Introduction to the Rose

There has been a remarkable interest in the subject of  Kabbala of late. Indeed, a New York Times study indicates that mysticism and especially Kabbala is the number two category of book purchase made at present. Kabbala centers are springing up all over North America and Europe.

" Many of those Jews studying Kabbala are unfamiliar with other basic Jewish ideas..."

Some see this phenomenon as a passing fad, others as a golden opportunity. It is undoubtedly true that many of those Jews studying Kabbala are unfamiliar with other basic Jewish ideas or requirements. Nevertheless, they have for the first time in their lives chosen to positively identify with overtly Jewish teachings.

What exactly are they learning and what choices are there?

There are a number of groups teaching Kabbala. Some offer a Judeo-Christian version of Kabbala, some offer pagan or new-age experiences, others offer an instant fix, self-help type of program. One of the main study texts is the  Zohar, even though most participants don't know the aleph-bet, let alone the vocabulary. It seems that many groups encourage the gazing at the Aramaic as a mystical psycho-spiritual curative!

Some of these programs are costly to attend, and you must have all the books on the recommended reading list. The vast majority of available texts are written by people detached from Jewish observance, and show a shameful lack of understanding of genuine kabbalistic literature.

The Soncino edition of the Zohar, the only recognized edition available today, is a case in point. Such translations, produced by people who are not mitzvah-observant, tend to speak to others who are also comfortable in their non-observance. Unfortunately it leaves much to be desired both in its accuracy of translation and its style of presentation. Even if it were the best translation in the whole world, it is still not being written from the side of holiness, which is anathema to anyone familiar with the Zohar's message.

" The Zohar...is the seed text for any kabbalistic learning..."

If people had the opportunity to read a clean pure version of the Zohar with a clear commentary, it would break the stereotype that observant Judaism in all its facets is not, as many would have us think, a close-minded shtetl/ghetto existence with countless restrictions and punishments and no time for enjoyment, enlightenment or free expression. On the contrary, the beauty of Jewish experience is the harmonious fusion of the spiritual buds above with the physical flowerings below. And that to be a mitzvah-Jew is of immense significance in the Supernal plan. This message can be strongly brought out in the particular style of commentary and the way it speaks to the reader.

Why the Zohar? Because it is the seed text for any kabbalistic learning, and therefore speaks for itself on a shelf full of nondescript books. Also there does not exist at the moment a complete translation with English commentary. And without an adequate commentary, the text is so esoteric and impenetrable that anyone can take it and interpret it in whatever erroneous way they choose.

To proceed to the first entry in a series of articles on this topic, from just the opening dozen or so lines of the holy Zohar, The Rose: Part 1 - click here.

Rabbi Peretz Auerbach originally from New York, has<

TOP OF ARTICLE	E-MAIL ARTICLE PRINT ARTICLE