This is the first translation with commentary of selections from The Zohar, the major text of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. This work was written in 13th-century Spain by Moses de Leon, a Spanish scholar.

'A classic, a landmark in modern Hebrew letters. Beautifully written and deeply learned ... the appearance of the long-awaited English translation is a cause for celebration.' - Elliot Ginsburg, Journal of Religion

Please see the Zohar Home Page for ancillary materials, including the publication schedule, press release, Aramaic text, questions, and answers.

This is the second volume of the Zohar's commentary on the first and second book of the Torah, Genesis and Exodus. The Zohar is a book that contains commentaries on the Torah. It is intended to guide people who have already achieved high spiritual degrees to the root of their souls. 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 book was written by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi), who lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, according to all Kabbalists. The purpose of The Zohar is to be a guide for people to attain the origin of their souls. This is a comprehensive edition of the Zohar in English. The translators were the Jewish scholars Maurice Simon and Harry Sperling.

The Zohar is a mystical commentary on the Torah that is the basis for Kabbalah. This is a difficult book to translate. Matt, who has taught Jewish mysticism at Stanford University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is working his way through the book, giving a comprehensive annotation that offers background and explanations of the text, both his own and those of other scholars.

The Book of Zohar (Book of Radiance), also known as The Zohar is one of the most mysterious and misunderstood compositions ever written. The awe, admiration, and even fear it has evoked over the years are unsurpassed. This book contains the secrets of the whole of Creation, but until recently these secrets were shrouded in a cloud of mystery and misconceptions. Now The Zohar is openly unfolding its wisdom throughout the world, to show humanity a way forward, as the book itself declares (VaYera, Item 460), When the days of the Messiah draw near, even infants will discover the secrets of the wisdom. The greatest Kabbalist of the 20th century, Rav Yehuda Ashlag (1884-1954) paved a new way for us by which we can reveal the secrets of The Zohar. He wrote the Sulam [Ladder] Commentary and the four introductions for The Zohar to help us come to know the forces that govern our lives, and teach us how we can assume control over our destinies. This book is an invitation to a wondrous journey to a higher world. The author, Kabbalist Dr Michael Laitman, wisely ushers us into the revelations of the Sulam commentary. In so doing, Laitman helps us fine-tune our thoughts as we read in The Zohar, to maximize the spiritual benefit derived from reading it. In addition to explaining The Book of Zohar, the book contains numerous inspiring quotes from The Zohar, specifically translated, edited, and compiled for easy reading and understanding of this powerful text.