The Thirteen Petalled Rose

Rating:
Summary: The Meaning of Life comes alive.
Review: Although short in length, this book packs quite a punch. The chapter on repentence alone is worth the price if the whole book. Steinsaltz does a magnificent job of peeling the layers back to get at the core of the meaning of concepts relating to life. This book is certainly Kabbalistic in nature, but that shouldn't prohibit anyone from picking this book up. It is written a very easy to understand manner that would make it acceptable to anyone interested in the "meaning of life." The author takes intimidating subjects like the sefirot or "tree of life," and explains their relevance to our lives in a manner suitable for even novices of scripture or anyone searching for some meaning for that matter. I can see coming back to this book time and time again for methods of approaching subjects of the Torah to those that reject its validity in our lives or those that like to portray it as irrelevant in today's society. This book could definitely be part of a class in a college or university and would even be suited for certain high schools. The depth of subject matter combined with the easy readability and the relatively short length make this a splendid book suitable for anyone remotely interested in the meaning of their life.

Rating:
Summary: The Meaning of Life comes alive.
Review: Although short in length, this book packs quite a punch. The chapter on repentence alone is worth the price if the whole book. Steinsaltz does a magnificent job of peeling the layers back to get at the core of the meaning of concepts relating to life. This book is certainly Kabbalistic in nature, but that shouldn't prohibit anyone from picking this book up. It is written a very easy to understand manner that would make it acceptable to anyone interested in the "meaning of life." The author takes intimidating subjects like the sefirot or "tree of life," and explains their relevance to our lives in a manner suitable for even novices of scripture or anyone searching for some meaning for that matter. I can see coming back to this book time and time again for methods of approaching subjects of the Torah to those that reject its validity in our lives or those that like to portray it as irrelevant in today's society. This book could definitely be part of a class in a college or university and would even be suited for certain high schools. The depth of subject matter combined with the easy readability and the relatively short length make this a splendid book suitable for anyone remotely interested in the meaning of their life.

Rating:
Summary: Into the Heart
Review: The unfolding of the heart of Jewish spirituality, like removing petals from a rose, until the stem remains, a nourishing channel from the powers of life's soil, to be discovered in the sefirot of Yahweh (or, the mystical science of the Kabbalah which lies under the surface of Judiasm like a great anchoring mass under the tip of an iceberg).

This is a beautifully written look at thirteen tenants of Jewish spirituality, and how those aspects apply not only on a metaphysical level, but in one's daily life. It is recommended reading for anyone who can appreciate the primal elements of any long-standing philosophy, Jewish or otherwise, or for those who can appreciate literary poeticism. In short, perhaps the rose is the heart, and we only need to remove the petals one by one, to know each, and then to let them go, until only the force of life, viz., God, remains.

Rating:
Summary: Into the Heart
Review: This book gave me a some interesting insights into the Jewish faith. There are some great explanations on the concept of angels(no they aren't cherubs with wings) and that the idea that words themselves are sacred. The book however lacks detail in other areas (example: why are there only good or bad angels, but not neutral angels?). At other points the book gives you a little bit on reincarnation, but after you read about it you want an additional chapter on the subject!

I would also have liked a comparison to other religions, as the book tends to focus more on what something is rather than why. For example there is information on the tradition of not mixing meat and dairy, but I found myself still wondering why this was important? But to be fair the book does pack quite a bit into less than 200 pages.

So this book is good for opening doors on the subject, but don't expect a Cliff Notes overview or definitive encyclopedia. I did find it an enjoyable read, and liked the fact that it touched on a broad range of subjects which include Jewish views on faith, food and sex. On the whole it's a good quick read on a deep subject.

Rating:
Summary: Profound, deep, beautifully written
Review: This is a profound, deep, and as with most all of Adin Steinsaltz's work, a beautifully written book, although this one is even moreso than others. I'm not sure if it's the transcendent subject matter or Steinsaltz's gorgeous prose but the book is almost like poetry. You will read it again and again, and each time gain a greater understanding of what he's talking about -- there's a lot more to the "world" than meets the eye.

Rating:
Summary: For ALL Seekers: Distilled Essence of Jewish Belief
Review: Whether one is Jewish or not, this book clearly and succinctly provides important knowledge about esoteric Jewish beliefs for those who are seeking answers to spiritual questions. The discourse on "Worlds" includes abstract but not difficult to follow ideas of how energy, thoughts, actions and feelings affect other dimensions ("worlds"). The description of the domain of angels and their interaction in the human realm is very lucid and enlightening. The mysteries of the Kabbalah are touched upon in terms of how the ten Sefirot connect to organic Reality. The mystery of life is revealed as events in our world affect the nature and quality of relations, in terms of light and power in other worlds. The importance of the study and practice of mitzvot can not be over emphasized. It is words and deeds that help illuminate our soul and bring about blessings which make the world a better place. Through human will, the inersection of all worlds occurs, because the human being has the power to change the fixed order of things.

Rabbi Steinsaltz's description of that which is "Holy" is exceptionally clear. Holy means separation, that which is Holy is untouchable, distinctly "Other", and can not be understood or defined. He does however reassure us, despite the transcendental nature and distance of that which is Holy, human beings can become more receptive and open to Its influence. He connects time, space, and the soul of humans with the effects of the Sefirot in our realm, along with the performance of mitzvot. The results of all these connections and interacitons can be described as concentric circles or a helix of energy between realms. He describes how the spark of life in man, when expressed as a creative urge brings more divine influence into the world and thus expresses the image of G-d.

The two last chapters, "Repentance" and "Search for Oneself" complete this discourse of how Jewish thinking views the role of mankind in connecting with the Divine expression of G-d. The Torah is seen as a plan of human action, a guide for the proper ways of thinking, behaving, dreaming and desiring in the world. The higher levels of repentance, called Tikkun, are described. The purpose of genuine Tikkun is to correct the effects of past misdeeds by creating new patterns that outweigh past wrongs. From this correction, a new condition is created, as merits are derived from past transgressions. The Jewish thinking and discourse developed by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz in this book is a wholistic framework which describes a path of self-discovery. He answers many questions asked by human beings since the beginning of time, such as, 'Why am I here?' 'What is my purpose in life?' The unique separate existence of each person is expressed in the sentence, "Myriads of sparks reflect the primal light everyone of them with its own situation, its own set of circumstances." [p.148] On the other hand, for the person who seeks to connect to the world, other human beings and ultimately G-d, this book provides a special path to follow. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Rating:
Summary: For ALL Seekers: Distilled Essence of Jewish Belief
Review: Whether one is Jewish or not, this book clearly and succinctly provides important knowledge about esoteric Jewish beliefs for those who are seeking answers to spiritual questions. The discourse on "Worlds" includes abstract but not difficult to follow ideas of how energy, thoughts, actions and feelings affect other dimensions ("worlds"). The description of the domain of angels and their interaction in the human realm is very lucid and enlightening. The mysteries of the Kabbalah are touched upon in terms of how the ten Sefirot connect to organic Reality. The mystery of life is revealed as events in our world affect the nature and quality of relations, in terms of light and power in other worlds. The importance of the study and practice of mitzvot can not be over emphasized. It is words and deeds that help illuminate our soul and bring about blessings which make the world a better place. Through human will, the inersection of all worlds occurs, because the human being has the power to change the fixed order of things.

Rabbi Steinsaltz's description of that which is "Holy" is exceptionally clear. Holy means separation, that which is Holy is untouchable, distinctly "Other", and can not be understood or defined. He does however reassure us, despite the transcendental nature and distance of that which is Holy, human beings can become more receptive and open to Its influence. He connects time, space, and the soul of humans with the effects of the Sefirot in our realm, along with the performance of mitzvot. The results of all these connections and interacitons can be described as concentric circles or a helix of energy between realms. He describes how the spark of life in man, when expressed as a creative urge brings more divine influence into the world and thus expresses the image of G-d.

The two last chapters, "Repentance" and "Search for Oneself" complete this discourse of how Jewish thinking views the role of mankind in connecting with the Divine expression of G-d. The Torah is seen as a plan of human action, a guide for the proper ways of thinking, behaving, dreaming and desiring in the world. The higher levels of repentance, called Tikkun, are described. The purpose of genuine Tikkun is to correct the effects of past misdeeds by creating new patterns that outweigh past wrongs. From this correction, a new condition is created, as merits are derived from past transgressions. The Jewish thinking and discourse developed by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz in this book is a wholistic framework which describes a path of self-discovery. He answers many questions asked by human beings since the beginning of time, such as, 'Why am I here?' 'What is my purpose in life?' The unique separate existence of each person is expressed in the sentence, "Myriads of sparks reflect the primal light everyone of them with its own situation, its own set of circumstances." [p.148] On the other hand, for the person who seeks to connect to the world, other human beings and ultimately G-d, this book provides a special path to follow. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Rating:
Summary: Every Jew should read this book!
Review: With all the talk about angels lately, this book should be required reading for every Jew. In this thin but profound volume, Rabbi Steinsaltz, coming from an authentic position within both Orthodoxy and kabbalah, clearly explains the Jewish conception of angels and how they work on the four kaobbalistic levels of Action, Formation, Creation, and Emanation. Also explained is how the mitzvahs we do create new angels to raise up the universe's energy, and how a sin (heaven forbid) can drag the universal energies down. He then ties it all together by giving us a beautiful interpetation of the kiddush (wine blessing) ritual. After reading this book, you will never think of Torah as "mere laws" again!