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Shamati: I Heard

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From its beginnings as a hand written notebook by Rav Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag (Rabash) of the wisdom he heard from his father, Rav Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)to this lovely paperback book including the content of all those handwritten pages, Shamati (which means "I Heard") come to us as an essential book of Kabbalah.

The notebook written by Rabash was passed on to his long time student and personal assistant, Michael Laitman, who saw to it that the wisdom in that notebook was published for the whole world to read. Rav Laitman carries on this teaching lineage by using the teachings of Baal HaSulam in his organization, Bnei Baruch.

There are 243 articles of Shamati, and each one carries with it the essence of Baal HaSulam and his spiritual attainment. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to study these articles over and over again to plumb the depths of their meaning.

There are always situations, or questions or concepts that need clarifying, answered or described to us. The answers are here in the Shamati articles. I cannot count how many times I have used this book to provide what I or someone else needed to hear in order to work through a mood or a state and bring balance.

The first article, "There is None Else Besides Him," sets the tone for this book in that we are reminded that all comes from Him, and is intended only to bring us Light. This wonderful book does just that to all who seek the wisdom that is written on its pages.

Read it, cherish it. There is not another book in the world like this. It will change you as you read it whether you understand it or not.

In the appendix of one of Dr. Laitman's books, the book of Shamati is not listed as beginner, intermediate or advanced reading. It is the one selection listed under textbook, and although I can see why, it is similar to referring to the Bible as a textbook. Instructional yes, but like the Bible, Shamati is a "Holy" book. Shamati is meant for the serious Kabbalah student and by that I mean the students of Bnei Baruch. There is a special reverence to this book, even when you do not understand all that you are reading. We are taught that the purpose of our study is not knowledge, but to attract the Light that corrects. Just having this book in your presence, you can almost sense the Light beaming down. I cannot imagine a student who would not want Shamati on their bedside reading table.

This is indeed a holy book in means that it is "separate" from reality. This is a means for opening sensations within oneself and understanding the way of thinking of this great kabbalist. These essays have deep meanings and most of the time i read em again and i find stuff that i have missed the first time. this book is a must for those interested in finding what they truly seek...

"True Kabbalah"

I love this book. It's not a matter of understanding it in the literal sense. If you read a little each day, you find that understanding finds you.

A collection of commentaries made by Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag by his son, Rabbi Baruch Ashlag - mostly made between 1942 and 1950. The commentaries are focused on excerpts from the Torah, The Talmud, other Mishnah and the Zohar. The level is extremely deep and sublime, and candidly probably requires a teacher and years of study to fully understand and appreciate.

There are no training wheels with this book - you are on a motorcycle. A motorcycle that, in all candor, I don't understand and am obviously not ready to ride. If you are interested in the Ashlag's work, and feel very confident in your knowledge of Torah, then you may find this book digestable. If you are a Kabbalah student and are looking for some readings to draw light, this book is certainly for you. Just don't get too frustrated with the level it is writeen at. If you are not either of these, focus on the fundamentals first.

The history of this book is fairly well known, a collection of teachings passed down from a father (Yehuda Ashlag, aka Baal HaSulam) to his son (Baruch Ashlag, aka Rabash). Then passed on to Rabash's disciple Michael Laitman.
It is a glorious collection of teachings that I hold dear to me. It is the book I refer to often, probably the most out of all the Kabbalah books I own and definitely the most out of all my books.
I wouldn't necessarily consider this a beginners book (even though I was only studying for 2 months when I picked it up), but if you want to learn Kabbalah bad enough you can find a lot of wisdom any time you read this.
Shamati isn't a book that you read from front to back. The articles do not seem to have any order to them and I find it best to just pick an article and start reading.
With this book we can achieve harmony with Nature.

Shamati (I Heard) is a unique and fascinating glimpse into the legacy of the greatest modern Kabbalist who fervently believed that the time had come to share the wisdom of Kabbalah with the entire world. The bulk of these selections are from the period of time during which Rav Yehuda Ashlag, (Baal HaSulam) was completing his seminal work on the Commentary to The Book of Zohar.

Shamati has a sense of intimate connection to the author. It is as though we have been invited in Baal HaSulam's home and he has just chosen to share with us the deeper meaning of a specific phrase or concept from a Kabbalistic perspective. Each selection generates the feeling of being the precise person for whom these words are intended resulting in a deep, open, vulnerable, inclusive, joyful connection to All-That-Is.

Shamati means `I heard'. This book is a collection of `conversations' between Baruch Ashlag and his father, Yehuda Ashlag. Yehuda Ashlag was known as The Baal Hasulam (master of the ladder) and was the greatest kabbalaist of our times. I know of no other book like this in the world. It is not meant as an introduction to Kabbalah. It was compiled by Michael Laitman and is used by serious students who study this great wisdom.

What a privilege it is for anyone to read this book, the words will resonate and fulfill hungry hearts. The notebook of the Rabash's conversations with his father, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Halevi Ashlag is a treasure that begins with the foundation of all wisdom: There is none else besides Him. On this solid base I could place all the remaining pages and see quite plainly the Creator's incredible love for mankind. The wisdom contained in Shamati touches on every concern I encounter on the path I have taken. Reading Shamati I have been encouraged and strengthened on my journey of discovery of the wisdom of the Upper Worlds.
Rav Michael Laitman's decision to publish Shamati was an act of gracious kindness to the world.