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Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan has translated Sefer Yetzirah, the oldest and
most mysterious of all kabbalistic texts, and now brings its
theoretical, meditative, and magical implications to light. He
expounds on the dynamics of the spiritual domain, the worlds of the
Sefirot, souls, and angels. When properly understood, Sefer
Yetzirah becomes the instruction manual for a very special type of
meditation meant to strengthen concentration and to aid the
development of telekinetic and telepathic powers. --This text
refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Discover the hidden secrets of Torah and Kabbalah through
the
captivating stories of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.
Rabbi Nachman s stories are among the great classics of Jewish
literature. They have been recognized by Jews and non-Jews alike
for their depth and insight into both the human condition and the
realm of the mysterious. from Aryeh Kaplan s Translator s
Introduction
For centuries, spiritual teachers have told stories to convey
lessons about God and perceptions of the world around us. Hasidic
master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772 1810) perfected this teaching
method through his engrossing and entertaining stories that are
fast-moving, brilliantly structured, and filled with penetrating
insights.
This collection presents the wisdom of Rebbe Nachman, translated
by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and accompanied by illuminating commentary
drawn from the works of Rebbe Nachman s pupils. This important work
brings you authentic interpretations of Rebbe Nachman s stories,
allowing you to experience the rich heritage of Torah and Kabbalah
that underlies each word of his inspirational teachings.
Rejoice in the stories of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov for their
insight into the human condition and the realm of the mysterious.
When Rabbi Nachman first started telling his stories, he declared:
"Now I am going to tell you stories." The reason he did so was
because in generations so far from God the only remedy was to
present the secrets of the Torah including even the greatest of
them in the form of stories. from the Preface For centuries,
spiritual teachers have told stories to convey lessons about God
and perceptions of the world around us. Hasidic master Rebbe
Nachman of Breslov (1772 1810) perfected this teaching method
through his engrossing and entertaining stories that are
fast-moving, brilliantly structured, and filled with penetrating
insights. This collection presents the wisdom of Rebbe Nachman,
translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and accompanied by illuminating
commentary drawn from the works of Rebbe Nachman's pupils. This
important work brings you authentic interpretations of Rebbe
Nachman s stories, allowing you to experience the rich heritage of
Torah and Kabbalah that underlies each word of his inspirational
teachings."
This essay is an examination of the age of the universe as
discussed in Kabbalistic works.
It is important to realize that the Kabbalistic texts do not
only discuss mysticism, but also many areas of hashkafah (Jewish
outlook) which are of great importance to us.
Let us begin with the classic question asked about the age of
the universe. At face value, the Torah seemingly teaches us that
the universe is 6,000 years old.
Therefore, many people would hold the opinion that anyone who
believes that the world is older than 6,000 years is an
apikores(one who denies the basic tenets of Judaism). However,
there is scientific evidence that the universe is more than 6,000
years old; maybe millions of times more.
How do we resolve this question?
Discover the hidden secrets of Torah and Kabbalah through the
captivating stories of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. “Rabbi
Nachman’s stories are among the great classics of Jewish
literature. They have been recognized by Jews and non-Jews alike
for their depth and insight into both the human condition and the
realm of the mysterious.” —from Aryeh Kaplan’s Translator’s
Introduction For centuries, spiritual teachers have told stories to
convey lessons about God and perceptions of the world around us.
Hasidic master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) perfected
this teaching method through his engrossing and entertaining
stories that are fast-moving, brilliantly structured, and filled
with penetrating insights. This collection presents the wisdom of
Rebbe Nachman, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and accompanied by
illuminating commentary drawn from the works of Rebbe Nachman’s
pupils. This important work brings you authentic interpretations of
Rebbe Nachman’s stories, allowing you to experience the rich
heritage of Torah and Kabbalah that underlies each word of his
inspirational teachings.
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Sefer Habahir
Aryeh Kaplan
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R735
Discovery Miles 7 350
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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The Bahir is one of the oldest and most important of all classical
Kabbalah texts. Until the publication of the Zohar, the Bahir was
the most influential and widely quoted primary source of
Kabbalistic teachings. The Bahir is quoted in every major book on
Kabbalah, the earliest being the Raavad's commentary on Sefer
Yetzirah, and it is cited numerous times by Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman
(Ramban) in his commentary on the Torah. It is also quoted many
times in the Zohar. It was first published around 1176 by the
Provence school of Kabbalists; the first printed edition appeared
in Amsterdam in 1651. The name Bahir is derived from the first
verse quoted in the text (Job 37:21), "And now they do not see
light, it is brilliant (Bahir) in the skies." It is also called the
"Midrash of Rabbi Nehuniah ben HaKana," particularly by the Ramban.
The reason might be that Rabbi Nehuniah's name is at the very
beginning of the book, but most Kabbalists actually attribute the
Bahir to him and his school. Some consider it the oldest
kabbalistic text ever written. Although the Bahir is a fairly small
book, some 12,000 words in all, it was very highly esteemed among
those who probed its mysteries. Rabbi Judah Chayit, a prominent
fifteenth-century Kabbalist, writes, "Make this book a crown for
your head." Much of the text is very difficult to understand, and
Rabbi Moshe Cordevero (1522-1570), head of the Safed school of
Kabbalah, says, "The words of this text are bright (Bahir) and
sparkling, but their brilliance can blind the eye." One of the most
important concepts revealed in the Bahir is that of the Ten
Sefirot, and careful analysis of these discussions yields much of
what will be found in later kabbalistic works, as well as their
relation to anthropomorphism and the reason for the commandments.
Also included is a discussion of reincarnation, or Gilgul, an
interpretation of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the
Thirty-two Paths of Wisdom, and the concept of Tzimtzum, the s
The Kabbalah is divided into three branches-the theoretical, the
meditative, and the practical. While many books, both in Hebrew and
English, have explored the theoretical Kabbalah, virtually nothing
has been published regarding the meditative methods of these
schools. This is the first book published in any language that
reveals the methodology of the Kabbalists and stresses the
meditative techniques that were essential to their discipline.
Kaplan offers a lucid presentation of the mantras, mandalas, and
other devices used by these schools, as well as a penetrating
interpretation of their significance in light of contemporary
meditative research. In addition, Meditation and Kabbalah presents
relevant portions of such meditative texts as the Greater Hekhalot
(textbook of the Merkava School), the writings of Abraham Abulafia,
Joseph Gikatalia's Gates of Holiness, Gate of the Holy Spirit
(textbook of the Lurianic School), and the important meditative
hasidic classics. Also investigated is the intriguing possibility,
suggested by the Zohar, that the meditative methods of the East
might have been derived from the mystical techniques of the
prophets.
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