Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism

This book is extremely detailed, and loaded with information. I am very eager to read his other books as I've only a few, this book was originally from 1941 (82 years ago) The one I received is from a 7th edition which is from 1973(50 years ago)

This was a very interesting book, although its stature as a classic led me to believe that it would be a bit closer to a “Jewish Mysticism for Dummies” than it ended up being. The book was written in Hebrew, presumably for audiences who have a familiarity with the Torah, the Mishnah, the Talmud etc. and the general contours of Rabbinic history including the various exiles and pogroms that helped shape it.The subjects are covered in considerable depth in a way that was occasionally frustrating. Scholem engages with the theological/theosophical aspects of the mystical movements more than the history sometimes. As an outsider I could have done with a bit more of the historical exposition, especially in regards to the Sabbatian movement and the Frankist movement which are glossed over in favor of exploring what they believed. This, in my understanding is what makes this book such a groundbreaking classic, is the seriousness with which Scholem addresses the elaborate and often paradoxical systems of belief. He clearly had a wealth of material at hand and gets to the heart of the extremely complicated mystical concepts. Personally I found myself enjoying the book more when Scholem was writing about interesting characters like Moses de Leon or Sabbatai Sevi, but for readers who want to learn about the mechanics of Kabbalah they’ll find a wealth of information

As an inquisitive Jew, I have always been mystified by Jewish mysticism. People are always telling me, "oh it's so difficult" or "complex" or "you have to be over 40 years old to understand it". All I was looking for was a book that can intelligently explain the evolution of Jewish mysticism. This is the book. It was even written during the most troubling time for the Jewish people at the height of the Holocaust, though he does not mention this at all.This book is at an academic level as it explains each period about the development of Jewish mysticism up until the modern Hasidic movement. You truly get a clear understanding of how Kabbalah was formed and how it was brought into the modern times. The first part of the book explains ancient Jewish mysticism building up to the Zohar. There are two chapters about the Zohar and then the rest the book is the aftermath with my favorite chapter about Rabbi Luria. A lot of rich information and sources. Enjoy!!!

I came to this book with some knowledge of the subject;m it is not a novel, it cannot be read as it can only be studied. If you are looking for a somewhat easier introductio, try "91/2 Mystics" which is not a view of what I think of as nonsense mysticism, it is not about wearing a res string bracelet. It has been said that Gershom Scholem was the Accountant of the Jewish mysticism; he knew where the value was, he knew the value, and it was not his to access.Others may feel differently, both about modern Kabbalah and, 91/2 Mystics. It is only my opinion.

Scholem provides a strong and clear review of the history, contexts, influences, and trajectory of Jewish mysticism and thought since its inception to the present day. Great research and understandings to be gleaned from this series of lectures!

If anyone could manage to give a clear exposition of the main ideas of Kabbalism, that person is Gershom Scholem. There were times, while reading this book, that I was swimming (I.e., near drowning), particularly in the second lecture on the Zohar, but I always eventually found my footing again, thanks to GS; and the book as a whole is a marvel of clarity, that is, a marvelously clear presentation of an extremely complex, dense, and knotty material. I am in awe. Amongst scholarly studies, a book like this one is one in a thousand, if not one in ten thousand, or more.

There are so many books about Kabbalah coming out these days like popcorn. Gershom Sholem rediscovered the Kabbalah and brought it from obscurity to world fame. But the quality of his research, so broad (going beyond Judaism alone), no bombastic declarations with grounds, is of a league rear today. Still the writing flows, maybe the fact that it's adjusted lectures help. It covers the entire historical span starting from Jewish mystics around the Christ era and reaches to the near present, OK, before Madonna joined.

Scholem's overview of the development of Jewish mysticism in general and Kabbalah in particular is magisterial. For those not familiar with Jewish history, some of the lectures may be dense, but this challenge can also be a springboard for exploring more in Jewish history and religious development. However, he provides a thorough introduction to this fascinating field of studies. Note that quite a few of his sources are Hebrew texts, so facility with Hebrew is helpful, but not requisite.

Great book and it arrived in great conditions

Scholem’s classic text is a must read. Deep, engaging and informative. Still in print after 70 years!

Livre très intéressant. Le seul point faible, à mon sens, c'est qu'il ne montre pas suffisamment comment la gnose juive (kabbale moniste, kabbale messianique, kabbale dualiste) s'est inspirée de la gnose chrétienne ou non, y compris dans ses développements les plus scandaleux comme la "redemption through sin" le salut ou le rachat par le crime et la perversité. Tous ceux qui connaissent un peu l'histoire de la gnose savent que les gnostiques juifs n'ont rien inventé. Au mieux ils ont réinventé au pire ils ont pompé !

Classic and definitive work on the subject matter by a brilliant scholar. Time frame ends before the full impact of The Holocaust was realised.

Grest ebook editiom