The Shambhala Guide to Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism

January 1, 1998
Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Judaism, has a reputation for being cloaked in secrecy. The tradition, originating in biblical times, flowered in the nineteenth-century Hasidic community, but it was not until after World War II that writers such as Gershom Scholem brought Kabbalah into the modern era. Besserman does a fine job of making this incredibly complex topic accessible for a lay audience. Besides giving a history of Kabbalah and where it fits into the Jewish religion, she explores the Kabbalah universe and introduces meditation techniques. Of immense interest is her final chapter, in which she discusses the issue of the ancient tradition vis-a-vis the technological age. An extensive bibliography will guide seekers to more detailed information. If you have need of just one book on the topic of Kabbalah, this is an excellent choice. ((Reviewed January 1 & 15, 1998))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1998, American Library Association.)