two Introductions to Kabbalah that are at the center of this book are miniature masterpieces, explaining the nature, meaning and purpose of human existence.
I heartlily recommend this book to anyone who wants a proper and authentic understanding of Kabbalah. It is a modern classic that one can come back to again and again, constantly finding inspiration and insight.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important Contribution to Jewish Spirituality, April 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Ladder: Introductions to Kabbalah (Paperback)

This an excellent book and worth getting for two fine translations of two Introductions (to much more extensive works) by Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag. Rabbi Ashlag is a major Kabbalistic figure in the 20th century. Though the language he uses (and translated into english) is not overly complicated, he uses terms that require elaboration. This is done iin a special section written by the two authors at the end of the book. Once you review this section for a fine and clear explanation of Rabbi Ashlag's terms and concepts, a return to the man in text will be very rewarding. There is another beautiful essay on how learning and practicing Rabbi Ashlag's system has had a trasformative effect on one of the authors. This is a great book and I suggest anyone interrested in Kabbalah and Jewish Spirituality obtain it.