Description
Harry Sperling; Maurice Simon; Dr. J. Abelson
The Soncino Press, London, 1984. Hardcover 5 Volume Set. Second Edition. 2085 pages. Translated by Harry Sperling and Maurice Simon Introduction by Dr. J. Abelson. Ideal for the Kabbalistic scholar! As New/Fine.
This five-volume set is the only complete English rendering of The Zohar, the fundamental rabbinic work on Jewish mysticism that has fascinated readers for more than seven centuries. In addition to being the primary reference text for kabbalistic studies, this magnificent work is arranged in the form of a commentary on the Bible, bringing to the surface the deeper meanings behind the commandments and biblical narrative. As The Zohar itself proclaims: Woe unto those who see in the Law nothing but simple narratives and ordinary words …. Every word of the Law contains an elevated sense and a sublime mystery …. The narratives of the Law are but the raiment Thin which it is swathed.
The Zohar translated into English for the first time, is the classic work of Kabbalah, taking the form of a commentary on the Pentateuch and providing a significant textbook on Jewish mysticism. The work, written in both Hebrew and Aramaic, purports to be a record of discourses between Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai, of the second century of the common era, and contemporary mystical exegetes. Whilst the authorship of the Zohar has long been disputed, its considerable influence on the Jewish people to this day remains unquestioned. In fact, it reached a degree of importance comparable to the Bible and the Talmud. Within its several parts will be found The Book of the Veiled Mystery, consisting of chapters inserted in Exodus dealing with the Creation, the human soul, and the relationship between spirit and matter. Another section, The Secrets of the Torah provides treatment of Kabbalistic angelology and the mysteries clustering around the Divine Name and the Divine Unity. A third part, The True Shepherd, lays down definite precepts and rules of conduct. The fifth section concentrates on gematria, i.e., the permutations and combinations of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet and Hebrew numerals. But perhaps most significant is the Zohar’s own view of the correct method of biblical exegesis, in which it says: “Woe unto those who see in the Law nothing but simple narratives and ordinary words. Were this really the case then we could not, even today, compose a Law equally worthy of admiration. But it is quite otherwise . Every word of the Law contains an elevated sense and a sublime mystery . The narratives of the Law are but the raiment in which it is swathed. Do not mistake the raiment for the Law itself.” Since its compilation, few works have exercised such an influence on people as the Zohar. It was said, if a mortal had written it, he must have been inspired from above.
