The Secret Wisdom of The Qabalah: A Study in Jewish Mystical Thought

This small book is in no sense a treatise on the Qabalah. Instead, it is a speculative study on one of several secret doctrines which it contains, and, I believe, the key-doctrine of all the others. Should this be correct, then it follows that, unless this doctrine is understood, the whole symbolism of Jewish mysticism must remain obscure, and it is this mysticism, so it seems to me, which constitutes the foundations of Jewish culture and Jewish aspirations. Granted that this is so, then it follows that the idea elaborated in this book is one of considerable importance, even if many of my interpretations are faulty. Even if the whole of my readings are wrong, which is unlikely, this in itself does not necessarily invalidate the idea. For example: Columbus believed that the world was round and he set out to prove it. In doing so he discovered a new world, which, though it did not at the time actually confirm this idea, established a stepping-stone to the circumnavigation of the globe, which did confirm it in an obvious and uncontradictable way. So also in this book, I have set out to penetrate the mists of Qabalistic learning, not because I presume to be an adept in its mysteries, but because I suspect that they hide within them the idea of a new world conception, an idea which for 2000 years has been struggling to take form. Should I be right in this belief, then it follows that once this form consolidates from out of it will emanate a new ideology, which will exert so stupendous an influence upon our lives that it will constitute a world revolution. Nevertheless, I do not intend to touch upon this possibility in the present work; for all I will attempt is to show that the idea is valid. Therefore my object is solely to examine and explain it, in order to establish it as a fact. J. F. C. F.

Kabbalah has gained notoriety in recent years, thanks in large part to a publicity boost from celebrity adherents like Madonna. Yet the uninitiated may be surprised to learn that Jewish mysticism has been practiced for thousands of years. First published in 1929, The Holy Kabbalah is Arthur E. Waite's guide to these esoteric teachings. Divided into twelve books, with five appendices and a detailed index, this heavily researched volume traces the origins of Kabbalah and examines its influence (if any) on astrology, alchemy, and freemasonry. Including a close look at Kabbalistic literature, and sections on the Zohar and the Ten Sephiroth, this volume will serve as an excellent introduction to the secret tradition for those wanting to learn more about Kabbalah out of scholarship or curiosity. American-born British author ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE (1857-1942) was cocreator of the famous 1910 Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Among his numerous books are Book of Ceremonial Magic, Devil Worship in France, and New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.

The new big thing in terms of spiritual enlightenment, the powerful principles of the Kabbalah have attracted a swathe of celebrity followers ranging from Madonna, Jerry Hall, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger and Guy Ritchie - as well as over 3.5 million other dedicated students worldwide. Previously shrouded in secrecy, its teachings were passed down orally from generation to generation to only an elite few. Now, in THE POWER OF KABBALAH, Rabbi Yehuda Berg has created a user's manual for today's world, in which its wisdom is conveyed in a highly accessible, practical form for all to follow. For the first time, these secret teachings are brought to bear on the real world issues faced by us everyday - in our careers, with family and friends, and in our innermost personal thoughts. Rabbi Yehuda Berg sets out a practical collection of principles and instructions for improving our lives - helping us to get to where we really want to be emotionally, spiritually, financially and creatively in all aspects of our life. This truly spiritual book reveals not only what life means, but the actions we can each take to create the life we want and deserve.

An introduction to the ancient kabbalistic origins and meanings of the tarot • Reveals the intimate relationship of the tarot to the esoteric teachings of the Torah and the Kabbalah • Provides kabbalistic interpretations for all 78 traditional tarot cards • Includes a detailed kabbalistic reading and interpretation of the Tree of Life spread When the Greeks invaded Israel and forbade study of the Torah, the Jewish people began a secret method of Toranic study that appeared to be merely a simple way to fill time: playing cards. These first tarot decks enabled study of the Torah without detection. Once the Maccabees expelled the Greeks from Israel and Israel once again became a Jewish kingdom, tarot cards dropped from sight. Fifteen hundred years later, in response to Jewish disputations with Catholic theologians, political and religious persecutions, and ultimately the Inquisition, the cards resurfaced as a secret learning tool of the Torah. In Kabbalistic Tarot, Dovid Krafchow details how the true meaning of the tarot is locked within the Kabbalah. He shows the correspondence between the 22 Major Arcana cards and the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and how the four suits correspond to the four kabbalistic worlds of Briah, Yitzerah, Asiyah, and Atzilut. He describes the kabbalistic meanings of each of the 78 cards and their relations to the Torah and provides insight into the Tree of Life spread through several kabbalistic readings.