I spent many years avoiding the popular books on the Kabbalah since I was not informed enough to make a judgment on various publications. This book was recommended by a Rabbi who is well versed in the Tradition. Thus, I expected an accurate description of the Kabbalah, but I did not expect such a well written and engaging book. The work had a good mix of technical terms in Hebrew with nice explanations in English. I would recommend this for anyone who wants an accurate review of the Mystical Tradition... more info
If you read just one book on kabbalah, make it this one:
"Inner Space" is highly recommended for those seeking an introduction to authentic kabbalah. It contains transcripts of a series of lectures on the kabbalistic system given by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, a great teacher of the previous generation, and it testifies to his wonderful ability to transmit profound ideas in a readily-graspable way. Although this is an introductory text, it contains many perspectives that are expressed in a unique way, so it would be quite valuable even for the more advanced student of... more info
A wise guide to an incomprehensible subject:
One should study Kabbalah according to the classical sources only when one has already learned Torah and Mishnah and Gemarah and reached the age of forty. I once learned with a great Talmid Chacham who whenever he was asked about the Kabbalah would say that he had never studied it, and therefore could not answer. This is all to differentiate the traditional Jewish reservation before the study of Kabbalah and the wave of popular Kabbalah study which seems to involve many other kinds of things.
Aryeh... more info
Review of Inner Space b y Aryeh Kaplan:
Inner Space was based on a series of classes that Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan gave to a small group of students in Brooklyn in 198l. To delve into the spiritual dimension is not an easy one, but for Kaplan he was one of the most gifted and knowledgable men to address Jewish mysticism. This is a rather pop subject having been made so by Madonna and friends. Many such books can be found dotted within the Judaica section of bookstores, but as indicated above few are written by such a gifted author.The amount of... more info
