Sepher Yezirah: A Book on Creation, or the Jewish Metaphysics of Remote Antiquity (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Sepher Yezirah: A Book on Creation, or the Jewish Metaphysics of Remote Antiquity; With English Translation, Preface, Explanatory Notes and GlossaryThis metaphysical essay, called Sepher Yezirah, (book on creation, or cosmogony, ) which I have em deavored to render into English, with explanatory notes, is considered by all modern literati as the first philosophical book that ever was written in the He brew language. But the time of its composition and the name of its author have not yet been ascertained, despite of the most elaborate researches of renowned archaeologists. Some maintain that this essay is mentioned in the Talmud treatise Sanhedrin, p. 66 b. And ibid. 67 b. Which passage is according to the com mentary of Rashi, to treatise Erubin, p. 63 a., a re liable historical notice. Hence this book was known already in the second or at the beginning of the third century of the Christian Era. The historian, Dr. Graetz, tries to show very ingeniofisly in his work, entitled Gnosticism, p. 104: and 110, that it was writteninthe early centuries of the Christian Church, especially when the ideas and views of the Gnostics were in vogue. This opinion, however, he afterwards revoked. (see Dr. Graetz's History of the J ews, 'i Vol. V, p. 315 111 a note.)About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Sepher Yezirah: A Book on Creation, or the Jewish Metaphysics of Remote Antiquity; With English Translation, Preface, Explanatory Notes and Glossary (Classic Reprint)

Religion & Spirituality

Kaplan, Aryeh

Judaism

Forgotten Books

Kaplan shows that meditation is consistent with traditional Jewish thought and practice. The book presents a variety of meditative techniques to help make the reader a better person, and develop a closer relationship to God.

Jewish Meditation

Schocken

Students of mediation are usually surprised to discover that a Jewish mediation tradition exists and that it was an authentic and integral part of mainstream Judaism until the eighteenth century. Jewish Meditation is a step-by-step introduction to meditation and the Jewish practice of meditation in particular. This practical guide covers such topics as mantra meditation, contemplation, and visualization within a Jewish context. It shows us how to use meditative techniques to enhance prayer using the traditional liturgy—the Amidah and the Shema. Through simple exercises and clear explanations of theory, Rabbi Kaplan gives us the tools to develop our spiritual potential through an authentically Jewish meditative practice.

Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide

Christian Books & Bibles

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 Bahir: An ancient Kabbalistic text attributed to Rabbi Nehuniah ben HaKana, first century, C. E

Red Wheel/Weiser

A highly radical interpretation of the Bible demonstrating the methods of meditation used by the Prophets to attain their unique states of consciousness. First English translation from ancient unpublished manuscripts, with commentary.

Meditation and the Bible

Red Wheel

A lucid presentation of the meditative methods, mantras, mandalas and other devices used, as well as a penetrating interpretation of their significance in the light of contemporary meditative research. Meditative methods ofthe East might have been derived from the mystical techniques of the prophets, and this intriguing possibility, mentioned in the Zohar, is also discussed.

Meditation and Kabbalah

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Alternative Medicine

Weiser Books

History

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.

Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation In Theory and Practice

Samuel/Weiser

Book by Kaplan, Aryeh, Elman, Yaakov, Lipschutz, Israel

Immortality, Resurrection and the Age of the Universe: A Kabbalistic View (English and Hebrew Edition)

Elman, Yaakov

Lipschutz, Israel

Ktav Pub & Distributors Inc

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kaplan, Aryeh. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Kaplan, Aryeh

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kaplan, Aryeh. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Sepher Yezirah: A Book on Creation, or the Jewish Metaphysics of Remote Antiquity; With English Translation, Preface, Explanatory Notes and Glossary (Classic Reprint)

Jewish Meditation

Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide

Jewish Meditation

The Bahir: An ancient Kabbalistic text attributed to Rabbi Nehuniah ben HaKana, first century, C. E

Meditation and the Bible

Meditation and Kabbalah

Meditation and the Bible

Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation In Theory and Practice

Immortality, Resurrection and the Age of the Universe: A Kabbalistic View (English and Hebrew Edition)