This series of books contains the works of the ARI, the foundation for the study of the Kabbalah, accompanied by the commentary of the Baal Hasulam. Questions and answers, explanations, and a guide to achieving the Upper Worlds are contained within this scientific text. This is a preliminary translation covering the foundational sections of Talmud Eser Sefirot and Baal Hasulam’s commentary. Selected sections have been translated in this edition; more will be translated in the near future and will be published in a complete edition.
For the first time, we are seeing the publication of the essential writings of the greatest Kabbalist of the 20th century, Rav Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (1885-1954), also known as Baal HaSulam [author of the Sulam (Ladder commentary on The Zohar)]. The Writings of Baal HaSulam contains all the texts required for any person interested in learning the wisdom of Kabbalah. The book contains all of Baal HaSulam’s introductions and forewords, all his essays, letters, the articles contained in the book Shamati [I Heard], the book Beit Shaar HaKavanot [Gatehouse of Intentions]: Commentaries on the writings of the ARI, and The Writings of the Last Generation, in which Baal HaSulam analyzes political regimes and presents a model for the construction of the future society. In addition to the learning material, we included poems that Baal HaSulam wrote. Delving into the authentic writings of Baal HaSulam will help those who do so on their spiritual advancement and search for life’s meaning, and will help advance all of humanity to a new and better world.
The Jewish mystical tradition teaches that in order to create the many planes of being that culminated in our world, God brought into being ten sefirot, or vessels. These sefirot consecutively filtered (and continue to filter) God's spiritual light, so that universes separate from Him were able to emerge. It is the belief of Kabbalists that every person, object, and process in the world works through the energies of the sefirot, and every Jewish practice and holiday is a conductor that allows these energies to flow. Furthermore, because people contain analogues of the sefirot within themselves, they can intuit the spiritual truth of the upper worlds. Consequently, man's actions - acts of goodness and of religious meaning, such as keeping the Sabbath - can influence the heavenly sefirot and draw down their positive energy. This analogy, between the sefirot and one's personal manner of relating to God in a profound and deeply-felt way, is a theme discussed at length in the Breslov chasidic literature; particularly so in Likkutei Halachot, an eight volume collection of essays by Rabbi Nosson of Nemirov, an esteemed student of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav. This work parallels the sixteenth-century collection of Jewish law known as the Shulchan Aruch. But whereas that work, the foundation of modern halachic practice, is a practical manual, Likkutei Halachot uses the halachah as a takeoff point for brilliant expositions of Breslov chasidism. It is Likkutei Halachot that forms the basis of Y. David Shulman's The Sefirot: Ten Emanations of Divine Power.
This series of books contains the works of the ARI, the foundation for the study of the Kabbalah, accompanied by the commentary of the Baal Hasulam. Questions and answers, explanations, and a guide to achieving the Upper Worlds are contained within this scientific text. This is a preliminary translation covering the foundational sections of Talmud Eser Sefirot and Baal Hasulam’s commentary. Selected sections have been translated in this edition; more will be translated in the near future and will be published in a complete edition.
The Beit El kabbalists, led by their charismatic founder Shalom Shar'abi, have flourished in the Middle East for the last two and half centuries. This work is the first scholarly treatment of Beit El, its history, the underlying theory of its kabbalistic system and the practices and inner life of the kabbalists of Beit El.
The Science of Kabbalah (Pticha) is the first in a series of texts that Rav Michael Laitman, Kabbalist and scientist, designed to introduce readers to the special language and terminology of the Kabbalah. Here, Rav Laitman reveals authentic Kabbalah in a manner that is both rational and mature. Readers are gradually led to an understanding of the logical design of the Universe and the life whose home it is. The Science of Kabbalah, a revolutionary work that is unmatched in its clarity, depth, and appeal to the intellect, will enable readers to approach the more technical works of Baal HaSulam (Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag), such as 'Talmud Eser Sefirot' and Zohar. Although scientists and philosophers will delight in its illumination, laymen will also enjoy the satisfying answers to the riddles of life that only authentic Kabbalah provides. Now, travel through the pages and prepare for an astonishing journey into the 'Upper Worlds'.
It is with these deeply personal questions that Rabbi Ashlag opens his Introductions. Moving easily from the experience of the individual to the role of humankind in Creation and back again, he teaches the interplay of light with its vessel. It is this dynamic that makes up the drama of the Creator in relationship to the creation. Evil, suffering, compassion and joy are shown to each have its place as the path unfolds from concealment of the Source to the full experience of Divine love. Rabbi Ashlag teaches Kabbalah, not as an esoteric study limited to the mystically inclined, but as a universal pathway of the spirit. Many books are available about Kabbalah. This book is Kabbalah itself. Its uniqueness lies in that it contains authentic texts of Kabbalah, yet it is accessible to the general reader as a result of the clarity of the translation and the easy style of the explanations. Book jacket.
Among all the texts and notes of Rabbi Baruch Shalom Halevi Ashlag (the Rabash), there was one special notebook he always carried. This notebook contained the transcripts of his conversations with his father, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Halevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam), author of the Sulam (Ladder) commentary on The Book of Zohar and of many other works on Kabbalah. Not feeling well on the Jewish New Year in September 1991, the Rabash summoned his primary student and personal assistant, Michael Laitman, to his bedside and handed him that notebook. Its cover contained only one word, Shamati (I Heard). As he handed the notebook to him, he said to Laitman, "Take it and learn from it." The following morning, he perished in Laitman's arms, leaving him and many of his other students without guidance in this world. Committed to Rabash's legacy to spread the wisdom of Kabbalah, Laitman published the notebook just as it was written, thus retaining the text's transforming powers. Among all the books of Kabbalah, Shamati is a unique and compelling composition whose power persists long after the reading is through.
Wondrous Wisdom Michael R. Kellogg Today interest in Kabbalah has exploded worldwide. Millions of people are seeking answers as to what this ancient wisdom really is, and where they can find authentic instruction. With so many conflicting ideas about Kabbalah on the internet, in books, and in the mass media; the time has finally arrived to answer humanity's need, and reveal the wisdom to all who truly desire to know. In Wondrous Wisdom you will receive the first steps, an initial course on Kabbalah, based solely on authentic teachings passed down from Kabbalist teacher to student over thousands of years. Offered within is a sequence of lessons revealing the nature of the wisdom and explaining the method of attaining it. For every person questioning "Who am I really?" and "Why am I on this planet?" this book is an absolute must. But if you listen with your heart to one famous question, I am sure that all your doubts as to whether you should study the Kabbalah will vanish without a trace. This question is a bitter and fair one, asked by all born on earth: What is the meaning of my life? Rav Yehuda Ashlag, from Introduction to Talmud Eser Sefirot .
