Rating: 
Summary: COMPLETE AND BEST!
Review: Aryeh Kaplan has produced an incredibly brilliant scholarly work within the pages of this commentary of the Sefer Yetzirah. The Appendix includes variant texts, as well as a complete listing of the 231 gates. Rich with diagrams and charts, Rebbe Kaplan explains this ancient book thoroughly. A must-read for anyone interested in Jewish mystical thought!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent analysis
Review: Aryeh Kaplan has produced an incredibly brilliant scholarly work within the pages of this commentary of the Sefer Yetzirah. The Appendix includes variant texts, as well as a complete listing of the 231 gates. Rich with diagrams and charts, Rebbe Kaplan explains this ancient book thoroughly. A must-read for anyone interested in Jewish mystical thought!
Rating:
Summary: Practitioner Commentary
Review: Before his tragic death, Rabbi Kaplan was a practicing Kabbalist who wrote several ground-breaking books on Kabbalah. Notably, he wrote 3 books on Jewish Meditation and commentaries on both the Sefer Yetzirah and the Book Bahir. His Sefer Yetzirah provides considerable commentary and explanation of the text, though much of it is still a mystery--so don't expect a complete exposition of a definitive sort. None exists at least in English as far as I can determine. But, this one is about as good as you get today. The so-called Book of Creation (actually in Kabbalah/Hebrew it's really the book of Formation since Yetzirah is the World of Formation and Beriah is the World of Creation) is replete with esoteric symbology. Symbols (as opposed to signs) do not have a definitive meaning. They aren't supposed to. They have many "meanings." Thus, this text, though obviously very heavy duty metaphysically, is very difficult to understand today. It is also one of the 3 main texts in Kabbalah. So, this is a book for the serious student of Kabbalah to ponder and meditate upon for a long, long...time.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Beside the Sephir Yetzirah translated by Carlo Suares and published by Shambhala Books, this is the best. I don't know if the Suares translation is available anymore, but his knowledge of the cabalistic code is how I first learned Cabala. Notwithstanding, there is nothing by Rabbi Kaplan that is not excellent. He was a great scholar. This is by far the most complete treatment of all the Yetziratic material there is. The Sephir Yetzirah is a very holy book.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Available in English
Review: I have read Sefir Yetzirah (in English) by other writers and there is even one that claims to the complete with the Hebrew text on the cover... but actually only skimming the surface. Kaplan's book is the MOST DETAILED and MOST COMPLETE, and most skillfully written and it is not difficult to understand why his books are popular.If you want the best Sefir Yetzirah book in English; no others is comparable to it!! Get it!!
Rating:
Summary: The definitive edition
Review: Reb Kaplan wrote about Kabbalah before it suddenly became cool and trendy; long before people like Madonna got into it. This book is superb, as all of the reviewers have noted. It of course will be a necessary addition to the library of anyone seriously studying Kabbalah, and it requires much study and repeated readings to glean it's wisdom. All of Kaplan's writings meet up to these high standards.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have For Any Serious Student Of The Kabbalah
Review: There is a lot of garbage that is printed on the various aspects of and subjects pertaining to Kabalistic thought and creation, but this is NOT one of them. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan was a truly phenomenal man, worthy of praise from mystics, rabbis, and the curious alike. It is truly a wonderful coincidence for those lucky enough to meet or sit in on lectures with Rabbi Kaplan that he lived in the last century. Rabbi Kaplan made Kabala accessible to those whose only language is English. While I would recommend other books by this great man, I would also recommend, more than words can express, this work in particular. If you SERIOUSLY want to learn about the Kabalistic paths, this book is one of the best in English to help you along your journey, safely, and honestly. Good Luck!
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Have for a Kabbalistic Student
Review: This is a text that is absolutely necessary for any in-depth study of Kabbalah. Besides the Zohar, this book is the next most influential text. Although the original author(s) is debated, its antiquity is unchallenged. This particular rendition by Aryeh Kaplan has a huge commentary, that makes it accessible to even average students of the English speaking world. However, this book is definitely not for the casual reader, you really have to pay attention to details. The book itself is broken down line by line and delves into the esoteric nature of the study of Kabbalah. This is one of the true practical Kabbalah manuals with its endless combinations and meditations, and workings of the mystical tree that all but the most advanced will find themselves re-reading paragraphs. The addition of other versions makes this book a good one for the linguistic study of the text and is shown in the original Hebrew as well as English.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is the most impressive "Book of Creation" that I have come across so far. I was "introduced" to this book through references of other books. The numerous references made me wonder whether this book is good. Hence I got this book and indeed,.. the author is very knowledgable and complete in his approach. It is the best that I have come across. If you want to get "Book of Creation" in English, this one is not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable spiritual guide
Review: Whether you are a long time Kabbalist, or a Christian interested in the roots of your religion, this book is invaluable. Rabbi Kaplan writes about a daunting subject in an easy to understand style. I knew next to nothing about the mysteries of Kabbalah when I purchased this book, but now I understand most of the major Kabbalistic concepts. Do not pass this book up if you are interested in spirtual and mind expansion.
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