This revised edition of a modern classic includes a new Foreword by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and an Afterword by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, editor of The Talmud: The Steinsaltz Edition, as well as a Coda by the author in which he explores the many paths being traveled today in the search for the treasures of the Kabbala.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Holy meetings in Jerusalem:
In this pioneering work Herbert Weiner recounts his meetings with a number of Jewish teachers in Jerusalem. He reveals a world or worlds which at the time were little known outside the Holy Land . This book has about it the feeling of discovery, of new promise in the world of Jewish learning. It is inspiring and still very much worth reading today.
Personal Journey, Historical/Social Research on Kabbala:
Rabbi Herbert Weiner writes in an engaging manner about a personal journey, almost like a travelogue, into the historical, social and spiritual concepts underlying Kabbalistic thought. What I love most about the book is how he intersperses a great deal of historical knowledge in each chapter which makes the ideas come alive. The beauty of the writing is how the sparks of knowledge burn even into these modern times. They can light a fire in today's world. A sound spiritual base is a prerequiste to the... more info
A kabbalistic travelogue:
This is another one of those 20th century classics that I am delighted to see back in print. First published in 1969, it remains an excellent and very readable introduction to Jewish mysticism as practiced by Jews in modern times. I discovered it in the early 1970's and literally wore out my first copy. It was one of the pivotal books in my own personal quest, and remains a favorite today.
The "half mystic" in the title is Rabbi Herbert Weiner (Reform), who describes his personal interactions with... more info
A useful intro to the subject:
A lucid introduction to Jewish mysticism as it exists in the modern era. I've read quite a lot on the topic, yet the book taught me things I honestly did not know previously. Also, I appreciate the fact that Weiner generally avoids the syncretism that is common in works that attempt to relate Jewish mysticism to the contemporary spiritual quest.
