Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan was een wereldberoemde auteur wiens werk conventionele grenzen oversteeg. Als opgeleid fysicus en spiritueel leider bezat hij een unieke gave om complexe wetenschappelijke ideeën te synthetiseren met diepe spirituele waarden. Zijn geschriften kenmerken zich door helderheid en scherpzinnigheid, waardoor ingewikkelde Joodse concepten toegankelijk worden gemaakt voor een breed publiek. Hij liet een aanzienlijk literair erfgoed na dat lezers tot op de dag van vandaag blijft verlichten en verrijken.
The first book in any language ever to reveal the methodology of the ancient Kabbalists, this is one of the oldest and most important of all ancient Kabbalistic texts. All references, both to manuscripts and printed material are carefully cited, and the complete Hebrew text of The Bahir is included.
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.
Book by Kaplan, Aryeh, Elman, Yaakov, Lipschutz, Israel
Students of meditation are usually surprised to discover that a Jewish meditation 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.
This essay is an examination of the age of the universe as discussed in Kabbalistic works. It is important to realize that the Kabbalistic texts do not only discuss mysticism, but also many areas of hashkafah (Jewish outlook) which are of great importance to us. Let us begin with the classic question asked about the age of the universe. At face value, the Torah seemingly teaches us that the universe is 6,000 years old. Therefore, many people would hold the opinion that anyone who believes that the world is older than 6,000 years is an apikores(one who denies the basic tenets of Judaism). However, there is scientific evidence that the universe is more than 6,000 years old; maybe millions of times more. How do we resolve this question?
