About the Author

Contact email :
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Synopsis

This book presents the Kabbalah in a clear light and in friendly, easily understood language, opening for the reader the gates to the charmed world of the Kabbalah, step by step, in a captivating experimental manner, the book lifts the fog of secrecy and mystery that has enshrouded this ancient mystical doctrine. The Kabbalah is presented in a new light that has practical relevance to our lives in the here and now. Through the perspective of the Kabbalah, various concepts, some of  them familiar, others hidden, are clarified in creative endeavour, in science, the arts, and in the relationships between human beings.

This comprehensive and profound book takes the reader on enchanting journeys up through the tree of life, or Sephirot, into the upperworlds. It also sails into the regions of  legend and magic, as well as to the secrets of practical Kabbalah. It sets forth and explains the various techniques Kabbalists use to achieve spiritual ascent and the engendering of a connection to the upper worlds.

The Kabbalah is presented as a universal law, a law for all people, as the root and source of all wisdom. The book presents the Kabbalah as a mystical doctrine that deals with the fundamentals of God's Creation and creatures, regardless of race, religion or sex. As such, the messages of the Kabbalah are spiritual and ideational, and have been intended for the benefit of all who have lived, throughout the ages.

The book differs from others on the same subject in its clarity and experiential approach. The author imbues his book with a personal character, by interweaving it with his own deeply felt experiences, and trials in the pathways of the Kabbalah, to which he adds tales of the various Kabbalists and saints.

Chapter One: Childhood Knowledge - First Acquaintance with Kabbala

The author begins with a description of his first deeply felt experience with Kabbalah, at the age of six, through events related to the death of his Kabbalist grandfather. This chapter includes dreams and instances of telepathic communication, a dramatic description of the experience of death and the flight if the soul- the halo - leaving the body. As a boy, the author received messages and insights that became progressively dimmer, more obscure and forgotten, during his adolescence.

 Chapter Two: Revealing the Hidden Law

Explains to the reader briefly, simply and clearly what Kabbalah is. The history and development of the Kabbalah, and the various schools of thought in it are succinctly set forth. The reader is also provided with a dictionary of basic concepts that enables him to understand Kabbalah fundamentals. The three methods used in Kabbalistic writings for interpreting the camouflaging information are also presented: numerolgy (gematria), use of acronyms (notaricon), and coded rearrangement of letters (temura).

Chapter Three: As Above, So Below

We are in the age of change and open-mindedness towards mysticism. With this in mind, the connection between Kabbalah and astrology is set forth. The astrological Age of Aquarius is portrayed alongside the Kabbalistic "doctrine of cosmic cycles".

Chapter Four: First Steps in Kabbalah

Describes the personal turning point experienced by the author, which led him back into the world of his late grandfather, the world of the Kabbalah. While in his twenties in Johannesburg, in the prime of his life - financially successful, raising a family, at a peak of his athletic prowess, a catastrophe and the healing process ends with a moving description of the victory of spirit over matter. The author even participated in, through the finish, one of the most gruelling races on earth, the Comrade race, over 90 km, of mountainous terrain.

Three basic lessons on Kabbalah are dealt with in this chapter, under the backdrop of the author's personal story. The first sets forth the nature of the connection between the corporeal world and eternal divinity, between the finite and the absolute and infinite.

The second lesson deals with the conversion of knowledge into energy. This is the secret of connection between the mind and the body, of the power of thought to affect the physical world.

The Third lesson extols the power of will, which makes possible the realization of the first two lessons.


Chapter Five: Genesis - From All-Inclusive Non-Existence to Existence

Describes the process of Creation, in which God manifests himself, the transition from all-inclusive non-existence to existence, according to the Kabbalah. Among the topics the chapter deals with are: ensof (infinity); the first beam of light; Tzimtzum (the contraction of ensof  into itself, which made Creation possible); the engendering of the Sephirot; description of the upper worlds; angels and other matters.

The abstract theory is set forth in a surprisingly lucid manner, and is accompanied by numerous illustrations, further facilitating comprehension. The book outlines a practical, clear path to making these charmed worlds an integral part of the inner experiences of every human being.

Chapter Six: Atziluth - The World of Emanation

Presents the quintessence of the Kabbalah, the world of emanation (atziluth), which is symbolized by the tree of life. The Sephirot are descibed as huge energy receptors that receive God's energy, flowing copiously from infinity. The Sephirot are : ketter (crown), khokhma (wisdom), bina (understanding) , da'at (knowledge), khessed (grace), gevura (judgement), tipheret (glory), netzakh (eternity), hod (splendor), yesod (foundation), malkhut (kingdom). Each of the sephirot attracts to itself one type of energy and has a particular mission.

The author provides an illustrative description of the Sephirot, setting forth in detail the symbols, colours, legends and stories associated with them. The practical aspect is emphasized. Ways are described for deriving, as needed, energy from the various Sephirot, energy that can influence, and help one in daily life. The author depicts in a colourful way mystical Kabbalistic events and ceremonies for opening gates to the Sephirot, and for dealing with the barriers of negative energy. Among such ceremonies are: the blowing of the Shofar, the inauguration of the Sabbath, and midnight rituals for the restoration of the Temple.


Chapter Seven: Embodiment of the Sephirot in the energy of the Cosmos

Deals with the Kabbalistic principle that all that is found in this world reflects the law of the upper worlds of the Sephirot. In parallel to the energy of the ten Sephirot in the upper worlds, the author succinctly and clearly sets forth the ten basic forms of energy which obtain in our world (that of the soul; of Genesis; of vitality; nuclear, or atomic energy; kinetic energy; radiation, or electromagnetic energy; potential energy; chemical energy; electrical energy; and heat). This is a brilliant, original analysis, which interweaves the world of physics with that of mystical Kabbalism. The author presents the reader with a complete, harmonious world. He brings home the truth of the regularity with which these energy forms function by telling enthralling stories and recounting wondrous incidents.


Chapter Eight: The Sephirot in Man's Inner World
 
Presents the way the energy of  the Sephirot is reflected in man's inner spiritual world. Here the principles of the Kabbalah and its symbols receive individual meaning and an existential message for each and every human being. A person is shown to be an integral part of the universe. He is influenced by the upper worlds, but also influences them, through his deeds and thoughts.

The various components of the soul are set  forth - nefesh (the crude spirit or the lowest level of the soul), ru'akh (spirit), neshama (soul), khaya (animated soul), yekhida (unit) - as they appear as concepts in human psychology. The components of the world of psychology are described by means of the tree of life, at the peak of which is ketter, the spiritual ideal of self-realization. In his psychological-mystical analysis, the author relates to different psychological theories. Throughout the book, the author shows the immediate relevance of the psychological tree of  life of the reader. He characterizes the coveted self-actualized personality and gives operative advice as to how to reach it.


Chapter Nine: Personality Traits of the Kabbalahist

Discusses the personality criteria required for being able to encounter God, and the balance between them. The author describes four archetypes, each of which represents one dimension of man. An "internal guide" is in charge of each type, to direct and restrain.


Chapter Ten: "Tzelem" - The Body Concealed from the Senses

Deals with human halos, or as they are referred to in the Kabbalah, Tzelem. The Tzelem gives expression to the various dimensions of the human soul, and surrounds the body from the moment of  birth to death.
 

Chapter Eleven: The Journey of Incarnations

The journey of the transmigration of souls, according to the Kabbalah, and the question of the existence and purpose of heaven and hell.


Chapter Twelve: Cosmic Good and Evil

Presents good and evil as being ingrained in the essence of Creation. Forces that concurrently oppose and complement each other, comprise our world - such as plus and minus, which are vital to the existence of an electrical system. The author illustrates this idea to the reader with numerous examples of the various types, from physics, history, philosophy, and other areas.

Under the backdrop of this world, the author continues to relate his own fascinating personal story. he demonstrates, from his personal experience, how looking back, he saw that what he had though was the most evil of all things had turned into a different kind of good. The author examines other ideas concerning the essence of good and evil, and presents mythological, legendary, figures of Satan, Lilith, and other angels of destruction.


Chapter Thirteen: Joining the Circle of the Kabbalahists

The author sets forth the conditions for joining the circle of those involved with the Kabbalah, by telling the story of his uncle's joining that circle. He goes into hardships, the exertions, the difficulties, that had attended him.
 

Chapter Fourteen: Preparation for a Mystical "Takeoff"

Deals with training and preparation for a mystical ascent. Use of  Kabbalistic meditation, "contemplation", "seclusion", internal detachment, among other means, and the appropriate time and place for mystical ascent.


Chapter Fifteen: The operating mechanisms of the Chariot of the Mystical Journey

Details the various Kabbalistic techniques used in the transcendence of the soul and a drawing of energies from the upper worlds. Use of the mystical power latent in the letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the combinations of them, sanctified expressions and Kabbalistic mantras, and the enormous power embodied in "the explicit name" of the Lord. Other tolls exist as well, among them: crying, song, dancing, kavana (devotion) and imagination. These techniques are described in a practical, concrete way, interlaced with personal stories from the author's own experience and events in the lives of the Kabbalists.


Chapter Sixteen: Mystical Unification

Describes the acme of the coveted mystical journey. Human thought adheres to divine thought and the soul unites with the divine energy of the upper Sephirot.


Chapter Seventeen: The Dangers in Mystical "Takeoff"

Warns of the various dangers inherent in "mystical takeoff" undertaken by those unfit or not absolutely skilled. The author details the kinds of danger and the various precautions to be undertaken. He emphasizes the personal and social responsibilities that devolve upon a person who deals in mysticism.


Chapter Eighteen: Magic and Kabbalah

Deals with the connection between magic and Kabbalah. As in a thriller, the reader enters the enchanted world of practical Kabbalah, which includes talismans and amulets, excommunication and shunning, the making of a golem (an animated dummy). Numerous examples are given of the process of making golems used as powerful robots that remain under the control of their creators, as well as the writing of various types of talismans, combinations of  letters and charms, which contain active forces, or serve as passive defences.

The reader is warned of the dangers inherent in the uncontrolled use of such forces. He is led to a world of stories and legends, some of which are hair-raising, and other heart warming tales.